UK Defence officials however did admit that there was “friendly dialogue by radio” between the South Atlantic patrol vessel HMS York and the Argentine corvette ARA Drummond while sailing in the area in rough waters.
“We can confirm that on 28 January this year during rough weather and at night, HMS York and an Argentine ship were operating in the same locality,” said a ministry statement.
The incident happened in international waters around 50 miles from the territorial waters of the Falklands, said the ministry.
“After a friendly dialogue by radio they each continued with their own exercises,” said the statement.
The Falklands are at the centre of a dispute between London and Buenos Aires after British oil companies announced drilling plans off the Islands, over which Argentina claims sovereignty.
The Sun newspaper reported the HMS York monitored the progress of the Argentine corvette ARA Drummond before radioing the vessel to change course.
The paper said the ship had entered a so-called conservation zone, the area where Britain is carrying out oil exploration.
The local British garrison isn't that robust.
The British Army maintains a small garrison on the Falkland Islands based at Mount Pleasant. The total deployment is about 500 personnel made up of an roulement infantry company, an engineer squadron, a signals unit (part of the Joint Communications Unit - see below), a logistics group and supporting services.
However, there are plenty of naval vessels in the area, or capable of getting there in a hurry.
By: Widow 6-7
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