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The Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless arrives in her home port of Portsmouth in a December 2, 2009, file photo. A British minister will travel to the Falkland Islands in June to take part in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Britain's recapture of the islands from occupying Argentine troops.
Britain's HMS Dauntless, touted as one of the most sophisticated warships in the world, will set sail to the disputed Falkland Islands in coming weeks in what the government called a routine operation.
The futuristic destroyer will replace the frigate HMS Montrose, the Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday. The deployment has long been planned but comes as tensions rise between Britain and Argentina over the status of the islands, which are a British dependency.
The Dauntless, armed with anti-aircraft and anti-ballistic capability, could "take out all of South America's fighter aircraft let alone Argentina's," one Navy source told the U.K.'s Telegraph.
The news comes shortly before Prince William, heir to the British throne, is due to arrive in the Falkland Islands as part of his air force training.
Britain accuses Argentina of 'colonialism'
Foreign Secretary William Hague told Sky News that while HMS Dauntless's deployment is routine, the British ship "packs a very considerable punch."
A Royal Navy spokesman downplayed the $1 billion destroyer's deployment and rejected that it was a sign of escalation in the tensions between the two countries.
"The Royal Navy has had a continuous presence in the south Atlantic for many years. The deployment of HMS Dauntless to the south Atlantic has been long planned, is entirely routine and replaces another ship on patrol," he told the Guardian.
Last month, Argentina persuaded Brazil, Uruguay and Chile to join a Mercosur trade group resolution to turn away any ship flying the Falklands'flag — which depicts a sheep and a ship along with the United Kingdom's red, white and blue Union Jack.
Argentina claims sovereignty of the Falklands, 290 miles (460 kilometers) east of its coast. U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has also recently stressed that the people of the Falklands must decide their own future and said Argentina is taking a colonialist approach to the islands' residents.
London's Foreign Office said Tuesday that junior minister Jeremy Browne will travel to the islands in June to mark the 30th anniversary of Britain's brief 1982 war with Argentina over the territory. Browne will be the first foreign minister to visit the Falklands since 2008. Prime Minister David Cameron's office said the British leader had no plans to visit.
Earlier this month, Britain announced that Prince Harry will visit Brazil in March as part of the U.K.'s effort to strengthen ties with Latin America.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Argentina says Prince William's deployment to the Falklands is provocative. Britain says his deployment is routine for a search and rescue pilot. The timing William's deployment is sensitive because it is has been thirty years since British forces liberated the Falkland Islands from Argentina. ITN's Bill Neely reports.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
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Why would Argentina want the Falklands? There is nothing there but a few Brit's.
It's that damn OIL again. There are proven oil reserves on the continental platform around the island.
Exactly!
If you were Argentina, wouldn't you want those strategically located islands for territorial concerns? They wanted those islands before the oil was discovered. Why do we have Puerto Rico, or Guam?
The oil only makes them want them more is all.
They have a population of Cassini falcons (peregrine sub-species). Does that count?
Since the islands are on the continental shelf and less than 300 miles from Argentina, they have desired to have them. The call the islands "las Malvinas", from the fact that a couple of centuries ago there were some French settlers there from St. Malo, France, therefore "Malouisnes"="Malvinas". Falkland was an English explorer who landed there centuries ago. The British has over 4,000 inhabitants there and use it as a strategic base. Hopefully, the dispute can be worked out amicably with the UN and possibly a plebiscite (which would favor Britain). The lack of Argentine and (historicallY) Spanish involvement does weaken Argentina's case.
Ehhh sh!t happens
Those must be some DAMN fine sheep........2 countries fight over them one sends a Billion dollar ship to guard them.
The price of the ship made me wonder a bit. American Super Carriers cost 3 billion to build. Why would a single destoyer cost a third of an 80,000 ton Carrier?
It is indeed curious, but may I correct you: the carriers displace around 100,000 tons! That makes it even more curious. Are the Brits getting Value for Money?
Who cares about Prince William? Now, if the Queen herself came, then Argentina should worry.
With fishing regions and potential oil and gas deposits, islands all over the world are being claimed. Here in Asia, islands are being fought over (so far just verbally) by China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and Russia in the north and China and just about every other South East Asian nation in the south. As for the Falklands, the physical proximity to Argentina would seem to place the islands in Argentinian territory but when Argentinians weren't willing to settle on the islands, the British were. Like territorial claims everywhere, there are points to be made by all claimants. It would seem that the UN could settle these claims but few claimants would be willing to accept a UN verdict on the chance it might go against them. And so the wars of words continue.
You're also forgetting that the pre-Spanish civilisation didn't even know that they were there.
Not sure why people keep talking about the Falklands as it's a dispute that both sides *firmly* believe they are right on and people have died over this in recent history. Ideally the Falkland islanders would give drilling rights to Argentine companies or build an oil terminal in Argentina or something so they can get a cut and then with the money out of the way they would be able to live in peace farming their sheep.
Too simple and it would not divert people's attention from problems at home. Such Imperial posturing is for effect. Look at Korean peninsula -the Koreans could live in peace , but no ,they have to serve as a bogeyman to enrich the 1% that profit from wars - so the posturing continues on both sides and the Chinese are probably laughing their tutus off, how a pauper nation is playing a big tiger and they, the smart Chinese collect the money at interest. So why should they kill a goose that lays golden eggs ?
Are you saying a government would start a war to distract the people from their leaders sheer and blinding incompetence? Who would be stupid enough to do that?
Wait... do you think that government would call people unpatriotic if they were called on it? Thank God I live in the United States. That would NEVER happen here.
Joe you are absolutly right. I am sure that 3 generations of Kims armed their country to the teeths and kept the tentions in the Korean peninsual just to let some people here, in the West, make money. That was sarcasam, in case you wondering. Your example is moronic.
These islands are populated by Brits and have been for over 200 years. Argentina has never really occupied these islands, other than a few spats over them over the centuries. Even the US stopped by there in 1831 and blew up a building or two. Argentina's claim to these islands,which they have no ancestral people on and have never occupied except briefly during their furtive attempts at taking them from the Brits, is ridiculous.
It may be ridiculous (or not), but it is a heartfelt and widespread sentiment in Argentina that "the Malvinas belong to US!."
There, it's settled. "the Malvinas belong to the US!"
Argentina can lick nuts. They will never own the Falklands.
The only things that belong to you are the the things you can prevent others from taking from you.
Going into battle with a 2nd class power when you are a 4th class regional power usually ends badly for you.
Especially when your navy's flag ship is a 50 year old big gun cruiser. (the Belgrano formerly the USS Phoenix)
US as in plural of ME...
That one UGLY warship.
May be ugly, but beauty is not the reason warships are built. They are built for functionality, not for beauty.
Who's idea was it to put a large Dalek on the ship? To scare off intruders?? (EXTERMINATE!)
Oh, I get it. Argentina is taking a colonialist approach.
The West just loves tweaking the little guy's nose. Instead of celebrating a stupid war and causing tensions in the region. Maybe they (Brits) should mourn the stupidity that got so many killed the first time around. Gee, brag about beating up on a small poor country. How pathetic! The Brits wouldn't dare take on a tough opponent, they'd be shown the door!
"beating up on a small poor country"
What, like the US invading Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Korea and Vietnam?
Ah yeah. Those same Brits who fought alone against the USSR, Japan and Nazi Germany after France fell, before the USSR's defection to the allies, and whilst awaiting the USA's entry into the war.
If you'd like to look through history 'Rob105125' the British have a long list of 'tough opponents' they have fought (and defeated), from the Napoleonic french hegemony to the massive domineering Ming China.
Didn't Argentina start that war? Don't poke one of the bigger boys on the block if you're not going to win the fight.
Leave the Falklands alone Argentina.
People have a right to self determination and Falklanders have decided to be British!
Recent polls attest to that!!
The British have been there for at least 150 years ++ Falklanders consider themselves members of the British Empire as they call it. Additionally, the Argentinean government is one of the most interventionist in the world with a very low economic freedom index. Under their rule, islanders would get the shaft and their US$38 thousand per capita income would probably plummet even below Argentina´s US$ 5 thousand per capita income. If Argentina rules the Falklands all the islanders´ hard gained riches through sheep farming would be lost. Just look a the history of their currency:
The pound is the currency of the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean. The symbol is the pound sign, £, or alternatively FK£, to distinguish it from other pound-denominated currencies. The ISO 4217 currency code is FKP. The Falklands pound has always been pegged to the pound sterling at par and banknotes of both currencies are used interchangeably on the islands (although only notes issued by banks in the United Kingdom are generally accepted in Britain itself).
History
The pound was introduced following the reassertion of sovereignty in the Falklands Islands by the British in 1833. Initially, the British currency circulated, with the pound subdivided into 20 shillings, each of 12 pence. Specific issues of banknotes have been made for the Falkland Islands since 1899. In 1971, the pound was decimalized and subdivided into 100 pence. Coins have been minted specifically for the Falklands since 1974. During the earlier Argentine occupation, the peso circulated.
For a more general history of currency in the South Atlantic region, see The Sterling Currency in the South Atlantic and the Antarctic.
Coins
In 1974, ½, 1, 2, 5 and 10 pence coins were introduced. 50 pence coins were introduced in 1980, followed by 20 pence in 1982, 1 pound in 1987 and a circulating 2 pounds in 2004. The ½ penny coin was last issued in 1983 and was demonetized shortly after. Smaller versions of the 5p, 10p and 50p, corresponding to the current UK issues, were issued in 1998, replacing the larger versions (which for the 5p was eight years after its introduction in the UK). The introduction of the circulation £2 coin in 2004 was six years after the same coin was issued in the UK. All the coins have the same composition and size as the corresponding British coins.
Banknotes
Between 1899 and 1901, the government introduced notes for 5 and 10 shillings, 1 and 5 pounds. The 5 shilling notes were issued until 1916. In 1969, in preparation for decimalization, the 10 shilling note was replaced by a 50 pence note. 10 pound notes were introduced in 1975, followed by 20 pounds in 1984 and 50 pounds in 1990. Banknotes in circulation are:
Falklands' banknotes feature the same images, differing only in their respective denominations and corresponding colors. On the front side, all notes contain a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, the Falklands' coat of arms, a small map of the islands, and images of two of the islands' main animals, penguins and sea lions. On the back, notes feature pictures of Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley and Government House, the official residence of the Governor of the Falkland Islands. Source: Exchange rate.com.
How more British can you get??
I do not think anyone disputes that the islands are not British. The Imperial posturing is about troubles at home.
Sorry, Argentina has disputed the colonization of the Malvinas since 1833. Just because they have never been able to retake them militarily does not mean there is not merit to their claims. Someone ought to listen to them for once!
@HawkeyeDJ
The Argentine tried to solve it by taking them over militarily in 1982 & by doing so, they told the world only by military force will the issue would be settled of who owns the islands. The Brits took the challenge & won. It was fair fight, they too their losses but won, settling the issue once & for all who the islands belong too
The islands name are the Falklands & belong to the British.
In order to "RE-TAKE" something one would have to have had possession of that item previously.
Argentina has never had that luxury .
This is the 99th attempt to distract the citizens of Argentina from the Administration's shenanigans
by screaming WATCH TTHE LEFT HAND NOT THE RIGHT !!!W
This time it is over long term deep discounts in Gas & Electricity to those who made political contributions, now those suppliers are going belly-up for lack of operations & maintenance cash... so to cover the losses they go to war .
Viva la Revolution !
Britain has claimed and occupied to some extent the Falklands since before Argentina was even a country. Argentina has never actually occupied or had citizens living on the Falklands, except for intermittent unsuccessful skirmishes with the British. The people in the Falklands are British and have always been British. All this Argentinian crap is not unlike the US deciding that the Bahamas were part of the US and kicking the Bahamian Government out of the Bahamas. Total bull.
Futuristic?? Maybe if this was 1962, but the year is 2012 and that
goofy looking hunk of British crap is definitely nothing to look forward to.
It looks just like the US Navy's Aegis class destroyers,our most powerful destroyers.
Very good Acosmet, you can google things. You get a gold star. John was of course refering to our Ticonderoga CLASS cruiser and the Arleigh Burke CLASS destroyer, both of which look far cooler that the UK ship! I would be careful about assuming capabilities by looks alone.
Thanks, but Bing, that aside, I was also 22 yr Navy ASW qualified.
15 year Intel Specialist SW qualified. Howdy shipmate! Would have retired but a drunk driver had other ideas.
Sorry to hear that, hope you still have your medical and some disability. And thank you for your service squid.
President Theodore Roosevelt, 2 December 1902, second annual message to Congress.
May the wind always be at your back.
Britain accuses Argentina of "colonialism" -it has to be a joke ! The largest colonial power on Earth is accusing a little Argentina of colonialism. It is similar to Britain accusing China in the last century of opium trade.
I will tell you what it is probably about. It is to divert attention from enslavement of British people and economic crisis with Imperial posturing-something we do a lot of in the U.S.. The drums of war are beating or is it for our funeral all over the globe. If this insanity does not stop we will all parish horrible deaths or just starve to death for lack of food. No gas , no food -it is all that simple for most of us.
If we go back in history hundreds of years, England always been the trouble maker, exept for the WWI and WWII, Europeans consider England a thorn in theyre side.
leave Argentina alone, and do not accuse them of what you are!
How many of you know that the US was involved heavily in the 1982 "war"?
C-130's doing airdrops had a flight leader that had the sense to fly low to avoid anti-aircraft fire.
The military on the Island tried to take aim, but their sandbags around the turrets would not allow the barrels to be lowered enough to shoot.
By the time they figured out that, paratroops were on the ground.
All delivered by the US.
Actually the claim the US was involved in the 1982 war is a lie, basically an excuse by the Argentine of why they lost the war. They don't want to admit they made strategic mistakes during the war.
Seems the Argentine purposelessly ignore the fact that the British also owns C-130 & can fly these aircraft. They have been always looking an excuse why they lost the war, blaming the US for their loss. Always coming up with reason that the US intervened, for example they supplied destroyers, the harriers, & even the carriers to the brits.
Usually what I see is a country that cannot learn from their losses, looking for excuses, ergo never learning. Hence, likely repeating the same strategic mistakes if they ever go to war again.
VIEWER_READY
Really...? how interesting !
Please tell us more...!
(Oh and check your Newsvine mailbox for a PM)
I think they lost because Argentina was fighting Great Britain.
@ForReals? The fact is Argentina did what they did after decades of being ignored on all diplomatic channels. Even then, they simply wanted to open a dialogue with Britain. The Brits would have none of it.
While it was clear that Argentina was never a military match for Britain, that was no deterrent to Britain to completely annihilate the Argentine military.
At worst, the US should have remained neutral and encouraged two valued allies to work out their differences peacefully. But the US came down foursquare on the side of Britain, even going so far as to deploy US ships to the North Sea in order to free up the British Fleet from their NATO obligations to engage Argentina. This was a clear repudiation of the OAS (Organization of American States) treaty of which both the the US and Argentina are signatories.
Actually the US was in a sticky situation mainly because they used Argentine military (trained here) as advisers to the Contras in Nicaragua so the Argies figured we owed them a favor.
Just want to point out that Argentina has C-130s also.
So the Argentines feel that the deployment of a royal search and rescue pilot is provocative? There are times when the human race is just so confusing. I know if the sun comes up tomorrow it's Obama's fault.
Who would know more about colonialism than Britain? The Brits stole those islands from Argentina in 1833 - fair and square. And since everyone knows that Britain can kick Argentina's ass any time they want, Britain doesn't have to be civilized in this matter. Argentina has tried for decades to resolve the dispute through diplomacy, and every time the Brits veto the matter in the UN. The Brits are wrong simply because they believe that because they are stronger militarily they don't have to engage in a dialogue regarding the Malvinas. Britain can go to hell as far as I'm concerned.
HAWKEYE..
I understand your position precisely .
Apply that same logic to our situation in the US...
all them dang Caribbean Islands including Cuba are closer to the USA
than the Falklands are to Argentina .
Rubber stamp their seizure and then that will justify
OUR seizure of the Caribbeans & give US control of that which is then rightfully OURS too!
NOT
I suggest you read some history of Colonialism. At the time that Britain was claiming the Malvinas for the crown, France, Britain, Spain, The Netherlands, and the U.S. were busy sticking flags in every piece of Earth that did not have military protection and calling it their own. Argentina has disputed this claim from the beginning. Argentina has formally requested a hearing before the UN General Assembly every year since 1953. And every year Britain on the Security Council has vetoed the hearing.
1982 Argentina took the islands back without a shot being fired. Britain responded with the full force and fury of their imperial navy, firing the first shots, and never even entertained a diplomatic solution. That's what bullies do when they're bigger than you. Diplomacy is for wimps.
This starts way back,
"which is rejected by the islanders" This just might be important to the inhabits!
The US did drop in the Falklands for the British.
I know three pilots and crew who were involved.
It was one of those "need to know deals".
The Argentines have long since been singing to the islanders the Scottish version of the Rolling Stones'
"Hey, McLeod, get off my ewe.. "
When Iran says something like this, its probably BS
When the UK says something like this, they more than likely mean it!
Let's just hope the captain doesn't do a salute maneuver and sink the damn thing.
The problem is they don't have any back-up when they need to re-supply as I seriously doubt they carry enough missiles and ammo to get them ALL with one load-out.
This is looking like the Graf Spree writ small.
Yeah that thought crossed my mind, then i began to wonder how many fighter jets south american countries have lol.
las malvinas son argentinas las malvinas son argentinas!
What an awesome set of comments! Mostly smart and so informative. I just learned so much more about the Falklands war than I ever knew before.
Dont mess with the UK...you'll get your unworthy butts kicked even worse than before.
Besides, Britain is planning to send all their Northern Ireland malcontents there so as to finally return that last bit of Ireland to the Irish.
Apparently the move seen as a good deal for them because of all the single sheep in the Falklands...
Those who invented and established the term "colonialism", accuse others for that...The known English brass..The toothless Empire still thinks that sun "never sets in the Empire". Unfortunately for them, the sun in the Empire sets very fast, and long time now..I wonder what they will do if Scottish people decide to separate..attack them too?
Look at that THING! Looks like a BIG HARDON just itching for a fight! Needs one of those african CONDOMS!Then we can call it a HOLY WAR!