Falkland Islanders to hold referendum over sovereignty

[Sava]

The relative improvement in the UK's military technology and capabilities over the Argentinean Navy and Air Force in the last 30 years is huge.

The threat to navies presented by cheap anti-ship missiles isn't to be underestimated. I can't remember exact figures, but I recall Exocet MM40 can still close faster than the newest Phalanx systems can respond... in some cases.

I have no doubt France would provide assistance to the British in defeating those missiles. But who is to say Argentina doesn't have Russian or Chinese ASM's at the ready?

It's a crapshoot that doesn't seem worth the risk.

And say ASM defeats CIWS. Tehran is watching.

[N35t0r]

I think it's more about them being broke as ****, rather than any particular choice not to modernize.

Nope. There's been intentional neglect of the armed forces since Nestor Kirchner's government. We aren't broke (we were in 2001), just terribly mismanaged.

[kentonio]

The threat to navies presented by cheap anti-ship missiles isn't to be underestimated. I can't remember exact figures, but I recall Exocet MM40 can still close faster than the newest Phalanx systems can respond... in some cases.

I have no doubt France would provide assistance to the British in defeating those missiles. But who is to say Argentina doesn't have Russian or Chinese ASM's at the ready?

It's a crapshoot that doesn't seem worth the risk.

And say ASM defeats CIWS. Tehran is watching.

What are they going to be launching those Exocets from exactly?

Nope. There's been intentional neglect of the armed forces since Nestor Kirchner's government. We aren't broke (we were in 2001), just terribly mismanaged.

Ah fair play.

[Hauldren Collider]

A destroyer sunk two weeks ago while sitting in port.

Right. Because we'll get invaded.

You've gotta have at least some troops. You can't count on Brazil or Venezuela or whoever always being nice guys.

[Sava]

What are they going to be launching those Exocets from exactly?

modified trailer...
it's less than 400 lbs

[Hauldren Collider]

Exocets can get shot down by modern point defense. Also we don't use Phalanx on newer ships, I think we (and the brits) have switched to missile based point defense, rather than cannons.

[N35t0r]

Do remember this is a leftist, populist 'pro human rights' government, and the military disappeared 30000 people during the 70's-80's, as well as playing along with economic liberalism (and it's not always that clear which of those they consider worse)

[DinoDoc]

If they invoked article 5, we'd have to; since everyone helped us out with Afghanistan we would sort of owe it to them.

They owe us for not invoking the Monroe Doctrine and giving them a good kicking.

[kentonio]

modified trailer...
it's less than 400 lbs

They're going to drive a modified trailer to within 180km of a British ship?

[Hauldren Collider]

Do remember this is a leftist, populist 'pro human rights' government, and the military disappeared 30000 people during the 70's-80's, as well as playing along with economic liberalism (and it's not always that clear which of those they consider worse)

The disappearing was worse. Look at what Cristina Kirchner's economics have done for you. Price controls, 25% inflation. If you had free markets, you'd be much wealthier.

[Hauldren Collider]

They're going to drive a modified trailer to within 180km of a British ship?

Also, you can't hit subs with exocets.

British subs have tomahawks, right? You could blow up their airbases and their joke of a fleet with cruise missiles from that single sub before they knew what hit them.

[Sava]

Exocets can get shot down by modern point defense. Also we don't use Phalanx on newer ships, I think we (and the brits) have switched to missile based point defense, rather than cannons.

They can. Sure. They can also get through. Look up some CIWS testing results. They don't inspire confidence.

And no, even the new Queen Elizabeth class carriers will be equipped with Phalanx as the last line of defense. The newest Nimitz class still use Phalanx. The new Ford class use Phalanx.

So yeah... nothing you said was correct whatsoever.

[Sava]

They're going to drive a modified trailer to within 180km of a British ship?

It worked in 1982... from only 18 miles distance.

The Brits have to know the location of every single vehicle of appropriate size.

[N35t0r]

You've gotta have at least some troops. You can't count on Brazil or Venezuela or whoever always being nice guys.

They'd invade us if they were nice guys

I don't think Chile or Brazil would ever invade. First, it's a logistical nightmare, and second, we're still Brazil's third largest trade partner, even after the heavy restrictions set by our government for the past couple of years.

[N35t0r]

The disappearing was worse. Look at what Cristina Kirchner's economics have done for you. Price controls, 25% inflation. If you had free markets, you'd be much wealthier.

It doesn't even need considering. I was making fun of the government.