Falklands oil row: UK military presence
Updated on 24 February 2010
As British oil drilling off the coast of the Falkland Islands causes fresh tension between the UK and Argentina, Channel 4 News separates truth from rumour about Britain's military presence in the region.
Gordon Brown insists Britain has made all the preparations necessary to ensure Falkland islanders are protected, as the oil row with Argentina intensifies.
Similarly, defence minister Bill Rammell has said the government will take "whatever steps are necessary" to keep islanders safe, because they have a "legitimate right" to develop an oil industry within their waters.
But what do these reassurances really mean?
There have been reports a new British naval task force has been sent to the South Atlantic isles, but this presence is not "new" according to information issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The MoD website states: "A deterrence force is maintained on the islands and in the South Atlantic, which comprises a range of land, air and maritime capabilities.
"We have stationed on the Falkland Islands a sizeable garrison of service personnel, four of the most up-to-date Air Defence aircraft in the Royal Air Force's fleet and other air assets."
(RAF Typhoon jets which replaced the older Tornado aircraft in the South Atlantic - Reuters)
The Ministry of Defence maintains the number of jets and warships close to the Falklands has not been increased as a result of the current dispute.
It says new Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft were brought in to replace the older Tornado F3s as a matter of routine upgrade. The Typhoons took over "quick reaction alert" duties, to police the skies above the Falkland Islands, in October last year.
At least one warship has been permanently stationed in the region for the last 28 years -Type 42 Destroyer HMS York is one of those which serves the south Atlantic, along with HMS Clyde.
RFA Wave Ruler refuels the other vessels and HMS Scott is used for antarctic survey work.
The MoD website adds: "None of this was the case in 1982, prior to the Argentine invasion, when the Falkland Islands were far less well defended."
So, no military change since the early eighties. But with Argentina getting animated over UK oil-drilling, it will certainly be reassuring to islanders that this military presence has not been scaled back in nearly three peaceful decades since the Falklands conflict.
