MOD insists it's confident in the security of the Falkland Islands despite claims of downgrade

The Ministry of Defence has defended the security of the Falkland Islands after a report claimed it relies on a small Royal Navy patrol vessel and four RAF Typhoons to protect the territory.

A report in the Daily Telegraph said the islands had previously been patrolled by a frigate or destroyer, but this had since been "downgraded" as the last time a major warship had been deployed was Type 23 frigate HMS Portland in 2017.

The report states that naval protection is provided solely by the offshore patrol vessel HMS Forth – which has one 30mm cannon.

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It also highlights that of the four Typhoon jets which remain on the island, one is not operational.

The paper suggests this has led to calls to review the security of the Falklands, particularly since Argentina announced plans to boost its armed forces - leading to fears of a "repeat of 1982".

A MOD spokeswoman said: "We remain fully confident in the security of the Falkland Islands and the capability we have in place to defend them, including British Army soldiers stationed at Mount Pleasant, as well as the presence of RAF Typhoon jets and the Royal Navy's patrol vessel."

In response to a written Parliamentary question last month, Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said: "The Ministry of Defence undertakes regular assessments of the requirements for Defence support to the Falkland Islands.

"I am satisfied that the military presence in the South Atlantic is at the appropriate level to ensure the defence of the Islands."

In December, HMS Forth, the first of the Royal Navy's new offshore patrol vessels, paid a visit to the remote island of South Georgia, meeting some of its permanent residents - penguins and seals.

South Georgia is a British Overseas Territory 800 miles east of the Falkland Islands, and part of HMS Forth's mission is to regularly patrol the waters.

Last month, HMS Forth's crew also worked with scientists in South Georgia to help understand the global impact of bird flu.

The vessel continues to offer reassurance and protection in and around the Falkland Islands and assists the Government in protecting the sovereignty of their waters.