The Falklands

Written by Colin Breed on Tue 23rd Feb 2010

Recent newspaper reports have highlighted increasing tensions over the Falkland Islands, some 28 years after the United Kingdom last went to war to protect our interests there. The latest diplomatic scuffle centres on oil prospecting, and the growing amount of evidence suggesting plentiful oil reserves off the shores in every direction. There could be as much as 3.5 billion barrels and nine trillion cubic metres of gas around the Falklands, worth a quarter of a trillion dollars. It is not too difficult to see why cash-strapped Argentina is still interested in the last bastions of empire.

The Latin American countries have been quick to support Argentina's claim, with a regional summit of all Latin American and Caribbean countries offering unanimous support to Argentina. This is quite alarming considering the current state of our Royal Navy, as compared to the last time the Falklands hit the headlines.

The Navy has almost halved its ship numbers in the last 30 years, with a current quota of 88 ships. Whilst still an impressive number, this includes two aircraft carriers that are very much in need of replacement; indeed they are scheduled for replacement, but the aircraft carriers Queen Elizabeth II and Prince of Wales are currently much delayed and subject to potential budget cuts after the General Election.

Further to this, the number of escort vessels, which are vital to ensuring the protection of the carriers on long voyages, has also declined. We currently possess half the number of destroyers and two thirds less frigates than we did in 1980. Again, the long awaited Type 45 has suffered setbacks and we do not have anything like the number we expected to have by 2010.

There is little evidence that there will be war in the Falklands, but the latest diplomatic spat should act as a warning. Although the Royal Navy will do the best job it can, with whatever it has at its disposal, we can make their job a lot easier and it is high time there was a Defence Spending Review encompassing all military spending, to ensure we are ready for future wars.

With the emphasis on land based warfare, in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have lost our way somewhat, fighting wars out of habit, rather than in defence of our interests. The long term interests of our island nation have always been in defending our shores, including those 8000 miles away. We ignore that at our peril.