It would take too long to get into operation to be an interim solution until a real MPA is purchased. The real design and qualification work would take years even using components sourced from the defunct MRA4 project.

An interim solution would be taking P3 Orion out of AMARG or as a hot swap from the USN.

Yep it would only make matters worse handing West Falkland to the Argentinians. You would certainly expect a flood of patriotic immigrants to Isla Gran Malvina as it would be called fully supported by the Argentine Government. They would certainly build a large settlement (settlements) plus airport/airbase and a harbour regardless of the landscape or logistic issues, very rapidly there would be far more Argentinians on West Falkland vs Falkland Islanders on East Falkland. You would then very quickly have all sorts of tit for tat problems over airspace and the local waters, the UK would also have to massively increase the defenses on East Falkland as well as re-site both radars as it would in effect take away all of Argentina’s logistic problems if they made an aggressive move towards the rest of the Islands. Also as Swerve already pointed out it would send out a very clear message to the Argentine people that British resolve over the matter was weakening giving an excuse to be more aggressive in their demands.

No it is far better to politely ignore Argentina’s colonial ambitions and maintain the diplomatic stand point of respecting the Falkland Islanders right to self determination.

Actually one of the fears of the British military before the end of the Falklands war was the UN declaring a cease fire whilst there was a significant number of Argentine troops on West Falkland.

I only think we can pull that to some degree, the Americans know that EMALS is the most realistic solution within the time frame. That said I think EMALS would pretty much be sold at cost price, its a bespoke item rather then mass produced. General Atomics will be looking at making money with through life support.

How about going all Swedish and opting for the Gripen? There may be earlier surplus airframes from the Swedes that could be upgraded for the immediate future, and then opting for perhaps license assembly of Gripen NG? If funds allow, perhaps throw in a few Erieyes as well?

Significant British content in all Gripen variants makes it a bit difficult.

Buitreaux is from Argentina and has a good handle of the current status of their Airforce so it might be worth popping him a PM.

From what I know the Mirage have gone through modernisation through the years, in particular a cockpit upgrade after the Falklands war mainly using French components. They are purely WVR only and I don’t know about a ground attack capability for the III. The simple fact is the airframes are very close to time expiring now with out a very deep rebuild, maybe along the lines of what PAC KAMRA does. Not that Argentina would be interested. As for new fighters they refuse to consider Chinese or Russian preferring a French solution at this time. Gripen is pretty much counted out due to the significant UK content as is Typhoon. They are not interested in F16 but expressed some interest in Super Hornet apparently. They have been keen to get some Mirage 2000 as France starts to retire them and stories of a purchase of surplus Jordanian Mirage F1 appears to be unfounded.

The Skyhawks are LGB capable but serviceability hasn’t been great in recent years.

Don’t know anything about the Pampas.

As far as a heavier missile, why?

Totally agree, Hellfire can still kill pretty much everything on the battle field. It should be noted that before Desert Storm the Americans got worried about the Iraqis em-placing their T72 behind large soil banks. They did a test to see what would happen and found Hellfire was still able to utterly destroy its target.

If the Marine Corp are getting them nobody hold any illusions about them flying again. There is significant avionics differences between a GR7/9 and an AV8B/+, if they are going to America they will be parted out to keep the current AV8B fleet alive. Certainly major airframe and engine components would be useful to the Americans.

Yeah I would say a center of gravity of issue as well, certainly interesting if they are doing that at this stage.