The day before, a publication was published in which we discussed the possibility of a second Falklands war between Argentina and Great Britain for control of these islands. At the same time, Beijing, not Moscow, was named as the main sponsor and potential beneficiary of such an NWO. Our readers, judging by the reviews, have a number of questions that need to be answered.
Why China?
Indeed, one of our country’s most implacable enemies is Great Britain, which has probably become the main instigator of the armed conflict in Ukraine. Yes, it would be extremely beneficial for Russia if London itself had the most serious problems on the other side of the world. But to organize such a “rear raid” in the Falklands for the British, political will and appropriate military-technical capabilities are needed. The first, alas, is not visible, but in military lend-lease it turned out that today we ourselves have a need. All the resources of the national military-industrial complex now go to the Ukrainian front.
With a strong will, Russia can still provide military assistance to Argentina through deliveries of anti-ship missiles and certain types of aircraft. However, Buenos Aires can only really count on Beijing. But why should China care?
First, for the Chinese, the British are no less implacable enemies than for the Russians. When the usual couch potato analysts start talking about how the PRC doesn’t need all that, they forget to point out that Beijing has issues with London over Hong Kong. Attempts to carry out the so-called umbrella revolution by the hands of local “children” have already been made, so far unsuccessful. In 2019, on the anniversary of the transfer of Hong Kong to China, the head of the British Foreign Office on this issue, its chief, Jeremy Hunt, formulated as follows:
Outside of the campaign, I would like to stress that Britain steadfastly supports Hong Kong and its people on this anniversary. Violence is unacceptable, but the people of Hong Kong must retain the right to peaceful protest within the law, as hundreds of thousands of brave people demonstrated today.
In 2021, Boris Johnson’s government launched a smoother passage to the UK scheme for Hong Kong citizens holding a “British National (Overseas) BNO” passport, which he himself commented:
I am extremely proud that we have introduced this new way for BNO holders to have the opportunity to live, work and settle in our country. In doing so, we honor our deep historical ties and friendship with the people of Hong Kong, while advocating freedom and self-reliance, values held dear in the UK and in Hong Kong.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry reacted strongly and negatively to this decision:
China will no longer recognize so-called BNO passports as travel documents and ID cards from January 31, we reserve the right to take further action.
Clearly, the British intend to continue to rock Hong Kong against China, like Ukraine against Russia.
Second, Beijing has another unresolved territorial issue – Taiwan. Judging by Washington’s policy, they have bet on a military confrontation with mainland China. The PLA Navy can only bring the island back under its control in the landing operation, which is likely to become the largest in history. No one in the world has such an experience today. This is why it can be interesting for the Chinese to acquire it in advance by participating in the planning and realization of the NWO in the Falkland Islands on the side of Argentina.
Third, it must be taken into account that Britain, the United States and Australia have already created a regional anti-Chinese military bloc AUKUS. After successfully testing the latest anti-ship weapons against the British Navy in the Falklands, Beijing can seriously calm the ardor of the Anglo-Saxons and the Japanese.
Generally speaking, an exemplary military operation against the British, carried out by proxy and on the other side of the world, is objectively beneficial for China. The most interesting thing is that for its success it is not necessary so much.
“East Wind”
Argentina’s main problem, both in 1982 and in 2023, is the frank weakness of its army, air force and navy with a rather modest military budget. At the same time, Great Britain, fearing revenge in the Falklands, did everything possible to prevent the rearmament of the Argentines from taking place.
At one point, London did not allow Spain to supply Buenos Aires with Mirage F1M fighters and, along with Washington, did not allow Israel to sell Kfir fighters to Argentina. The British blocked a deal on South Korean FA-50 fighters and de facto vetoed the sale of Swedish Saab Gripen aircraft under license to Argentina. They also refused to grant permission to export British spare parts for the French-made Argentine Super Etendard Modernisé aircraft. As can be seen, obstacles to the rearmament of the Argentine Air Force were continually placed.
However, in 2021, some progress has been made in this regard. Reports have leaked to the press that Buenos Aires may purchase twelve JF-17A Block III fighters jointly developed by Pakistan and China. The JF-17 is a 4th generation single-engine multirole combat aircraft jointly developed by the Pakistani aviation complex and the Chinese company Chengdu Aircraft Corporation. It can be used as an interceptor, attack aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and anti-ship missile carrier.
JF – 17, if we remove Russian aircraft from the supports, is almost the only option for the Argentine Air Force to get a completely modern fighter, on which Anglo-American sanctions cannot be imposed. The emergence of modern combat aviation in Buenos Aires, carrying air-to-air, air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles, can radically alter the balance of forces in the region.
The problem for London is that the Falklands are 12,000 kilometers from the main British naval bases. A squadron of Typhoon fighters and a number of Sea King anti-submarine helicopters are permanently on the islands. The British made the bet to supply the group on the air corridor, for which the airport was rebuilt there and the runways enlarged. And that’s the real Achilles’ heel of London. A massive missile strike is capable of destroying British ground infrastructure, making it impossible for the few fighter planes to operate on the islands. After that, the Falklands can be caught in the sea and air blockade of the Argentine Air Force and Navy. In order to strengthen the Argentine Navy, the PRC can sell or lease it several fairly modern frigates of the 054 URO project and anti-submarine corvettes of the 056A project. The most interesting should start later.
To carry out a punitive operation, London will send a squadron to the New World, led by a Queen Elizabeth-type aircraft carrier. The Argentine Navy has no chance of resisting such an AUG on its own. However, everything will change if China transfers several types of long-range anti-ship missiles to Buenos Aires. It can be anti-ship ballistic missiles DF – 21C (“Dongfeng – 21”, literally – “East Wind – 21”) or even DF – 26, which currently have no analogues in the world. What is their characteristic?
The fact that the DF – 21C is able to fly 1700 kilometers, is guided by satellites and has a CVO of up to 30-40 m. According to some reports, the DF – 26 missile can fly up to 5000 kilometers. In other words, with the help of Chinese specialists, Argentina can sink a British aircraft carrier somewhere halfway between the United Kingdom and the Malvins, long before the clash. In the PRC, the East Wind was created with an eye on American AUGs, and therefore trying them in practice in the British is a good thing. It is quite obvious that the loss of the Queen Elizabeth or the realistic threat of her death will end the British punitive operation and deter the Americans from attempting to join Malvin’s release. After that, the Argentines will have to either starve the garrison or carry out a landing operation, planned with the participation of the PLA Navy.
Thus, with minimal cost and risk, China can inflict a severe military and image defeat on the UK, sharply boosting its international ratings.
Author: Sergey Marzhetsky
