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Britain's Falklands defences 'to be bolstered' amid growing fears of invasion Britain's Falklands defences 'will be bolstered' amid fears of fresh invasion by Argentina
(about 1 hour later)
Britain's military garrison on the Falkland Islands could be bolstered following a Ministry of Defence review which suggested an attack was more likely, reports suggest. Britain's military defences on the Falkland Islands could be bolstered amid fears Argentina could launch a new invasion, the Defence Secretary has said.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is expected to announce reinforcements of troops and equipment on the South Atlantic archipelago, The Sun reports. Michael Fallon confirmed land, sea and air defences were being upgraded in the face of a "very live threat" from the government in Buenos Aires on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
A Whitehall source told the newspaper: "The Defence Secretary's decision reflects our operational judgments and the heightened nature of the threat. His comments follow reports Russia is working towards an agreement to lease 12 long-range bombers to Argentina, triggering concerns they could be used to support a renewed attack.
"We want the people of the Falklands to know they are uppermost in our thinking." The island has been the subject of a long-running dispute between the UK and Argentina. Argentina refuses to recognise the British sovereignty of the island, which it calls Las Malvinas, despite its inhabitants voting overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory in a 2013 referendum.
The reported boost to the military garrison is said to be in response to growing fears of an increased threat to the island, which has been the subject of a long-running dispute between the UK and Argentina. Mr Fallon, who is due to set out the Government's plans in a Commons statement later on Tuesday, said the deal was unconfirmed but that Britain had to take account of any future possible threat.
Argentina refuses to recognise the British sovereignty of the island, which it calls Las Malvinas, despite its inhabitants voting overwhelmingly to remain a British overseas territory in a 2013 referendum. Mr Fallon confirmed land, sea and air defences were being upgraded "The threat remains. It is a very live threat. We have to respond to it," he said.
"We do need to modernise our defences to ensure that we have sufficient troops there and that the islands are properly defended in terms of air defence and maritime defence.
"The threat, of course, to the islands remains but so does our commitment to being absolutely clear that islanders have the right to remain British and the right to proper protection by our forces.
"It is our general view that the threat has not reduced. Argentina still, sadly, maintains its claim to the islands 30 or more years after the original invasion and the war and we have to respond to that."
In his Christmas message to residents in the Falklands, David Cameron promised 2015 would be a year when "the British government, again, steadfastly defends the freedom she helped you secure".In his Christmas message to residents in the Falklands, David Cameron promised 2015 would be a year when "the British government, again, steadfastly defends the freedom she helped you secure".
The Prime Minister also announced plans for a bronze statue of the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on the island, which was unveiled in January.The Prime Minister also announced plans for a bronze statue of the former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on the island, which was unveiled in January.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said Mr Fallon would be making a full statement about the review later on Tuesday. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said Mr Fallon would be making a full statement later on Tuesday.
Additional reporting by PAAdditional reporting by PA