....hence my comment that sending an increased ASW capability to the area is highly appropriate. One wonders, had the MR2s not been in their twilight weeks, whether the MoD might have sent one or two down to bolster asw surveillance, and maritime surveillance in general. The T42s are no longer as crucial as they once were, with the Typhoons (which arrived at roughly the same time as HMS York) easily outclassing anything in the entire southern hemisphere, let alone a few airframes which should by rights be sat in a museum by now. Short of a major escalation in the volume of units deployed, the Type 23 really completes the picture in terms of a rounded defence of the islands.[/QUOTE]
The idea that Argentine Special Forces could get ashore would make an interesting scenario. Could a few special Forces teams close down the airfield? A team armed with a few .50cal sniper rifles, MANPADS and light anti armour weapons might make it impossible to operate aircraft until the defending force has neutralised them,but in the time takes to organise the defending infantry, if no Typhoons could get airborne, would that allow a window for the Argentine airforce to mount a raid aimed at damaging the runways?
Here goes. An hour before dawn, three SF teams infiltrate close to the airfield. A Tristar arrives on a supply flight and is hit with an anti tank round as it taxis in, the ensuing blaze and confusion blocks one of the runways. A typhoon is scrambled, but its hit by accurate sniper and light mortar fire as it taxis to the second runway.
Defending forces mobilise and a sustained firefight erupts across the expanse of MPA, the location of the SF forces are soon noted but prove tough to dislodge.
RAF radars on west Falklands detect an incoming raid but with no prospect of getting the three remaining Typhoons airborne until order has been restored, 12 Skyhawks and Mirages streak across MPA, a couple of aircraft fall victim to Rapier but several bombs hit the airport buildings and some cluster weapons are sewn across the hardstandings,a couple of shallow craters are made on the runways. A second raid follows a few hours later.
Two argentine hercules drop a company of Infantry in the Fitzroy area, setting up a loose perimeter before moving to support the attack on the airfield. Argentine "fishing" boats and associated merchant vessels make at speed to the islands to drop off troops in the window when the airfield is out of action. Argentine aircraft return to attack UK ground forces and continue the attack on MPA.
UK forces overwhelm the SF forces attacking MPA, but the runways are too badly damaged to allow take offs and landings, further raids arrive through the day harrassing damage repair teams. The Argentine Navy arrives on scene trying to support landings and provide gunfire support.
With MPA out of action and no prospect of reinforcement the UK forces take up defensive action. The Argentine forces are not strong enough to dislodge them so a stalemate occurs. Both sides have suffered heavy casualties and the Argentine air attacks continue on MPA and defending forces.
The Argentine Govt tries
to whip up Poitical support knowing full well that in 2 weeks its Navy will be forced out of the area by the RN SSN's, two weeks later the RN Task Force will arrive and the UK military will prevail...but they almost managed it, and there are plenty of British casualties.
Is that too far fetched? Im sure the SAS/SBS could tie down 4 fighters long enough for a an strike, could the Argentine SF do the same? Could they infiltrate by submarine as citizen suggests? Or have I had too many lagers?
The idea that Argentine Special Forces could get ashore would make an interesting scenario. Could a few special Forces teams close down the airfield? A team armed with a few .50cal sniper rifles, MANPADS and light anti armour weapons might make it impossible to operate aircraft until the defending force has neutralised them,but in the time takes to organise the defending infantry, if no Typhoons could get airborne, would that allow a window for the Argentine airforce to mount a raid aimed at damaging the runways?
Here goes. An hour before dawn, three SF teams infiltrate close to the airfield. A Tristar arrives on a supply flight and is hit with an anti tank round as it taxis in, the ensuing blaze and confusion blocks one of the runways. A typhoon is scrambled, but its hit by accurate sniper and light mortar fire as it taxis to the second runway.
Defending forces mobilise and a sustained firefight erupts across the expanse of MPA, the location of the SF forces are soon noted but prove tough to dislodge.
RAF radars on west Falklands detect an incoming raid but with no prospect of getting the three remaining Typhoons airborne until order has been restored, 12 Skyhawks and Mirages streak across MPA, a couple of aircraft fall victim to Rapier but several bombs hit the airport buildings and some cluster weapons are sewn across the hardstandings,a couple of shallow craters are made on the runways. A second raid follows a few hours later.
Two argentine hercules drop a company of Infantry in the Fitzroy area, setting up a loose perimeter before moving to support the attack on the airfield. Argentine "fishing" boats and associated merchant vessels make at speed to the islands to drop off troops in the window when the airfield is out of action. Argentine aircraft return to attack UK ground forces and continue the attack on MPA.
UK forces overwhelm the SF forces attacking MPA, but the runways are too badly damaged to allow take offs and landings, further raids arrive through the day harrassing damage repair teams. The Argentine Navy arrives on scene trying to support landings and provide gunfire support.
With MPA out of action and no prospect of reinforcement the UK forces take up defensive action. The Argentine forces are not strong enough to dislodge them so a stalemate occurs. Both sides have suffered heavy casualties and the Argentine air attacks continue on MPA and defending forces.
The Argentine Govt tries
to whip up Poitical support knowing full well that in 2 weeks its Navy will be forced out of the area by the RN SSN's, two weeks later the RN Task Force will arrive and the UK military will prevail...but they almost managed it, and there are plenty of British casualties.
Is that too far fetched? Im sure the SAS/SBS could tie down 4 fighters long enough for a an strike, could the Argentine SF do the same? Could they infiltrate by submarine as citizen suggests? Or have I had too many lagers?
