British troops training to ‘recapture Falklands’ amid rising Argentinian hostility

British troops have been training to recapture the Falkland Islands in the event of an Argentinian invasion as the UK vows to not “stand by” in the face of “aggressive” threats.

Over 100 British soldiers joined local reservists to carry out a six-day exercise in the region earlier this month, according to The Times.

The training mirrored events during Argentina’s 1982 invasion, and involved a 20-mile overnight hike and an amphibious assault.

The company’s commanding officer Major Nunkoosing told The Times that the training gave troops “the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our forefathers and gain a small insight into what they persevered through to achieve victory in 1982”.

It comes as relations between the UK and Argentina continue to sour after President Javier Milei claimed the South Atlantic archipelago was “under illegal foreign occupation” and threatened “to take matters into our own hands”.

He also has said he will impose sanctions on oil drilling off the Falkland Islands and has threatened to file criminal charges against the Israeli energy company for operating around the islands.

Britain and Argentina fought a brief war in 1982 over the islands after Argentina made a failed bid to take them. Some 650 Argentine soldiers and 255 British troops died before Argentina surrendered.

Falkland Islanders voted overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory in a 2013 referendum, with 99.8 per cent voting in favour – and just three votes against.

On Tuesday, Foreign Office minister Uma Kumaran attacked Mr Milei’s “inflammatory remarks” and the “increasingly aggressive public statements” of Pablo Quirno, the Argentine foreign minister.

She said: “We will respond firmly and promptly to Argentine threats to apply measures beyond its jurisdiction, which are intended to frighten businesses.

“Such conduct damages legal certainty and confidence in Argentina as a reliable economic partner.”

The minister added the UK is prepared to take “additional measures” if the situation continues.

“They will be legal, they will be proportionate, and let me assure you, they will be robust,” she said.

“The United Kingdom never sought this confrontation with the current Argentine government, and less so with the Argentinian people. We do not want to see wider implications for our two countries.”

On Monday, Andy Burnham opened an investigation into reports of harassment against Falklands islanders after alleged intimidation from Argentina.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the government was looking into the reports, calling any attempts at intimidation “completely unacceptable” as he reiterated that support for the Falkland Islanders and their right to determine their own future “remained unwavering.”