𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

“The Falkland Islands and their dependencies remain British territory – no aggression and no invasion can alter that simple fact.” Speaking in 1982, Margaret Thatcher justified the use of force to repel the Argentine invasion by stating we had a duty to protect the Falklanders’ right to decide their own future. She asked for and gained the UN’s backing. It recognises the right to self-determination, as does the US Constitution.

The Islanders have not changed their view that they wish to remain British. A 2013 referendum among the island’s 1,672 eligible voters saw all but three vote to remain an overseas territory. Their statement, following reports of the Pentagon email, was unequivocal both in their desire to remain British and their faith that Britain would defend their rights.

Britain’s defence of the Islands, 44 years ago, was launched against the backdrop of recent and planned cuts to the armed forces. Yet the task force that was mustered included 43 Royal Navy warships, 22 Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, and 62 merchant vessels taken up from trade. I can remember the efforts Portsmouth dockyard workers made to ready those vessels. Despite the size of the Falklands fleet, the bulk of the UK’s antisubmarine hunter-killer force and coastal defences remained in the Atlantic and home waters.

We had resilience. We were able to mount a successful response and keep other necessary operations going. That resilience was in the size and capabilities of the Royal Navy, but also in the men deployed – the physical effort asked of them, even before they saw action, was immense. Above all else, we had the political will, power, and courage to undertake it.

That action has become the litmus test for our current leadership. We ask ourselves, “Could we do it now? The current surface fleet comprises of 63 vessels. Only 15 are combat vessels. Only half of those are currently deployable. With those assets, our current ask of the Navy is in excess of 10 operations and multiple continuous patrols.

A change of US policy towards the sovereignty of the Falklands will not mean we will face a repeat of 1982, at least under Argentina’s current President. But it should be a reminder that the world can change fast. We owe it to all Brits, whether they reside in the UK or in her territories, that we are capable of defending them and their interests.

We should ignore any comments about what is settled history and law, but not the lesson it has to teach us at this important moment.