Military of the Falkland Islands The Falkland Islands are a British overseas territory and , as such , rely on the UK for guarantee of their security . The other UK territories in the South Atlantic , South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands , fall under the protection of the British forces on the Falklands ( also known as British Forces Falkland Islands or British Forces South Atlantic Islands ) , which includes commitments from the British Army , Royal Air Force and Royal Navy . They are headed by the Commander of the British Forces South Atlantic Islands ( CBFSAI ) . The maintenance of only a token military force before the Falklands War , and the suggestion that HMS " Endurance " was to be withdrawn , persuaded Argentina to start that conflict , assuming that Britain would not respond or be easily able to recapture the islands . Following the reclamation of the territory in 1982 , the UK invested heavily in the defence of the islands , the centrepiece of which is the new airfield at RAF Mount Pleasant , west of Stanley . The base was opened in 1985 , and became fully operational in 1986 . Falkland Islands Defence Force . The Falkland Islands maintains its own part - time volunteer force , the Falkland Islands Defence Force ( FIDF ) , previously known as the Falkland Islands Volunteer Corps . Although this unit existed in 1982 as a reinforcement for the Governor ' s detachment of Royal Marines , it did not play any part in the main conflict during the war of 1982 , its members having spent the duration of the hostilities under house arrest by the Argentines after their surrender on Argentine capture of the islands . The FIDF is now a company - strength light infantry force with a permanent training Warrant Officer seconded from the Royal Marines . They operate in a number of roles and are fully integrated into the defence scheme for the islands . The FIDF have been trained by the Royal Navy to operate Oerlikon 20 mm cannon and to board vessels suspected of fishery poaching . Royal Navy . RAF Mount Pleasant has its own port facility called Mare Harbour , and the Royal Navy maintains a presence in the area with a frigate or guided missile destroyer accompanied by an RFA vessel in the South Atlantic and a patrol ship , currently HMS " Clyde " permanently close to the islands . In addition , an Ice Patrol Ship , , is on station close to Antarctica for six months of the year . The warship and RFA vessel carry out the Atlantic Patrol Task ( South ) mission which " provides a maritime presence to protect the UK ' s interests in the region " . The Type 42 destroyer HMS " Edinburgh " took over the South Atlantic Patrol Task in October 2006 , replacing HMS " Southampton " . Prior to " Southampton ' s " deployment in August 2005 the role was filled by HMS " Cardiff " , which was decommissioned on return to the UK . As of February 2010 , the on - station warship was the Type 42 destroyer HMS " York " . In late April 2010 , HMS York was relieved by the Type 23 frigate HMS " Portland " . In August 2010 , HMS Portland was relieved by the Type 42 destroyer HMS " Gloucester " . On 21 April 2011 , HMS " York " arrived at the East Cove Military Port in the Falkland Islands , beginning patrol duties for the islands . October 2011 saw the arrival of Type 23 frigate HMS " Montrose " , generating a statement from UNASUR ( Union of South American Nations ) . Type 45 Guided Missile Destroyer HMS " Dauntless " will replace HMS Montrose as of April 2012 . The Falkland Islands Patrol ship is a River class patrol vessel , which replaced the previous Castle class patrol vessel . In 2007 HMS " Clyde " relieved HMS " Dumbarton Castle " and HMS " Leeds Castle " . It is planned that she will stay permanently in the South Atlantic until 2018 . The Royal Navy also has " Trafalgar " and " Astute " class nuclear submarine s that it can deploy to the area , though such deployments are classified . The threat from submarines to hostile ships was demonstrated during the Falklands War when HMS " Conqueror " sank the Argentine cruiser ARA " General Belgrano " . The Royal Navy ' s submarines also carry BGM - 109 Tomahawk cruise missile s which have a range of and can strike at targets within an enemy country . " The Sun " newspaper has speculated that a " Swiftsure " class attack submarine , HMS " Sceptre " , was sent to the islands in March 2010 . In February 2012 , a " Trafalgar " - class nuclear submarine may be deployed to the Falkland Islands . British Army . The British Army maintains a garrison on the Falkland Islands based at Mount Pleasant . The total deployment is about 1200 personnel made up of a " roulement " infantry company , an engineer squadron , a signals unit ( part of the Joint Communications Unit – see below ) , a logistics group and supporting services . The British Army contributes to the Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal group ( see below ) in the Falkland Islands , providing 33 Engineer Regiment ( EOD ) and RLC EOD teams . There are also Rapier Missile stations and other anti - air equipment deployed on the islands . Royal Air Force . RAF Mount Pleasant , built following the surrender of Argentine invasion forces , is capable of accepting trans - Atlantic aircraft such as the Lockheed TriStar . The TriStar was purchased mainly for the UK - Falklands route ; until their entry into service the UK used leased 747s and 767s . The TriStar will be replaced by the Airbus Voyager or the British Aerospace 146 . Four Typhoon aircraft provide air defence for the islands and surrounding territories and have a secondary ground attack role . A TriStar provides air transport and aerial refuelling for the fighters . When a fighter is launched it is almost immediately followed by the tanker as changeable weather conditions might make diversion to another airfield necessary . The Hercules provides resupply missions through the use of air - drops and also carries out maritime patrol . The helicopter s of No . 1564 Flight ( formerly No . 78 Squadron ) provide air transport missions . The Sea Kings carry out short and medium range search and rescue missions . The sole remaining Chinook was returned to the UK in October 2006 to be redeployed to Afghanistan . Joint Service . The Joint Communications Unit Falkland Islands ( JCUFI ) provides the electronic warfare and command and control systems for the Royal Navy , Army and RAF stationed there . It incorporates the Army ' s signals unit and RAF personnel . Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal in the Falkland Islands consists of 33 Engineer Regiment ( EOD ) , RAF and RLC EOD teams . It is mainly based in Stanley but there is also a detachment at Mount Pleasant . The groups operates the Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations Center . The group destroys munitions from the Falklands War that did not explode at the time and briefs troops , tourists and citizens on the areas which are safe and the minefield marking which have been put in place . Augmentation forces . The UK maintains a Joint Rapid Reaction Force containing elements of all three services which could be deployed to the islands in the event of receiving intelligence of a specific threat to the islands . Expenditure . The estimated Sterling figure ( FY04 / 05 ) was £365 million which came from the UK defence budget . This equates to a US $ figure ( FY04 / 05 ) of $ 657 million and as a percent of British GDP ( 2004 ) amounts to approximately 0 . 03 % . Commanders . The following have served as Commander British Forces Falkland Islands / South Atlantic Islands :