UK Troops Rehearse Defense of Falkland Islands Amid Argentine Claims

UK troops have practiced repelling a possible attack on the Falkland Islands amid Argentina’s claims to the archipelago.

The Times published photographs of the exercise.

UK paratroopers landed on the islands, then conducted a nighttime march of about 32 km and practiced combat drills.

The exercise recreated elements of Operation Sutton, conducted in May 1982, when the United Kingdom began landing troops to drive Argentine forces from the islands.

According to The Times, this was the first time in many years that a similar operation had been rehearsed as part of a military exercise.

Major Nunkoosing, commander of B Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion, said the exercise “gave us the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of our predecessors and gain at least some understanding of what they went through to achieve victory in 1982.”

The exercise followed a statement last month by Argentine President Javier Milei, who said he could “act quickly” to “recover” the islands.

On Monday, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would do “whatever is necessary” to ensure the Falkland Islands remain under UK sovereignty.

In September, the Argentine president announced plans to impose sanctions on companies operating on the islands without Argentina’s permission.

The Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas, have been under UK administration since 1833.

The UK and Argentina fought an armed conflict over the islands in 1982. About 900 people were killed in the fighting.

In a 2013 referendum, the islands’ residents voted to retain their status as a UK Overseas Territory. Argentina does not recognize the result of the referendum.