Ministers have been accused of downgrading air defences for the Falkland Islands – just as Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw his support for Britain’s sovereignty and Argentina is expanding its air force.
Critics warn the islands will be without air-to-air refuelling capacity for the first time since the 1980s, when Margaret Thatcher sent the Task Force to defeat Argentina.
Saturday marked the 44th anniversary of British forces recapturing South Georgia, which Mrs Thatcher greeted by declaring outside No 10: ‘Just rejoice at that news.’
RAF sources confirmed the sole Voyager refuelling aircraft based on the islands had been redeployed amid the Iran crisis. It potentially means RAF Typhoons could not do around-the-clock air patrols for the 1,600 mile round trip to South Georgia.
It comes after an internal Pentagon email suggested the US was considering options to punish Nato allies it believed had failed to support its war on Iran – including reviewing its backing for British sovereignty over the Falklands.
No 10 responded by saying: ‘The Falkland Islands have previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining a UK overseas territory, and we’ve always stood behind the islanders’ right to self-determination and the fact that sovereignty rests with the UK.’
The cut in RAF refuelling capability comes as Buenos Aires is spending more than £220 million on 24 refurbished F-16s fighter jets from the Danish air force, and seeking to procure two KC-135R Stratotankers from the US for air-to-air refuelling.
President Javier Milei has pledged to strengthen the nation’s military forces and, as part of his election campaign, stated his desire for Argentina to regain sovereignty of the Falklands.
Pictured: The Royal Air Force's Airbus Voyager. RAF sources confirmed the sole Voyager refuelling aircraft based on the islands had been redeployed amid the Iran crisis
A Typhoon jet landing in the Falklands. The lack of the Voyager potentially means RAF Typhoons could not do around-the-clock air patrols for the 1,600 mile round trip to South Georgia
A senior RAF source said: ‘If the Argentines decide they want to test our defences we would be hard pressed to mount a constant combat air patrol with no ability to mount air-to-air refuelling. We need more aircraft and more pilots’.
An RAF source told Defence Eye: ‘This is not a permanent posture for Mount Pleasant and reflects the current demands from other activity, including around the Middle East. There is an intent to have Voyager support to the Falklands when appropriate’.
But Tory Armed Forces spokesman Mark Francois said: ‘Withdrawing this
tanker aircraft sends all the wrong signals, particularly in light of President Trump’s recent comments.’
The Ministry of Defence responded last night by saying: ‘The UK’s commitment to the defence of the Falklands is unwavering – and our ability to defend the islands remains strong with fast jets and sophisticated air defences.
‘Any redeployment of assets is routine and to support operational priorities, and we are constantly assessing our asset deployment.’