The Falklands War: A Conflict Remembered

​​On Apil 2nd, 1982, Argentina invaded the Falklands Islands.

The Falklands War, a defining moment in modern military history, unfolded in the remote South Atlantic, approximately 300 miles (480 kilometers) off the coast of Argentina. Lasting from April to June 1982, this conflict over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands left an indelible mark on both nations involved.

Strategic Value

The Islands, an archipelago consisting of two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland, along with several smaller islands, possess immense strategic value due to their proximity to key shipping lanes and access to maritime resources. Despite their small size — covering an area of about 4,700 square miles — the islands served as a crucial gateway between the Atlantic and Pacific regions, making them strategically vital for maritime navigation, fishing, and potential resource exploration.

The islands had been a point of contention between Argentina and the UK for centuries. Argentina, claiming historical sovereignty over the islands, referred to them as the Malvinas. Tensions escalated in 1982 when Argentina, under the military junta led by General Leopoldo Galtieri, invaded the Falklands, asserting its control over the territory.