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Falklands fury as islands left unguarded for the first time since 1982 war
The Sun, U.K. ^ | April 02, 2016 | SAM CHRISTIE

Posted on 04/02/2016 5:22:59 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki

THE Falklands Islands have been left without the protection of a British warship for the first time since the conflict 34 years ago.

The Royal Navy has provided a "permanent presence" in the South Atlantic since British troops invaded the islands in 1982.

But a manpower crisis, a need to deploy ships closer to home and a series of engine problems with the Navy's Type 45 destroyers has led to the islands being left unguarded.

No warship has been dispatched since a frigate returned from the region in November, last year.

Shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry branded the situation as "unacceptable" and demanded the Ministry of Defence act immediately.

She told the Independent: "In one area after another we have seen the impact of the savage cuts made to our armed forces since David Cameron came to office, but even by those low standards, it is unacceptable that the government is failing to provide the protection for the Falkland Islands that has been promised, and that that Islands have a right to expect as British citizens.

"The Ministry of Defence must rectify the situation immediately.”

The row comes days after David Cameron defended the islander's rights following a United Nations commission recommended that Argentina's territory should be expanded by to surround the islands

The Navy's fleet six Type 45 destoryers, which includes HMS Dauntless, has been plagued by reliability issues over the past few years.

Argentina lost a brief, bloody war in 1982 with Britain after its troops invaded the islands.

British armed forces lost 255 troops in the conflict.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: argentina; conservativeparty; davidcameron; emilythornberry; falklands; malvinas; royalnavy; uk; warship
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1 posted on 04/02/2016 5:23:00 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki

History repeating itself. When the Roman Empire’s problems became insurmountable at home, they abandoned their reach in the British Isles. There was some semblance of order for a generation or so. In the 4th century AD there was total collapse and Britain was over-run by Germanic and other invaders. Now Britain can’t defend anything because first it has to defend itself, if they do.


2 posted on 04/02/2016 5:32:48 AM PDT by grania
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To: sukhoi-30mki

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/world/argentina-navy-shoots-holes-in-chinese-boat-fishing-illegally-in-national-waters-sinking-vessel

Argentina’s navy is feeling lucky these days too


3 posted on 04/02/2016 5:36:58 AM PDT by ameribbean expat
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To: grania

Maybe 0 will lend a helping hand to the Argies so they can take over?


4 posted on 04/02/2016 5:37:14 AM PDT by wally_bert (I didn't get where I am today by selling ice cream tasting of bookends, pumice stone & West Germany)
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To: grania

And Argentina needs a distraction from domestic issues


5 posted on 04/02/2016 5:37:46 AM PDT by Broker (Perfect Storm❓)
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To: grania
Solution is simple, arm the residents of the Falklands to the teeth. Let them have what it takes to prevent Argentina from even thinking about it. Fixed emplacements.
6 posted on 04/02/2016 5:38:41 AM PDT by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: ameribbean expat

Ohhh, Not very smart of Argentina.

ChiComs are similar to Russians. Tease the dragons tail too much and get burned. Neither is very predictable.


7 posted on 04/02/2016 5:40:33 AM PDT by Texas Fossil ((Texas is not where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind & Attitude!))
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To: Texas Fossil

A home guard with up to date weapons and gear and a few advisors and trainers.


8 posted on 04/02/2016 5:46:29 AM PDT by wally_bert (I didn't get where I am today by selling ice cream tasting of bookends, pumice stone & West Germany)
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To: ameribbean expat

IF the Royal Navy seems to be in bad shape, the Argentine navy is in a mess. The Royal Navy has received a thorough qualitative upgrade; the Argies pretty much are at the same state that they were 34 years ago.


9 posted on 04/02/2016 5:49:41 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
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To: sukhoi-30mki
Unfortunately our brand spanking new shiny warships keep breaking down.

Former navy head says Type 45’s engine woes are ‘systemic’

10 posted on 04/02/2016 5:50:22 AM PDT by protest1
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To: grania
In the 4th century AD there was total collapse and Britain was over-run by Germanic and other invaders.

And today, Britain is being over run by muslim invaders.

11 posted on 04/02/2016 5:54:23 AM PDT by mountn man (The Pleasure You Get From Life, Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: mountn man
And today, Britain is being over run by muslim invaders.

Islamic slime occupied Spain from 711 AD to 1492, and the stench still remains.

The longer we wait to purge the worse it will be.

12 posted on 04/02/2016 5:58:28 AM PDT by catfish1957 (I display the Confederate Battle Flag with pride in honor of my brave ancestors who fought w/ valor)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
IF the Royal Navy seems to be in bad shape, the Argentine navy is in a mess. The Royal Navy has received a thorough qualitative upgrade; the Argies pretty much are at the same state that they were 34 years ago.

At least when they started it 34 years ago, the Argies had a second hand, 48 year old, run down light cruiser.

13 posted on 04/02/2016 5:59:23 AM PDT by mountn man (The Pleasure You Get From Life, Is Equal To The Attitude You Put Into It)
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To: sukhoi-30mki
HMS Clyde, a modified "River" class patrol vessel is still there but it is not a major warship. HMS Clyde was specifically modified for duty in the Falklands.

HMS Clyde


14 posted on 04/02/2016 6:01:35 AM PDT by protest1
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To: grania

“Shadow defence secretary Emily Thornberry”

Something is wrong about that sentence. I can’t seem to put my finger on it.


15 posted on 04/02/2016 6:04:05 AM PDT by Flavious_Maximus
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To: Flavious_Maximus

What is wrong is that shadows do not need defending, because they are not real things.


16 posted on 04/02/2016 6:14:12 AM PDT by exDemMom (Current visual of the hole the US continues to dig itself into: http://www.usdebtclock.org/)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

This exactly the type of mission cruisers were designed for. Independent cost effective force projection.


17 posted on 04/02/2016 6:33:12 AM PDT by Jimmy Valentine (DemocRATS - when they speak, they lie; when they are silent, they are stealing the American Dream)
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To: mountn man

Yes the good old USS Phoenix. She was old and probably not well maintained. But. If she had gotten loose with her automatic 6” guns the Brits would have been in real trouble.


18 posted on 04/02/2016 6:37:38 AM PDT by Jimmy Valentine (DemocRATS - when they speak, they lie; when they are silent, they are stealing the American Dream)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

But do we know what is beneath the water? The crew of the General Belgrano found out. The hard way.


19 posted on 04/02/2016 6:38:24 AM PDT by donozark (Vote Bernie Sanders: Because 100 million dead just isn't enough...)
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To: sukhoi-30mki

***since British troops invaded the islands in 1982. ***

Say what? In a British publication!

Britain has controlled the Falklands since before 1833!
Argentina invaded in 1982, requiring a British expedition to recapture the isles.


20 posted on 04/02/2016 6:48:18 AM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar
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