Defending the Falklands – The media is full of reports  on this subject, with the Daily Telegraph, as you would expect in the van.   It seems that a series of military options are being actively considered as the war of words over the islands intensifies.     It is understood that additional troops, another warship and extra RAF TYPHOON combat aircraft could be dispatched to the region ahead of the March referendum on the Falkland Islands’ future.    The planners at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, are no doubt busy are also said to be planning a “show of force”, probably conducting naval exercises in the South Atlantic.     Expect therefore a deployment of the Royal Navy’s Response Task Force Group, or elements of the 16 Air Assault Brigade which has just completed a series of demanding exercises in Spain preparing for “general war”.

Around 1,500 troops are permanently based on the Falklands Islands, along with four RAF TYPHOON Fighters plus anti-aircraft and artillery batteries.   There is an RAF search and rescue helicopter unit based at Port Stanley.    The Royal Navy currently has the last Type 42 Destroyer, the EDINBURGH on duty in the South Atlantic, as well as the resident Patrol Ship CLYDE, the Support Tanker RFA GOLD ROVER and the Ice Patrol Ship PROTECTOR supporting the two British Antarctic Survey Vessels (JAMES CLARK ROSS and ERNEST SHACKLETON).     To provide deep cover one of our nuclear powered Fleet Submarines is always on notice to move to the region if the diplomatic situation deteriorates.

Some 150 members B Company/2^nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment are to be deployed to the Falklands for a two month tour of duty.    The unit only came “home” last March (2012) from Nahr-e Saraj north, (Afghanistan) where the Taliban remain in force.   This deployment is part of a routine rotation of military personnel to and from the Islands which has seen more than 500 infantry companies deployed there since the end of the 1982 conflict. The Mercians role on this deployment will be to undertake regular patrols protecting key locations and of course they are available to support the regular garrison being ready to protect the islands and reassure people who live there.

In a separate development two British P&O cruise ships have cancelled plans to visit three Argentine ports because of the growing tensions over the Falklands  - the ARCADIA and ADONIA are scheduled to  visit Port Stanley, on the cruises leaving Southampton next month.    This decision is in response to the recent actions of some Argentinean port authorities have refused permission for cruise ships that have been to the Falklands to dock as tensions over the islands continue to simmer.