Britain To Boost Falkland Islands Defences

Britain is to "beef up" its military presence on the Falkland Islands amid claims there is a heightened risk of invasion

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has confirmed reinforcements of troops and equipment following a Ministry of Defence review suggesting an attack on the South Atlantic archipelago is more likely.

He told Sky News that he intended "to reassure the islanders that we're absolutely committed to their right to remain British and to the defence of the islands".

"We're modernising what we're doing there and I'm going to talk about the various capabilities and equipment we have there," he said.

In a Commons statement, Mr Fallon said Britain is deploying two RAF Chinook transport helicopters, adding that a review of the islands' defences had found they were "broadly proportionate" to the current threat level.

He also confirmed the government's commitment to maintaining a Falkland Islands patrol vessel - currently HMS Clyde - while investing £180m over the next ten years upgrading harbour facilities and fuel infrastructure.

Around 1,200 troops are based on the islands along with a small fleet of Sea King helicopters and RAF Typhoon jets.

Argentina's President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has revived tensions over the islands, which her country calls Las Malvinas, since she came to power.

Foreign Affairs Editor Sam Kiley said a "devastating" Defence Select Committee report suggested British armed forces would not be capable of retaking the islands if they were successfully invaded.

"They've definitely got to get in and defend if the Argentines are boosting their military capabilities and posing some threat to the Falklands," he said.

"The reality is: They're not and they're not. Ultimately they want to get the Falklands back, (but) they're not going to go to war with Britain over it.

"They are boosting their military capability, but in a pretty insignificant way."

Prime Minister David Cameron, in his last Christmas message to the Islanders, announced a bronze statue of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher would be unveiled this year in the British territory.