News / Military

UK to deploy ‘extra troops’ to Malvinas Islands

Sunday, 01 February 2015 10:52 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 01 February 2015 11:23 AM ]

British soldiers (file photo)

Britain is to deploy 300 extra troops to the Malvinas Islands in the South Atlantic, as the disputed territory reaches its highest state of alert in almost 20 years, a report says.

The report published by the British newspaper the Sunday Express said the extra soldiers are part of a force of more than 1,000 troops being set for duty in the region.

The force, which includes members of Britain’s Royal Artillery and 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, will be sent out in five groups of 150 to 300 soldiers, with troops staying on the islands for three to six weeks at a time.

“The aim is to put more than 1,000 troops from five different cap badges into the Islands by November but they will deploy in small groups from 150 to 300, for short tours,” a senior military source said.

According to the report, British military chiefs are to stage a series of “high readiness reinforcement” drills in the South Atlantic. Senior military sources say the war games will be “low profile,” with the aim to ensure that the UK can secure its garrisons overseas.

At the moment, some 1,200 British troops, four Typhoon fighter jets and a missile battery vehicle is stationed on the disputed islands.

UK-Argentina dispute over Malvinas

The Malvinas are about 500 kilometers east of the Argentine coast in the South Atlantic Ocean. The UK and Argentina have been in a dispute over them.

Tensions have recently risen as Argentina is holding negotiations with Russia to lease 12 Russian Sukhoi Su-24 supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft.

The islands have been declared part of the British overseas territories since the UK established its colonial rule there in 1833. Argentina and Britain fought a 74-day war in 1982 over the Islands, which ended with the British side claiming victory over the Argentineans.

Buenos Aires says Britain forcibly stripped Argentina of sovereignty over the islands and has been occupying the territory since then.

This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the first of many United Nations resolutions calling for fair negotiations on the Malvinas issue. However, the UK has repeatedly ignored the resolutions and refused to join the negotiating table.

CAH/HSN/HMV

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