Did France sell weapons to Argentina during the Falklands War?

When the war began, France embargoed weapons sales and support for Argentina. They also allowed the British to use French ports in West Africa and provided them with information on the weapons and planes that they had sold to Argentina. French President Francois Mitterrand made the decision to aid the British.

Why did Argentina lose the Falklands War?

The food shortages were serious, but it was lack of adequate clothing, bedding, and shelter that really affected the thousands of Argentine conscripts hastily sent to the islands. The bitter cold and ”freezing rain” that washes down on the Falklands in the winter bedeviled the whole operation.

Did France send Exocet missiles to Argentina?

They showed that Exocet missiles were sold to Argentina by France prior to the war before it seemed likely the two countries would enter into combat with each other.

Can Argentina invade the Falklands again?

Argentina has no capability to re-invade the Falklands, the UK is in a far better position to repel an attack let alone retake the islands.

What weapons were used in the Falklands War?

Infantry weapons

• M79 Grenade launcher.
• M203 Grenade launcher.
• L4 Bren light machine gun.
• L7A2 GPMG general-purpose machine gun.
• L2A1 HMG heavy machine gun (for air defence)
• Rocket 66 mm HEAT L1A1.
• L14A1 Carl Gustav recoilless rifle.
• MILAN ATGM anti-tank guided missile.

Where did Argentina get Exocet missiles?

How does an Exocet missile work?

When launched it uses its radar altimeter to skim over the sea at a height of ten metres (33 feet) and then descend to three metres (ten feet) as it closes in on its unfortunate target. On impact, the blast fragmentation warhead is capable of inflicting serious damage to huge warships such as destroyers and frigates.

Did France sell Argentina’s Exocet missiles before the Falklands War?

Before the war, France sold Argentina’s military junta five Exocet missiles. At the time, few suspected that the regime’s longstanding claim on the Falklands would lead to war, and the sale went largely unnoticed.

Did the French repair the Exocet missile?

But at the same time, according to convincing evidence unearthed by the BBC, a group of French technicians in Argentina fine-tuned and repaired the five air-launched Exocet missiles the Argentinians had already purchased. It was the most potent weapon in their armoury.

What are the missiles of France?

Missiles of France. France is one of the world’s major missile powers, with an array of sophisticated ballistic and cruise missile programs. It is also one of the five recognized nuclear weapon states and a permanent member of the UN Security Council. France’s nuclear deterrent is split between two legs: its fleet of nuclear ballistic missile…

Does France have any nuclear deterrents?

France’s nuclear deterrent is split between two legs: its fleet of nuclear ballistic missile submarines and its arsenal of nuclear air-launched cruise missiles. France first acquired nuclear weapons in 1954, in part due to a reluctance to rely on the U.S. nuclear umbrella to deter a Soviet attack.