Falklands war 2012.

Any so-called military ranking is highly subjective and not of too much value. Secondly, the important thing your forgetting here is that the Falkands is thousands of miles away from the U.K. and only a few hundred from most of the Argentinian military. China may have the second strongest military in the world within the confines of China, but in Africa, Europe, the Americas, and many parts of Asia, they are about as threatening as Sweden. While the U.K. can project SOME power, its definitely not as powerful when it operates away from Europe or the American breadbasket of support.

Wars are never fought in sandbox scenarios. The question is whether or not the U.K. has the ability to project enough power to defeat Argentinian aggression. I think its a very real question.

 

As of now UK would win against any invasion by Argentina. These islands are probably only going to produce a cold war between UK and Argentina for the forseeable future (appropriate as the Spanish name Islas Malvinas means bad weather islands).

The only way Argentina could possibly win such a war is if the UK was to start the war by attacking Argentine ships or oil platform in disputed waters. It that happened Argentina would have lots of support (mostly Brazil) and the UK would probably have none. Since the Argentine doesn't have an oil platform in disputed waters and an attack on ships at sea is not likely this isn't a likely event in the near future but could happen if Argentina build an oil platform in the disputed waters.

 

Ancestral memory was once the driving factor in my hostility to Britain. However, that memory dimmed as I met Britons over the years. But then the British people changed. British intellectuals are uniformly vociferously hostile to all things American. George Galloway represents the politicized version of this animosity.

I came to conclude that the British are in fact hostile to the very idea of American conservatism and all American conservatives without exception. This hostility toward half of the American people has sealed Britain's fate as far as I am concerned. There is no fury like that of a friend who has been scorned.

My best friend is tight with a bunch of well heeled Brits. When I am in their presence I make light of my attitude, but they are very careful with what they say. I will encounter them later this year at a wedding. I intend to refight the Battle of the Boyne.

 

NATO's time came and went. America shouldn't be in NATO. British NATO membership means nothing.

 

Past British valor is well known, but the British are no longer the people they think they are. The Era of Waterloo and Roarke's Drift are long gone.

Shorn of American support Britain's role in the world will diminish. In fact, America as you have known it is coming to an end sooner than any realize. Something new is coming, and no one knows exactly what it will be like.

Btw, here is the military ranking that truly matters:
http://www.globalfirepower.com/

The problem for Britain is that it is losing its expeditionary capacity. Each year its ability to project power far from its own soil diminishes.

 

In what respect? I am british. We just think that we a small country, with the 7th largest economy and one of the best militarys. We dont wish to impose anything on anyone. it is the Argentines who wish to impose their will on the the Falklanders.

It will not diminish any more than it has since WW2. We know the world is changing and the EU will change with it. It wont happen over night.

Why, because it says so?

Note "Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only."

Why do you hold it with such authority?

...until we get our 2 fully-loaded aircraft carriers in 8 yrs time (We didnt see any need for the next few years... there's a recession on), at which point we will still be one of only a handful of nations with nuclear weapons and a blue water navy.

 

Britain occupies Northern Ireland. Britain occupies Las Malvinas. Britain imposes itself on many peoples.

American military power is going to diminish. Britain depends on America for many weapons systems. Britain won't have F-35s on board its putative aircraft carriers for many, many years.

Global Firepower is considered a very good site on this side of the Atlantic as a matter of consensus.

 

Britain does not occupy anywhere, or impose itself on anyone. Neither does the UK. The FALKLAND ISLANDS (as its people refer to it) and Northern Ireland, are part of the UK at their choice. They can leave if they wish. Scotland will be having a referendum on this very soon.

If the Argentinians wish to occupy the FALKLAND islands and impose themselves on its people, then they are the bad guys.

2020 is not "many more years".

Britain uses American technology as they are an Allie and it is convenient, not because we depend on it. We are very capable of developing our own tech and still do so.

For what reason?

 

The U.K. depends heavily on American technology. All of its AWACs capability, its attack choppers, anti-ship missiles, some small arms, transport aircraft, lift helicopters, and dozens and dozens of other major important systems. They buy from the U.S. because that's where the best generally is and its cheaper than trying to develop it on its own. Virtually every European country (especially NATO ones) buy heavily from the U.S. The only real exceptoin that I can think of is France. There was a thread on this a few months ago where we researched and listed all the technology.

Britain certainly develops some very good equipment on its own or in concert with other Euoprean powers, but it doesn't have the money or defense industry to develop that kinds of things that the U.S. does. The F-35 is a prime example. On its own Britain could never afford to develop and field such a complex and muti-faceted design. The country is only ordering 138 aircraft (that may be cut further). The U.S. on the other hand, is buying more than2400 aircraft.

 

We maintain a sovereign ability and do not need the US.

We have plenty of knowledge to build a 5th gen fighter. Some of the stealth tech in the F-35 come from the BAE replica, which would have been our 5th gen fighter, if we didnt join the JSF. We build some of the most advanced avionics in the world. We played a VERY big hand in the Eurofighter. We have everything in place.

If there is a need to develop anything, we do... and it is usually excellent, like the Harrier. It is often just convenient and cheaper to buy from the US.

Its got nothing to do with with the US being able to produce something better.

 

Good point.

But its unfortunate, we do pay our share to defend everyone and be defended.

Its a shame neither the US nor EU nato members will stand with us.

 

But all that said, we brits could do with a real conventional war.

And the Argies made perfect fodder decades ago.

Taking them on again would be good exercise for us.

Not sure why they would want to take us on. The falklands are exactly like our own country. We live and fight in this moongrass and cold winds all year round, and were an island nation.

The last thing these Argies or anyone should do is give us a reason to fight. I predict well probably invade argentina if requires. It was certainly considered last time. And a British battle group on land would cut an easy swathe to Buenos Aires.

 

If you want a friend get a dog. The new era is going to be a real eye opener for the Brits.

 

YES...........according to economists, the future for Britain looks pretty good, once this decade is over!.......with Britain becoming the no1 European power (hopefully).

 

Don't look for trouble. Trouble will find you.

 

That's grand. Good luck with that.

 

So how would the whole war play out and who would win and why?

I am sorry, but am trying to learn more from you and others on this forum, but I just don't understand some things.

 

This should be solved diplomatically. I agree with Clinton/Obama on this.

Both sides have decent claims to the Islands. They have been British for a long time (about 180 years) but were Argentine for a short time. The Argentines established a small settlement on these islands in the late 1820's (they were not inhabited at that time) and were kicked off them by the British in 1833. However Argentina has always claimed they were wrongly ousted and in my opinion they are right.

The actual Islanders are and want to be British but I don't think that the islands are the logical unit for self determination. The USA wouldn't allow some county with a population of 3,000 on the Canadian border to leave the US and become part of Canada just because most or all of the residents wanted to do so. The USA also wouldn't allow a state to join a foreign country or become independent (11 tryed and failed). I think the right unit for self determination is the Islands plus mainland Argentina. (I also think the right unit for Ireland is the Island of Erie as a whole and don't think a few counties in Northern Ireland should get to not be part of Irish Republic just because they don't want to be.)

Of course Britian can if She wishes keep these Islands by force and Argentina isn't strong enough to stop that but the islanders shouldn't expect to be able to trade with any South American country if this is done.

I can see several possible solutions.

1. Argentina cedes the Islands to Britiain. They get a 12 mile coastal zone and the residents get the right to fish in Argentine waters but not to give licenses to foreign (Spanish for example) fishing ships or ships from the European UK (beyond the 12 miles). Any oil or other resources outside the 12 miles go to Argentina. The Islanders should also get right to come to the South American mainland for medical treatment if wanted/needed. The British military base should go. It's in the South American (ie Argentina/Brazil) sphere of influence.

2. Britian cedes the island to Argentina and Argentina makes a payment to each islander ($1,000,000 US sounds about right). This payment will be exempt from Argentine and UK taxes. The Islanders can either return to Britain or stay and have dual UK Argentine citizenship. This is probably the best choice.

3. The Andora solution. The Islands become a co-principality with the Queen and the Argentine President as the co-princes. They are semi independent with no military bases there.

Maybe even let the Islanders vote to chose which of these they would prefer but not give an option of the status quo.

If Britain choses not to accept any of these choices Argentina should not invade the islands but the Islanders should not expect a friendly South America. I also think that the US should make it clear that unless an invasion occurs the US wouldn't support any action against Argentine ships or oil platforms in the disputed seas.

 

Yup. In the fullness of time Northern Ireland will be incorporated into the Republic.

 

What has God revealed to you that nobody else has heard ?

 

If the " fullness of time " is a figure more than one thousand years , you could possibly be right .
I notice your several fanciful predictions across as many Posts and am intrigued to know if your powers are super natural . Are you an Alien among mere mortal men ?

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falkland_Islands


Given this history, why does the Argentine claim have any strength?

They didnt even discover it. The French have a better claim.

And lastly whats the USA got to do with this?

 

Each of us can live a long life, but ancestral memory can exist within a family for hundreds of years. In this way the dead hand of the past can remain viable and compelling. Think like a Han waiting patiently for luck to appear. Luck is a combination of preparation and opportunity. Sooner or later opportunity always arises for one who is prepared to seize it.

 

What people seem to forget about on this Falklands topic is the people who actually live there.

There are a few thousand British people there, and have been for a long while.
They dont want to be under Argentinian rule.

So, if the Argentinians were to invade and occupy the island, what would they do with the thousands of British people...........kick them off the island?
Or, if Argentinians were to live there, alongside the British, there would be such tension, and who would the island belong to anyway.

Which ever way you look at it.......the Argentinains are the aggressors.

Remember, the British goverment only supports the islanders, because it is they who wish to belong to the British.

 

Hahahahaha..