Falklands War veteran Simon Weston has dismissed Argentine President Javier Milei's claims on the British territory as "ridiculous" and lacking any substance. Weston, who suffered severe burns during the 1982 conflict, stated that Argentina's latest assertions "mean absolutely nothing."
"The Argentine navy is mainly where we left it, at the bottom of the sea," Weston told the BBC. "They haven't invested in their army. They've bought some jets from Denmark but I don't think they are going to use force."
Weston suggested that while Milei has stated he will not resort to force, his position could change. He also commented on former US President Donald Trump's apparent sympathy for Milei's stance, describing it as "throwing a hissy fit" following Britain's decision not to support the US campaign against Iran.
Referring to Milei's assertion that "winds of change" favored Argentina's claim, Weston countered, "They're just empty words and they mean absolutely nothing. It is just rhetoric – he's sabre-rattling again, unsettling the Islanders, but playing to the crowd. Argentina is in economic crisis – that's what caused them to invade 44 years ago. Nothing has changed."
Weston also deemed Milei's proposed sanctions on oil companies as "ridiculous," arguing that the firms have no presence in Argentina.
Military experts concur that Argentina lacks the capability to retake the Falklands by force. The presence of a British military garrison, including RAF Typhoon jets and the Sky Sabre air defence system, deters any potential invasion. Argentine airfields are located over 300 nautical miles from the islands, and its naval and air forces do not possess sufficient refuelling capabilities to support sustained attacks with its recently acquired F-16 fighter jets, six of which arrived from Denmark in November of the previous year, with 18 more expected by 2028.
Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe stated that an Argentinian invasion is not feasible in the current climate due to a lack of logistical support, a stark contrast to 1982 when the country possessed an aircraft carrier. Sharpe believes Argentina would not attempt a repeat of the 1982 gamble, which resulted in the deaths of 255 British servicemen.