Falklands War hero Simon Weston dismisses Javier Milei's 'ridiculous' threat to retake the islands

Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREESee more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 18:22 EDT, 4 September 2026 | Updated: 18:35 EDT, 4 September 2026 Britain's most celebrated Falklands War veteran has dismissed Argentine threats to retake the islands as 'ridiculous'.Welsh Guardsman Simon Weston, who suffered severe burns in the 1982 South Atlantic conflict, said Argentina's latest claims to the British territory 'mean absolutely nothing'.Mr Weston survived the sinking of the Royal Navy ship Sir Galahad after it was struck by a missile. Of his platoon of 30 men, 22 were killed.But the veteran rubbished prospects that Argentina could retake the islands.'The Argentine navy is mainly where we left it, at the bottom of the sea,' he told the BBC. 'They haven't invested in their army. They've bought some jets from Denmark but I don't think they are going to use force. '(Argentine president Javier) Milei has said they're not going to fight but he could change his position overnight.'Mr Weston added that Donald Trump, who has appeared sympathetic to Mr Milei's position, was 'throwing a hissy fit', after Britain declined to support the US campaign against Iran.He also hit back at Mr Milei, who said that 'winds of change' favoured his country's claim to the islands. Welsh Guardsman Simon Weston, who suffered severe burns in the 1982 South Atlantic conflict, said Argentina's latest claims to the British territory 'mean absolutely nothing' Military experts agree that Argentina could not recover the Falklands by force due to the presence of a British military garrison on the islands, including a quartet of RAF Typhoon jets Argentine president Javier Milei has insisted he will 'act swiftly' to 'recover' the Falkland Islands, which he claims belong to Argentina by law and historical precedent'They're just empty words and they mean absolutely nothing. It is just rhetoric – he's sabre-rattling again, unsettling the Islanders, but playing to the crowd.'Argentina is in economic crisis – that's what caused them to invade 44 years ago. Nothing has changed.'Mr Weston said the Argentine president's proposed sanctions on oil companies were 'ridiculous' because the firms 'haven't got a footprint' in their country.Military experts agree that Argentina could not recover the Falklands by force due to the presence of a British military garrison on the islands, including a quartet of RAF Typhoon jets.The closest Argentine airfields are 300 nautical miles from the islands, while its air and naval forces do not include sufficient refuelling assets to sustain attacks by the recently purchased F-16s.Six of the US-manufactured but previously Danish-owned jets arrived in Argentina in November last year. A further 18 are expected by 2028. It is understood the UK did not oppose the sale.The Typhoons from the RAF's 1435 Flight comprise a quick-reaction force should Argentina launch any attack. The Sky Sabre air defence system positioned on Mount Byron also provides protection.Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe said: 'Could Argentina invade us tomorrow? The answer is no. They lack the logistic support. 'In 1982 they had the famous aircraft carrier the General Belgrano. They don't today. Back then the military junta ruling the country calculated a rapid operation might create a fait accompli before Britain could respond effectively.'It was a gamble that didn't pay off. I don't think they'd try that again.'Some 255 British servicemen were killed in the 1982 conflict.