The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory and, as such, rely on the United Kingdom for the guarantee of their security. The other UK territories in the South Atlantic, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, fall under the protection of British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI), formerly known as British Forces Falkland Islands (BFFI), which includes commitments from the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.[4] They are headed by the Commander, British Forces South Atlantic Islands (CBFSAI),[5] a brigadier-equivalent appointment that rotates among all three services (Navy, British Army, and RAF).

British Forces South Atlantic Islands
The British Joint Forces flag flown in the Falklands[1]
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
BranchJoint Service (Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force)
Sizec. 1,300 to 1,700 military and civilian personnel (as of 2022)[2]
Part ofMinistry of Defence
Commanders
Commander British Forces South Atlantic IslandsBrigadier Dan Duff[3]
Aircraft flown
FighterEurofighter Typhoon
TransportAirbus A400M Atlas C1, Voyager KC2 & (civilian-crewed) Sikorsky S-92, AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters

Argentina invaded and took control of the Falklands on 2 April 1982. After recapturing the territory in June 1982, the UK invested heavily in the defence of the islands, the centrepiece of which was a new airfield at RAF Mount Pleasant, 27 miles (43 km) west of Stanley.[6] The base was opened in 1985, and became fully operational in 1986.[7]

Falkland Islands Defence Force

edit

The Falkland Islands maintains its own part-time volunteer force, the Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF), previously known as the Falkland Islands Volunteer Corps. Although this unit existed in 1982 as a reinforcement for the Governor's detachment of Royal Marines, it did not play any part in the main conflict during the war of 1982, its members having spent the duration of the hostilities under house arrest by the Argentines after their surrender on the Argentine capture of the islands.[8][9][10] The FIDF is now a platoon to company-strength light infantry unit with a permanent training Warrant Officer seconded from the Royal Marines. The FIDF operates in a number of roles and is fully integrated into the defence scheme for the islands.[11]

FIDF soldiers can deploy aboard the Falklands Government Fisheries Protection vessel for sovereignty protection duties if the vessel requires an armed presence. As of 2023, the Falklands Government fisheries protection vessel is the FPV Lilibet, which arrived in the islands in April and is tasked with policing the exclusive economic zone around the islands.[12] (Another vessel, MV Pharos, is contracted by the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) for the purpose of sovereignty protection in its waters).[13]

Lilibet is named in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and has been leased to the Falklands Government by Seagull Maritime Limited for fifteen years.[14] Civilian-crewed, the vessel is a Damen Stan 5009 patrol ship with a maximum speed of up to 29.5 knots (54.6 km/h; 33.9 mph) and a crew of up to 28 persons.[15] She has an endurance of 30 days, though sixty days of provisions can be carried. If patrolling at 10 knots she can reportedly operate for 42 days with a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles. She is fitted with two Browning .50 caliber heavy machine gun mounts though she routinely deploys unarmed.[16]

 
FPV Lilibet on patrol in the South Atlantic, July 2023

Royal Navy

edit
 
HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 guided missile destroyer.

RAF Mount Pleasant has its own port facility[17] called Mare Harbour, operated by Naval Party 2010 (NP2010). The Royal Navy deploys a River-class offshore patrol vessel, HMS Forth, in the south Atlantic and the ship is the principal naval presence permanently close to the islands.[18] In addition, an Ice Patrol Ship, HMS Protector, is on station close to Antarctica during the regional summer months.[19][20]

Prior to 2015 a major warship and RFA vessel commonly carried out the Atlantic Patrol Task (South) mission, which provides for "a maritime presence to protect the UK's interests in the region". The Type 42 destroyer HMS Edinburgh took over the South Atlantic Patrol Task in October 2006,[21] replacing HMS Southampton. Prior to Southampton's deployment in August 2005, the role was filled by HMS Cardiff, which was decommissioned on return to the UK. As of February 2010, the on-station warship was the Type 42 destroyer HMS York. In late April 2010, York was relieved by the Type 23 frigate HMS Portland. In August 2010, Portland was relieved by the Type 42 destroyer HMS Gloucester. On 21 April 2011, York returned to the East Cove Military Port in the Falkland Islands, beginning patrol duties for the islands.[22] October 2011 saw the arrival of the Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose, generating a statement from UNASUR (Union of South American Nations). The Type 45 guided missile destroyer HMS Dauntless replaced Montrose as of April 2012.[23] In the second half of 2013, HMS Richmond was deployed on the Royal Navy's south Atlantic patrol duty.[24] Portland was deployed in January 2014, followed by HMS Lancaster in 2015 and Portland again in late 2016/early 2017 on the return leg of a longer deployment to the Gulf and Indian Ocean.[25] As of 2024, Portland's deployment was the last time a frigate deployed to the Falklands.[26][27]

 
Former HMS Torbay, a Trafalgar-class nuclear submarine

Since 2015, with the commitment to deploy a destroyer or frigate scaled back, HMS Forth has been the principal Royal Navy asset permanently in the south Atlantic having replaced HMS Clyde in 2020. HMS Forth is expected to be tasked to the south Atlantic mission for a decade or more.[28] HMS Clyde returned to Britain in late 2019 for decommissioning, after itself having relieved the Castle-class patrol vessels HMS Dumbarton Castle and HMS Leeds Castle which maintained the patrol vessel commitment on rotation up to 2007.[29][30] HMS Medway temporarily replaced Forth in 2023 during her refit.[31]

The Royal Navy also has Trafalgar and Astute-class nuclear submarines that it can deploy to the area, though such deployments are classified and likely rare. In February 2012, a Trafalgar-class submarine may have been deployed to the Falkland Islands.[32] The threat posed by submarines to hostile ships was demonstrated during the Falklands War when HMS Conqueror sank the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano. The Royal Navy's current fleet submarines also carry BGM-109 Tomahawk cruise missiles, which have a range of 1,500 miles (2,400 km).

British Army

edit
 
Sky Sabre: radar targeting system, command and control and missile launcher vehicles

The British Army maintains a garrison on the Falkland Islands based at Mount Pleasant. The force is made up of a roulement infantry company, an engineer squadron, a signals unit (part of the Joint Communications Unit – see below), a logistics group and supporting services.[33][34]

Ground-based air defence of RAF Mount Pleasant is provided by the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery of the British Army's 7th Air Defence Group.[35] Up until 2021, the detachment was equipped with the Rapier FSC surface-to-air missile system. Rapier has been replaced with the new Sky Sabre surface-to-air missile system incorporating an expanded capability.[36] Sky Sabre achieved informal initial operating capability at RAF Mount Pleasant in October 2021.[37][38] In the same month Rapier was fully withdrawn from service on the Falklands.[39]

The British Army contributed to the Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal group in the Falkland Islands, providing 33 Engineer Regiment (EOD) and RLC EOD teams.[40] This was subsequently reduced to a team of 11 personnel.[41] In November 2020, it was announced that all remaining land mines had been cleared from the islands.[42]

Main article: Land mines in the Falkland Islands

Royal Air Force

edit
 
Eurofighter Typhoon
 
Voyager KC2
 
A400M

Royal Air Force elements in the Falklands are under the command of No. 905 Expeditionary Air Wing which, as of 2023, consists of two flights: Typhoon multi-role fighters of No. 1435 Flight RAF and Voyager KC.2/A400M Atlas aircraft of No. 1312 Flight RAF.

RAF Mount Pleasant was built in 1985–86, able to accept large trans-Atlantic aircraft such as the Lockheed TriStar.[43] The TriStar was initially purchased mainly for the UK-Falklands route; until their entry into service, the UK used leased 747s and 767s.[44] As of early 2023, all major RAF transport aircraft are able to fly into RAF Mount Pleasant, as may be required. Utilizing RAF Ascension Island, a station which reports to the Commander BFSAI, these aircraft maintain direct air links between the U.K. and the Falklands.

Four Tranche 1 Typhoon fighter aircraft of No. 1435 Flight RAF provide air defence for the islands and surrounding territories.[45]

Originally Lockheed Hercules C.1K were used for air-to-air refuelling missions, but these were later replaced by a VC10. On 31 August 2013 the VC10 was temporarily replaced by a TriStar K.1, which was itself replaced by a Voyager KC.2 in March 2014.[46] The Voyager is deployed in the islands for air refueling operations but is unable to fit within a hangar at RAF Mount Pleasant due to its size.[47]

Initially, a C-130 Hercules was used for transport, search and rescue and maritime patrol until replaced with an A400M Atlas aircraft in April 2018. The aircraft is used for both regional operations, as well as for providing support for the British Antarctic Survey. In August 2022, an RAF A400M aircraft flying from RAF Ascension Island was refueled for the first time by a Voyager KC.2 aircraft flying out of RAF Mount Pleasant.[48] In January 2023, an RAF A400M Atlas supported by a Voyager tanker aircraft, dropped the first of 300 fuel drums as part of a tasking to resupply the Sky Blu facility of the British Antarctic Survey.[49]

For a lengthy period, the helicopters of No. 1564 Flight (formerly No. 78 Squadron) provided tactial air transport support. The Sea Kings carried out short and medium range search and rescue missions, until their retirement. AAR Corp was awarded a contract for helicopter search and rescue services in the Falkland Islands to replace 1564 Flight, using AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters in the role from 2016.[50] In March 2015, the UK announced that a pair of Chinooks would be stationed in the Falklands again, the first of which started flying in June 2016.[51][52] 1564 Flight disbanded in March 2016[53] being subsequently replaced by the Chinooks of No. 1310 Flight.

These military helicopters only remained on the islands for a short period and, as of 2022, Chinooks are no longer based in the Falklands.[54] In lieu of this military capability, the firms AAR Corp and British International Helicopters (part of Bristow Helicopters), jointly provide two AW189s (in the Search and Rescue role) and two Sikiorsky S92A helicopters (in the support role) from RAF Mount Pleasant.[55][56][57] The latter helicopter replaced the formerly used S61N helicopter in 2023.[58]

There were initially two air defence radar units, both located on West Falkland; No. 7 Signals Unit at Byron Heights and No. 751 Signals Unit at Mount Alice.[59] Byron Heights and Mount Alice were later augmented by a further radar installation on Mount Kent, designated No. 303 Signals Unit. No. 7 Signals Unit and No. 751 Signals Unit were eventually disbanded and all three radar installations were reduced to Remote Radar Heads under the control of No. 303 Signals Unit who moved into a purpose-built operations building at Mount Pleasant Complex to form the Control and Reporting Centre. The building was officially opened on 4 October 1998 by Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns, then Chief of the Air Staff.

Organisation

edit
 
Bristow Helicopters Sikorsky S-92
 
AgustaWestland AW189

Joint Service

edit

The Joint Communications Unit Falkland Islands (JCUFI) provides the electronic warfare and command and control systems for the Royal Navy, Army and RAF stationed there. It incorporates the Army's signals unit and RAF personnel.[62]

Commanders

edit

The following have served as Commander British Forces Falkland Islands/South Atlantic Islands:

British Forces South Atlantic Islands installations

edit
Name Region Opened Description
Mount Pleasant Complex[81] East Falkland 1985 HQ for British Force South Atlantic Islands with approximately 1000 Joint Service personnel permanently deployed.
Falklands Defence Force HQ, Stanley[82] East Falkland
Mare Harbour East Falkland Military port for RAF Mount Pleasant; facility for Royal Navy ships in the South Atlantic
RRH Mount Alice West Falkland One of two early-warning and airspace control radar sites on West Falkland.
RRH Byron Heights West Falkland One of two early-warning and airspace control radar sites on West Falkland.
RRH Mount Kent East Falkland An early-warning and airspace control radar site on East Falkland.

See also

edit

Sources

edit
  1. ^ Flags of the World. "Falkland Islands". Archived from the original on 16 October 2006. Retrieved 23 September 2006.
  2. ^ Jones, Henry (14 June 2022). "What is the British military presence in the Falkland Islands?". Independent. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  3. ^ https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/mount-pleasant-complex/
  4. ^ Permanent Joint Headquarters. "British Forces South Atlantic Islands". Archived from the original on 13 May 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  5. ^ Falkland Islands Information Portal. "Acronyms". Archived from the original on 19 June 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  6. ^ "Distance between London united kingdom and Port Stanley falkland islands (islas malvinas)". mapcrow.info. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  7. ^ Falkland Islands Government. "Defence". Archived from the original on 5 May 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  8. ^ Falkland Islands Information Portal. "Falkland Islands Defence Force: 150 years of Voluntary Service". Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  9. ^ Land Forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth. "Falkland Islands Defence Force". Archived from the original on 27 May 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  10. ^ Falkland Islands Rifle Association. "History". Archived from the original on 13 December 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  11. ^ "Small but mighty: Meet the 40-strong Falklands army". Forces.net. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  12. ^ "LILIBET (Patrol Vessel)". Marine Traffic. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  13. ^ "South Georgia ensures environmental protection for its maritime zone until 2028". Merco Press. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Falklands new fisheries patrol vessel name: "Lilibet" in honor of Queen Elizabeth". MercoPress.
  15. ^ "Stan Patrol 5009" (PDF). Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  16. ^ "New Falklands Fisheries Patrol Vessel (FPV) LILIBET to Impact Crime and Abuse at Sea". Human Rights at Sea. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  17. ^ Falkland Islands Portal. "Defence". Archived from the original on 26 April 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  18. ^ "HMS Forth". MoD. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  19. ^ "In focus: HMS Protector – the Royal Navy's Antarctic patrol ship | Navy Lookout". 7 May 2019.
  20. ^ Michael Powell. HMS Protector will be Endurance replacement. Archived 15 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine The News. Portsmouth, 11 January 2011
  21. ^ MOD. "HMS Edinburgh News". Archived from the original on 1 November 2006. Retrieved 6 November 2006.
  22. ^ "York knuckles down to Falklands mission – finally". 21 April 2011. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011.
  23. ^ "HMS Dauntless destroyer deployed to Falklands by navy". BBC News. 31 January 2012.
  24. ^ "Falklands historic events commemorated by Atlantic Patrol HMS Richmond". Merco Press. 29 December 2013.
  25. ^ "Ice, ice Navy as HMS Portland visits South Georgia". Royal Navy. 16 January 2017.
  26. ^ Diver, Tony (2 February 2024). "Royal Navy scraps major warship patrols around the Falklands". The Telegraph.
  27. ^ "A history – the Royal Navy's Falkland Islands patrol vessels". Navy Lookout. November 2019.
  28. ^ "Falkands-bound Forth heralds new era for patrol ships". MoD. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  29. ^ "Sailors and Royal Marines keep Britain safe over Christmas". Royal Navy. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  30. ^ "HMS Clyde's last drive home for Christmas". Royal Navy. 20 December 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  31. ^ "Falklands patrol HMS Forth on maintenance; replaced by HMS Medway". mercopress.com. Merco Press. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Navy 'sends submarine to Falklands'". 5 February 2012. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012.
  33. ^ British Army. "Deployments South Atlantic Islands". Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  34. ^ Forces Net (14 June 2021). "Everything you need to know about British forces in the Falklands".
  35. ^ "7th Air Defence Group | The British Army". Archived from the original on 4 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Sky Sabre: Inside the UK's missile defence system". 25 April 2018.
  37. ^ "Sky Sabre enters UK service, replacing Rapier". Janes. 28 January 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  38. ^ "Letter from MoD to Mr. Marc Goldberg concerning status of Sky Sabre system" (PDF). whatdotheyknow.com. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  39. ^ British Army, Soldier Magazine for October 2021. Ministry of Defence, London. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  40. ^ Royal Engineers. "Joint Services Explosive Ordnance Disposal in the Falkland Islands". Archived from the original on 11 June 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  41. ^ "Minutes" (PDF). The Royal Engineers Association. 29 January 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  42. ^ "Landmines cleared from Falkland Islands 38 years after conflict". Reuters. 10 November 2020.
  43. ^ a b Major General P. E. de la C. de la Billiere CBE DSO MC (1986). "The Falkland Islands: The strategic and military aspects". The RUSI Journal. 131 (1): 13–16. doi:10.1080/03071848608522785.
  44. ^ Royal Air Force. "Mount Pleasant, Falkland Islands". Archived from the original on 20 June 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  45. ^ "What UK military forces are based at the Falkland Islands?". Air Force Technology. 29 March 2024.
  46. ^ Buckle, Mike (24 March 2014). "RAF TriStar Retirement". Aeroresource.
  47. ^ "Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft". theyworkforyou.com. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  48. ^ Varley, Len (1 August 2022). "RAF Atlas C1 aircraft refuelled over South Atlantic for first time". Aviation Source. Archived from the original on 25 December 2022. Retrieved 25 December 2022.
  49. ^ Allison, George (1 February 2023). "RAF conduct Antarctic resupply mission". UK Defence Journal.
  50. ^ "AAR Awarded 10-Year Search & Rescue Contract in the Falkland Islands by UK MOD – General News – News – AAR Corporate". aarcorp.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  51. ^ "Britain to boost Falklands Islands defences". BBC News. 24 March 2015.
  52. ^ "Janes | Latest defence and security news".
  53. ^ "Falkland Islanders Say Farewell to the Sea King | Forces TV". Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  54. ^ "Royal Air Force".
  55. ^ "Military Contracts | British International Helicopters". Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  56. ^ "AW189 Starts SAR for UK MoD in South Atlantic". helis.com. 1 April 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  57. ^ "Bristow Completes Acquisition of British International Helicopter Services Limited". Bristow. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  58. ^ "New Sikorsky Bristow helicopter unloaded at Falklands' MPA". Merco Press. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  59. ^ David Gledhill (2014). Fighters over the Falklands: Defending the Islanders' Way of Life. Fonthill Media.
  60. ^ "RAF Retires TriStar Tankers As Voyager Fleet Grows". Aviation International News. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  61. ^ @FalklandsinUK (28 March 2018). "Touchdown! An #A400M arrives in the..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  62. ^ Royal Corps of Signals. "Falkland Islands". Archived from the original on 29 March 2005. Retrieved 19 June 2006.
  63. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Ministry of Defence Senior Posts" (PDF). p. 46. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  64. ^ "Britain's Small Wars". britains-smallwars.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  65. ^ "AROUND THE WORLD; Falkland Islands Mark 4th Anniversary of War". The New York Times. 16 June 1986.
  66. ^ http://www.bff.org.uk/about_us_trustees/about_us_trustees-David-Crwys-Williams-CB.cfm [dead link]
  67. ^ "The New Commander British Forces Falkland Islands" (PDF). Falkland Islands Newsletter. September 1989. p. 12. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  68. ^ "Brigadier David Nicholls". The Daily Telegraph. London. 22 July 2006. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  69. ^ "Falkland Islands Government". www.falklands.gov.fk. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008.
  70. ^ "Armed Forces Minister to represent British Government at Commemoration in June 2002". 8 February 2002. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012.
  71. ^ "Chilean General Did Everything to Help the British Win in 1982 - Falkland Islands News". sartma.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  72. ^ "Chilean General Did Everything to Help the British Win in 1982 – Falkland Islands News". sartma.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  73. ^ "Penguin News Update". MercoPress. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  74. ^ www.mod.uk https://web.archive.org/web/20120218220103/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/LiberationDayInStanleyMarkedByParadeAndWreathLayingvideo.htm. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  75. ^ "Falklands' veteran, Commander of British Forces South Atlantic Islands". MercoPress. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  76. ^ "New Falklands' British Forces commander played key role in UK 2009 floods' rescue operations". MercoPress. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
  77. ^ "Falklands: New CBFSAI BRG Bennett".
  78. ^ "Brigadier Nick Sawyer, new Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands". MercoPress. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  79. ^ "Royal Navy commodore new Commander of BFSAI at MPC in Falklands". MercoPress. 20 November 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  80. ^ "Mount Pleasant Complex". Royal Air Force. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  81. ^ "Ministry of Defence – Defence For... – The Service Community – Overseas Posting – British Forces South Atlantic Islands – British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI)". Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  82. ^ "Home – FIDF". Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2016.