Falkland Islands

Argentina to build nuclear submarine fleet

Argentina is to build its own nuclear submarine on the orders of President Cristina Kirchner.

The country’s defence minister Arturo Puricelli has suggested construction of what could be the first of many has already begun.

It comes as tensions remain stretched between Argentina and the UK over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

The prospect of an Argentine nuclear submarine fleet could significantly change the UK’s defence strategy of the islands.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph newspaper Eric Wertheim, author and editor of the US Naval Institute's Combat Fleets of the World guide, said: "British naval power is at a historic low due to budget cuts and the strain of the last decade's combat operations.

"Certainly, this is a symbol that Argentina has not forgotten. They don't want to be seen as a second rate power.

"I think the way that Britain would be able to protect the Falklands would be purely defensive before an attack happened. The ability to take the Falklands back once it is taken is decreasing monthly.

“It seemed insurmountable in 1982 but it seems a lot more insurmountable today."

Three months ago Admiral Sir John "Sandy" Woodward, the head of Britain's Naval task force in the 1982 war, claimed defence cuts had left Britain able to do "precisely nothing" in the event of another invasion.

The Ministry of Defence rubbished his claims as completely without substance.

In a statement the MOD said: "The current garrison in the Falkland Islands is much larger in scale and has a greater capability than in 1980, and this together with our ability to reinforce rapidly by air has been maintained as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review.

"We have a far greater presence than previously - not least a well defended airfield with Typhoon aircraft, and are able to respond to any and all threats.

"We will keep our network of permanent defence joint operating bases, including the British Forces South Atlantic Islands, based on the Falklands Islands and Ascension Island, and maintain regular presence in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands."