Tri-Service

Fallon: Britain to Boost Defences to Counter Falklands Threat

The Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has confirmed that the UK is to increase its military presence in the Falkland Islands.

The Falkland Islands are to get two Chinook helicopters and a new ground-to-air missile system in a package of defence upgrades.

The Defence Secretary has announced that £180 million will be spent over the next 10 years to "reinforce our guard" on the Islands.

But despite press reports suggesting more troops would be sent, he said personnel numbers will stay at around 1,200 for the foreseeable future.

Reports from The Sun newspaper said the announcement is in response to a Ministry of Defence review which suggested an attack on the South Atlantic archipelago has become more likely, with speculation that Argentina is planning to lease 12 long-range bombers from Russia.

A Whitehall source told the paper: "The Defence Secretary's decision reflects operational judgments and the increased nature of the threat.

"We want the people of the Falklands to know they are uppermost in our thinking."

According to The Sun, 1,200 troops are stationed on the islands along with a small fleet of Sea King helicopters and RAF Typhoon jets.

The long-running dispute over the British overseas territory has been heightened in recent years, meanwhile, under the presidency of Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

Prime Minister David Cameron, in his Christmas message to the Islanders last December, said this year would also see the unveiling of a bronze statue of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the Falklands.

He said 2015 would be a year when "the British government, again, steadfastly defends the freedom she helped you secure".

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also announced the South Atlantic Medal would be awarded to the archipelago this year for islanders' roles during the 1982 conflict.

Forces TV, meanwhile, has been getting reaction to the news from Falkland Islanders.