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I recall reading that the Falkland Islanders had been seeking a decent airport for years to replace the smaller strip at Stanley. Supposing an airport had been built in the 1970s, perhaps to support offshore oil or tourism.
Would the RAF have bothered to deploy Phantoms there in view of the relatively positive relations between UK and Argentina before 1982?
If Argentina had captured the airport intact as part of its invasion in 1982 could the UK have retaken the islands?
For my part I suspect the Thatcher government would have looked at, and then rejected, blockading Argentina with the RN. The Haig peace initiative and Jean Kirkpatrick would have succeeded in a deal over the islands.
Humiliated abroad and unpopular at home Thatcher goes on to lose the 1983 General Election to Michael Foot's Labour.
Anti US sentiment and dislike of Reagan in particular influences Britain's support for NATO. Foot calls for the withdrawal of US nuclear forces from the UK and cancels procurement of Trident. The Polaris submarines will be phased out as part of Arms Control negotiations with the USSR.
The Galtieri Junta is still overthrown despite its recovery of the Malvinas. The UK secures a deal to sell an Invincible class carrier and escorts to the new democratic government in Buenos Aires.
Would the RAF have bothered to deploy Phantoms there in view of the relatively positive relations between UK and Argentina before 1982?
If Argentina had captured the airport intact as part of its invasion in 1982 could the UK have retaken the islands?
For my part I suspect the Thatcher government would have looked at, and then rejected, blockading Argentina with the RN. The Haig peace initiative and Jean Kirkpatrick would have succeeded in a deal over the islands.
Humiliated abroad and unpopular at home Thatcher goes on to lose the 1983 General Election to Michael Foot's Labour.
Anti US sentiment and dislike of Reagan in particular influences Britain's support for NATO. Foot calls for the withdrawal of US nuclear forces from the UK and cancels procurement of Trident. The Polaris submarines will be phased out as part of Arms Control negotiations with the USSR.
The Galtieri Junta is still overthrown despite its recovery of the Malvinas. The UK secures a deal to sell an Invincible class carrier and escorts to the new democratic government in Buenos Aires.
