HMS Dauntless sets sail for Falklands as tensions mount between Britain and Argentina

HMS Dauntless will form part a key part of the Falkland Islands protection force at a time when tensions with Argentina have been at their highest since the 1982 conflict.

But the Ministry of Defence has sort to play down the Type 45’s maiden deployment saying that it is there for “defence diplomacy” and will only be paying the Falklands a “courtesy visit”.

Howver Dauntless will replace a far less capable Type 23 frigate as the South Atlantic patrol ship for the next six or seven months.

With a suite of 48 Sea Viper missiles and its Sampson radar, which is more advanced than Heathrow air traffic control, it is arguably the most sophisticated air defence warship in the world.

It can monitor air space up to 250 miles away and engage multiple incoming aircraft at more than 80 miles.

If it came to war the ship would be up against an ageing Argentine air force made up of roughy 75 fighters from Super Etendards, Skyhawks, Daggers and Mirages but many lacking spare parts to make them flyable.

“With its battery of Sea Viper missiles a Type 45 is capable of wiping out the Argentine air force in a day if they were foolish enough to take us on,” said one Navy officer.

Officially Dauntless will first call on a number of West African countries as part of the Government’s increased emphasis on defence diplomacy. It will then steam to the west coast of South America where it is hoped it will dock potentially in Brazil or more likely Chile. However Buenos Aires has persuaded most South American countries to bar access from Falklands flagged ships.

Admiral Lord West, the former First Sea Lord and Falklands veteran, said. “Should there be any foolish nonsense from Argentina, Dauntless can sit just off the airfield and take down any aircraft coming in. It’s a game-changing capability.”

A Royal Navy spokesman said: “Routine military business continues with HMS DAUNTLESS deploying as part of a long-planned task to the South Atlantic to relieve another Royal Navy vessel.

"The Type 45 destroyer will maintain a continuous presence protecting British interests in the region, carrying out maritime security operations off West Africa and the wider South Atlantic.”

The ship has left amid escalating tension between London and Buenos Aires.

Argentina's Foreign Ministry yesterday accused David Cameron of "persistent glorification of colonialism" after the Prime Minister said the UK helped right "a profound wrong" during the 1982 war.

It came after Argentina's president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner used commemorations on the 30th anniversary of the conflict to describe Britain's stance as "ridiculous and absurd".

Hackles were also raised by the "provocative" six-week deployment of Prince William to the islands as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot earlier this year.

Foreign Secretary William Hague, who has led a push to improve UK trade and other links with South America, has described Argentina's recent actions as "deeply regrettable".

Dauntless, commissioned in 2010, will relieve HMS Montrose carrying out operations off West Africa and the wider South Atlantic.

It carries a crew of 190 and is one of the world's most advanced air-defence warships with stealth features which make it look like a fishing boat on radar.

Navy chiefs insist the ship's six-month deployment was "pre-planned and routine" and that the timing with the anniversary of the start of war was coincidence.

Commanding Officer Captain Will Warrender said: "HMS Dauntless' ship's company has been working extremely hard over the last year or so to prepare for our first operational deployment.

"We are now ready to provide a reassuring presence in the region and protect British interests."

A total of 255 British servicemen and about 650 Argentines died after the UK sent a task force following the Argentine invasion on 2 April 1982.

Britain has controlled the Falklands since 1833 but Argentina claims the territory - which it calls the Malvinas - saying it inherited rights to them from Spain.

At a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary in Argentina, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner attacked the UK government's stance on the Falkland Islands.

She said: "Every day that goes by it looks more ridiculous, more absurd to the eyes of the world.

"It is an injustice that in the 21st Century there are still colonial enclaves... 16 colonial enclaves throughout the world - 10 of those belonging to the United Kingdom."


Source: By Thomas Harding, Defence Correspondent - 04 Apr 2012 (telegraph.co.uk)

Photo: A £1 billion warship that could “wipe out” the Argentine air force has left Portsmouth for the South Atlantic.

(4.04.2012)