Who knows Stevo, but the supposed SU-24 Fencer part of story has been widely labeled as a hoax by most serious news agencies some time ago, even the argentine Ministry of defence denied it (although that's no guarantee of evidence). Remember a couple of years ago they were going to purchase SAAB Gripens, not forgetting the Argentine Nuclear Sub story, all coming from a country that can't afford to support the men and equipment they already have.
As has been said before, until Argentina seriously starts putting money into their military, it's hard to see how they could achieve much at all, and building up a capable force from practically nothing is not going to happen overnight.

 

Are you implying that the UK has the resources to expel a weak Argentine force?

 

One can read the article in a less sensationalist manner:

They are part of a force of more than 1,000 soldiers being prepared for duty in the south Atlantic and will be sent out in five tranches of 150 to 300.

Suppose the MOD are just sending groups of 150 soldiers and Marines on exercises in a theatre where they may at some time be required to operate.
It would make sense to ensure that the troops are aware of the terrain, the climate and geographical limits that they may be expected to work in at some future unspecified date.
It would also ensure a turn around in cover while maintaining an effective and high profile defence.

That seems like a good idea to me.

 

These exercises do take place on a somewhat irregular basis, especially during the Falklands Summer (i.e. now).
If they really want to push the panic button they can get a battalion strength unit and a squadron of RAF jets there in 18 hours, never mind drip feeding manpower using the timetabled air bridge flights.
So all in all, a total non story as far as I'm concerned.

 

good day stevo.sm.today,05:37.re:falklands on high alert???i think its just media hipe.as for russian planes being leased.thats possible.the bolshes want to get there hands on the island.to use as a naval base,but what bothers me is to get modern.(or the latest)rocket protection will take 5 years to install.it could be all over by then,hope its all bull.regards ben27

 

Is that why the Russians were flying through the channel just recently. Testing our defences ?.

 

Nope, but they have the resources to make sure the RGs don't bother leaving home....

Argentina has plenty of domestic problems just now... and foreign adventures ( which they can't mount anyway) won't fix em...

 

Nick, I would definitely say that, after all this is not 1982. But I think Cisco sums its up more accurately.

 

Strange is it not that both the British and Argentinian Troops work well together under the Blue Beret in Cyprus which includes clearing the Minefields that still exist.

 

Just a pity they can't get the Argentinians to remove the mines they laid themselves a bit closer to home!
The ongoing costs involved in keeping up with those unexpectedly found in the FI is incredible, never mind clearing the known minefields, some of which are full of plastic type mines which can only be detected with Ultrasound technology. That of course is assuming they haven't migrated elsewhere in the peaty ground/along the beach, as they often do.

 

I was surprised that there were still minefields in Cyprus when my eldest told me along with brand new cars, now old new cars in the DMZ.

 

If only it were possible to get the Argentines involved in clearing up their own mess.
But, just imagine the reaction from the Casa Rosada: "Oh, so you are inviting our troops onto the Islands? That means they have a right to be there, does it? - Happy to help, but obviously the EOD team will have to be quite large......B\)

 

If it was in the Daily Express it MUST be true. When have they ever exaggerated/misrepresented the truth in order to sell newspapers?

 

All,
Argentina is always in dispute with one or more of its neighbours at anyone time, indeed I believe that they owned the longest minefield in the world, 1,200 miles along the border with Chile....?

Yours aye,


slick

 

Anybody seen an ostrich recently?

 

I've Seen a few dinosaurs!