As tensions rise on the 30th anniversary of Britain’s war with Argentina, a formidable Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine is en route to the Falklands.
Armed with Tomahawk missiles, HMS Talent was sent as a display of strength following Argentina’s provocative actions regarding the disputed islands.
This week, the Trafalgar-class ‘hunter-killer’ submarine discreetly docked at a South African port.
Cape Town’s Simon’s Town dock serves as a crucial staging point for missions in the South Atlantic.
According to defense sources, preparations are underway for the submarine’s extended deployment around the Falklands.
It is scheduled to arrive before June 14, marking the day 30 years ago when a British task force concluded Argentina’s 74-day occupation of the islands.
An insider mentioned, ‘Final preparations are taking place in South Africa ahead of deployment to the South Atlantic. HMS Talent will visit the Falklands and maintain surveillance.’
‘That is her primary purpose – to safeguard Britain’s interests.’
This action comes in response to months of escalating tensions with Argentina, under the leadership of Cristina de Fernandez Kirchner, the first female president since Eva Peron.
A source asserted, ‘There’s considerable discussion surrounding the Falklands, but only one nation in this dispute possesses nuclear submarines.’
Argentina, which asserts sovereignty over the islands it refers to as Las Malvinas, accused Britain of behaving ‘aggressively and provocatively’ by deploying helicopter pilot Prince William for a standard tour.
The Duke of Cambridge is conducting a six-week tour of duty as an air-sea rescue pilot on the islands.
This year, Argentina claimed to have intelligence regarding the dispatch of a Vanguard submarine to the area and inquired if it was armed with nuclear warheads.
The nation incited international backlash by secretly filming an athlete training for the Olympics at the war memorial steps in the capital of the Falklands, Port Stanley.
The criticized advertisement, which Falklands survivor Simon Weston described as ‘tawdry and cowardly,’ concluded with the incendiary slogan: ‘To compete on English soil, we train on Argentine soil.’
Ms. Kirchner defended the video, arguing that it represented Argentine sentiment.
However, she faced embarrassment when it came to light that the advert’s star, hockey player Fernando Zylberberg, would miss the London 2012 Olympics.
DISPUTED ISLANDS SPARK CONFLICT FOR CENTURIES
1522: Discovery of the Falklands.
1766: Britain establishes a settlement, nearly provoking a war with Spain, which also claims the islands.
1776: Britain withdraws but maintains sovereignty.
1829: Argentina proclaims it holds ‘political and military command’ over the islands, known as Las Malvinas.
1833: Britain reasserts control.
1941: Argentina articulates its claim over the islands.
1967: Britain reveals plans to cede sovereignty, though islanders protest.
1976: Argentina creates a military presence on the islands.
1982: Argentina invades; Britain regains the islands during the Falklands War.
2007: Argentina restates its claim to the islands.
2012: Tensions escalate following Argentina’s provocative Olympic advertisement.
by Mike Hansom
