Falkland Islands’ defence unit recruiting drone pilots after Argentina’s latest threats

THE Falkland Islands homegrown defence unit is recruiting drone pilots in light of Argentina’s latest threats. The self defence force appealed for volunteers after Argy President Javier Milei vowed to capture the sovereign British territory. The Falkland Islands homegrown defence unit is recruiting drone pilots in light of Argentina’s latest threats Credit: Getty – Contributor Argentina president Javier Milei has repeated bogus claims that the Falkland Islands belong to them Credit: Reuters An online ad said Islands Defence Force are currently “recruiting for a limited number of positions”. It added: “The Falklands Islands Defence force is particularly interested in candidates with local knowledge and navigation experience of the islands [and] drone operation experience.” Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! The force has around 140 islanders from a total population of around 3,500 residents. It said volunteers become “part time soldiers with combat training”. Austin powers lookalike Milei repeated bogus claims last week that the Islands are Argy territory under “British occupation”. Argentina invaded the islands in 1982 and was beaten back after Margaret Thatcher dispatched a naval task force. Major General Julian Thompson, who led 3 Commando Brigade in the conflict, dismissed the Argy claims as “bulls**t”. And he warned Buenos Aires would be “hammered” if they dared to launch an attack. Most read in The Sun The islanders voted 99.8 per cent in favour of remaining British in a referendum in 2013 Credit: Getty The defence force has around 140 islanders from a total population of around 3,500 residents Credit: Getty The islanders voted 99.8 per cent in favour of remaining British in a referendum in 2013. In a defiant statement the Falklands Government said: “Our future is a matter for the people who live here to decide. “That is a right grounded in international law, and it is not altered by the statements of any other government.” One member of the force who spoke to The Sun said: “All militaries around the world now use drones and we are going to be doing the same.” A spokesman said it was part of developing a “capable and adaptable force”. The force has an annual a budget of around £600,000 and is separate from the UK armed forces. There are also four RAF Typhoons fighter jets permanently based in the South Atlantic as well as an infantry company, a Royal Navy patrol ship and Sky Sabre air defence missile batteries. During the 1982 Falklands War, the force was tasked with defending key points in Stanley, including the radio station, telephone exchange and power station. But fearing subsequent reprisals against civilians, the Governor, Sir Rex Hunt, ordered them not to engage the Argentinian forces and to withdraw to the Drill Hall. The Argentines confiscated all of the FIDF’s equipment and declared it to be an illegal organisation. Some members of the FIDF were kept under house arrest at Fox Bay for the duration of the war until the Argentine surrender. The FIDF was reformed in 1983. Comment now