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Falkland war was fought between United Kingdom and Argentina over Falkland Islands ,South georgia and South sandwitch islands located in South Atlantic.Even though the war lasted only 10 weeks, It was an eye opener for the majority of modern naval powers around the world. Especially Chinese leaders used the lessons from this war to form a strategy to fight a possible war in the south china sea. China may use the same strategy that of Argentina, occupy the lands by force.
On 2 April 1982 Argentine marines landed on the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic, seized on behalf of Argentina who renamed them the Malvinas. Despite earnest efforts to solve the crisis diplomatically, Great Britain felt compelled to respond with military force. On June 14 1982 Argentine forces on the Falkland surrendered to the British commander.
The Argentine invasion was considered in their strategy a method of expediting a diplomatic solution. Having occupied with a small force, the argentine leaders felt they could negotiate from a strong position. They never thought that Britain will respond militarily from their mainland.
To reestablish control of the islands, British used for p, ase naval strategy as follows:
1) Enforce a 200 mile maritime exclusion zone with submarine until the arrival of surface forces
2) Establish air and sea superiority in the preparation for landing
3) Establish a beachhead support the forces ashore and protect them from air attacks
4) Support the land war and protect the sea lines of communication (SLOC)
2) Establish air and sea superiority in the preparation for landing
3) Establish a beachhead support the forces ashore and protect them from air attacks
4) Support the land war and protect the sea lines of communication (SLOC)
It is an important war for naval planners to study for many reasons, including the following;
-> It saw the first combat use of nuclear powered submarines and V/STOL aircraft
->It was the first time since world war II that the naval forces were subjected to sustained air attack
->Modern cruise missiles were used against warships of a major navy for the first time
->It was a conflict between two western nations using western equipment.
->It was the first time since world war II that the naval forces were subjected to sustained air attack
->Modern cruise missiles were used against warships of a major navy for the first time
->It was a conflict between two western nations using western equipment.
Although Britain failed to achieve a complete dominance , they managed to cause heavy damage to Argentine navy, which forced them to pull back to mainland on the course of the war, which helped in eliminated threats to British surface ships and aircraft,this also helped to gain momentum in land based operations. The war proved how a powerful navy and air force can be used to gain an edge over enemy forces . This is the main reason why Chinese forces now began to modernize their naval forces, especially submarines and aircraft carriers, so that in future conflict in south china sea, they can effectively execute offensive operations and defend their territories with larger naval and air power ,unlike Argentina, who failed to form effective strategies to defend the territories they gained through offensive operations.
India should concentrate on building a strong navy with considerable air power. As we are having territorial disputes with china and as they increased presence in the Indian ocean, we need to be prepared for possible encirclement. Naval aviation and the large submarine force will play crucial role in defending the sea lines.
