Labour accused of leaving Falklands 'vulnerable to attack' after key RAF aircraft is withdrawn despite Argentina's president vowing to 'take matters into our own hands'
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By BRENDAN CARLIN
Published: | Updated:
Labour was on Saturday night accused of leaving the Falklands 'more vulnerable to attack' after withdrawing a key part of their defence.
The islands do not have air-to-air refuelling capacity despite Argentina's president vowing to 'take matters into our own hands' at the UN General Assembly last week.
Defence sources revealed that – for the second time this year – an RAF A330 Voyager tanker aircraft had been withdrawn from the South Atlantic for other duties.
On Saturday night, defence experts condemned the withdrawal.
Tim Ripley, from the respected Defence Eye website, said: 'This will weaken the defence of the Falklands and leaves the islands more vulnerable to attack.
'It sends the wrong signal to Buenos Aires. The tanker in the South Atlantic provides strategic reach, it allows the Typhoons [air defence aircraft] to stay airborne and protect the islands.
'Downgrading our capability clearly indicates to Argentina that the Falklands is not a defence priority. This is exactly what happened in 1981 and a year later they invaded.
'Have we not learnt our lessons from what happened then?'
Argentina's president Javier Milei addresses the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 23
RAF Voyager (Airbus 330) tanker refuelling a Tornado and Typhoon aircraft on operations
Earlier this year, The Mail on Sunday revealed that the sole Falklands-based Voyager refuelling aircraft had been redeployed amid the Iran/US conflict.
The Voyager was quietly returned to the Falklands a few weeks ago. But on Saturday, it emerged that it has again been re-deployed – this time to help refuel Saudi Arabian fighter jets in their battle with Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the use of the Voyager, now based in Cyprus, would be time limited for a 'matter of weeks, rather than days'.
However, a former RAF commodore, who asked not to be named, said on Saturday night: 'We need to send a strong message to Argentina and that means maintaining a robust military capability in the South Atlantic – you can't keep changing the air-cover.'
This month, emboldened by signs the US might change its stance of neutrality on the Falklands, Argentina's president Javier Milei threatened sanctions on oil firms working near the British territory.
Calling the territory an 'illegal foreign occupation', he added: 'Argentina is not going to sit around waiting for the UN and the international community to live up to their own mandate.
'We're going to take matters into our own hands.'
On Saturday night, the Ministry of Defence denied the Falklands are more vulnerable.
A spokesman said: 'The UK's commitment to the defence of the Falklands is unwavering – and our ability to defend the islands remains strong with fast jets and sophisticated air defences.
'The RAF has access to the Voyager capability required to meet all operational commitments.'
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