Posted on 12/27/2014 8:26:19 PM PST by sukhoi-30mki
DEFENCES on the Falklands are being reviewed after it emerged Russia plans to offer Argentina long-range bombers.
The aircraft, which Moscow will swap for beef and wheat, would be able to mount air patrols over Port Stanley.
Ministry of Defence officials fear Buenos Aires would take delivery of the planes well before the deployment in 2020 of the Navy’s 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and its F-35B fighters, leaving a “real window of vulnerability”.
Defence cuts have left the Falklands with just four RAF Typhoon fighters, Rapier surface-to-air missiles and fewer than 1,200 troops, supported by a naval warship that visits throughout the year.
President Putin’s visit to Argentina in July laid the groundwork for exchanging Russian military hardware for wheat, beef and other goods Moscow needs due to EU food embargoes.
The deal involves a lease/lend of 12 Sukhoi Su-24 supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft.
They are ageing but Nato still regards what it codenames “Fencers” as “super-fighters”, with their 2,000-mile range and laser-guided missiles.
Russia has been increasing its links with Argentina since 2010, when it provided two Mi17 assault helicopters which are in service with the 7th Air Force Brigade.
Buenos Aires needs to replace its decrepit fighter fleet but its attempts over the past two years have failed so far.
In October, defence minister Agustin Rossi announced the purchase of 24 Saab Gripen fighters, which were to be provided by Brazil, which has just purchased 36, but Whitehall squashed the deal as some of the jet’s parts are made in the UK Tensions over the islands resurfaced after exploratory seabed drilling revealed the promise of an oil bonanza.
Last night Air Commodore Andrew Lambert, of the UK National Defence Association, said: “The Ministry of Defence should be worried.
"It always trots out the mantra of reviewing force levels but the only real solution is to deploy a sizeable force of Typhoons, at least a squadron, to buy us time to formulate a proper reinforcement package.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “We regularly review force levels around the world, though we wouldn’t comment on the detail of this for obvious reasons.”
Basically it is the Soviet version of our F-111. The UK made a mistake, it should have kept their Harrier carriers. They need to bring back their V-Bomber forces with the Vulcans and Valiants as well as their Nimrod.
Does this mean the Argentine Peso makes the ruble look stable?
I remember taking some pictures of several British frigates leaving Hampton Roads after stopping off, apparently for supplies before going on to the Falklands.
I suspect Obama would forbid them doing so but would help the Argentinians.
I actually think Argentina has some reasonable claim to the islands but since the citizens living there want to remain British, that should be the deciding factor.
Weakness invites aggression. Enjoy your national healthcare and all those other government goodies Britain. You might not be able to keep the Falklands. I hate to say it, but you can’t count on the U.S. either. Remember, our commander in chief calls them the Malvinas Islands so you know where his sympathy lies. I didn’t vote for him twice so don’t blame me....
The U.K. will never be able to do again (with the Falklands) what they did last time. They better act on this one soon, to beef up defenses. The U.K. won’t be able to take it back again!
Sounds like Pooty Putin is trying to get whatever he can before the Chinks clean out Argentina, and Brazil in that BRIC scamola.
They don’t look much of a match against Euro fighters, and by the time they’re ready to use them, the carriers should be operational. Assuming the deal goes through. In any case, the Argies couldn’t build up a force capable of taking the islands without attracting the attention of British intelligence, who would react by heavily reinforcing the islands within 24 to 48 hours.
Screw Argentina, even the Brazilians say they are stupid as dirt.
As one of our British Cousins put it, National Health ate the Royal Navy.
.
How does one gets the UK distracted while Russia threatens Europe.
Yep, and uncontrolled borders and the British welfare state is eating everything else. The fate of Britain is the same as ours unless we reclaim our sovereignty.
...and yet UK Conservatives are proud of the NH spending, to the point of chiding Labour about it. Go figure.
This may be more serious than a lot of us think..the lunatic in charge is beyond nuts....this could start another major conflict. Id not be shocked to see an invasion of the Falklands...soon.
...long-range bombers...which Moscow will swap for beef and wheat...Trading finished goods for raw materials was of concern in the Roosevelt state dep't prior to December 1941 -- Germany was grabbing a large chunk of the Latin American market at the expense of US exports.
Russia wants food and has nothing but weapons to trade
Argentina has a food surplus and takes the only thing offered, weapons, in trade.
To conclude the Falklands is in trouble is to me a leap in logic
Ha! May as well ask them to bring back their Lancaster bombers as well.
The “Conservative” government of David Cameron won’t cut spending on health or foreign aid, so everyone else has to suffer from police and fire to military.
Police cuts of five percent were recently announced and local government budgets for next year are also cut a few percent.
I thought I read somewhere that Argentina finally cut off dependence from nation-sucking big banks. I would think turning to barter among nations would be the best way to break off from global manipulation of economies.
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