Javier Milei told his nation on Thursday that Argentina would “prevail” in its efforts to reclaim the Falkland Islands, after Donald Trump said he would reconsider the United States’ long-standing neutrality and cast doubt on Britain’s ability to defend itself. Emboldened by Trump’s blessing, the Argentine president said in a televised address that he would sanction oil companies drilling in the British overseas territory in a move likely to escalate tensions with London. Our national claim is facing a clear and present danger and requires a proportional response.
We will not allow it.” The comments came after president Trump suggested the United States might not come to Britain’s aid in the event of an attack and questioned whether London would have the capabilities to fend off another invasion on its own. An expanded defence partnership with the United States has helped Argentina to undertake a major transformation of its armed forces, more than four decades after suffering a resounding defeat to the British in 1982. But analysts say Argentina is still “years off being able to even consider any military options in the Falklands”, while Britain can still project power to reinforce the islands and remain a global player - but should take the threats as a “wake up call”.
Buenos Aires has steadily been rebuilding its military under Milei, who has been in power since 2023, through deals made with Europe and the United States. The country still only spends around 0.8 per cent of GDP on defence, worth around $3.9bn. Exact figures on active personnel were not immediately available.
Philip Ingram MBE, a former intelligence and security officer with the British Army, told The Independent: “The Argentinians are in a much weaker position militarily today than they were in 1982. And no matter what we say about British defence at the moment - and it is in an absolutely appalling condition - actually we’ve got a greater ability to defend the Falklands today than we had.” The Argentine government in 2024 agreed to buy 24 second-hand US-made F-16 fighter jets from Denmark for $300 million, with the first six arriving in December last year. Milei framed the deal as the most important military acquisition in 50 years, and the ministry of defence said the jets - expected in batches of six each year until 2028 - would form the backbone of the air force.
Buenos Aires announced late in August that it was moving forward with a deal to buy 235 Stryker armoured vehicles from the United States. The government said they were also enhancing cooperation through joint training exercises with the US military. Argentina has around 200 medium TAM tanks, though the marshy terrain of the Falklands would not lend itself to tank warfare.
The Argentine fleet is also weaker than it was in 1982. The country no longer operates an aircraft carrier or operational submarines. It can field three aging destroyers and six corvettes.
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