Military of the Falkland Islands
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The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory and, as such, rely on the United Kingdom for the guarantee of their security. The other UK territories in the South Atlantic, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, fall under the protection of British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI), formerly known as British Forces Falkland Islands (BFFI), which includes commitments from the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.[3] They are headed by the Commander, British Forces South Atlantic Islands (CBFSAI),[4] a brigadier-equivalent appointment that rotates among all three services (Navy, British Army, and RAF).
British Forces South Atlantic Islands | |
---|---|
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Branch | Joint Service (Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force) |
Size | c. 1,300 to 1,700 military and civilian personnel (as of 2022)[2] |
Part of | Ministry of Defence |
Commanders | |
Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands | Brigadier Dan Duff (since May 2023) |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | Eurofighter Typhoon |
Transport | Airbus A400M Atlas C1, Voyager KC2 & (civilian-crewed) Sikorsky S-92, AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters |
Argentina invaded and took control of the Falklands on 2 April 1982. After recapturing the territory in June 1982, the UK invested heavily in the defence of the islands, the centrepiece of which was a new airfield at RAF Mount Pleasant, 27 miles (43 km) west of Stanley.[5] The base was opened in 1985, and became fully operational in 1986.[6]