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Weapons of the Falklands War facts for kids

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These are some of the main weapons and vehicles used by both sides during the Falklands War. This war happened in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands. Both countries used a variety of aircraft, ships, and ground weapons. These tools played a big role in how the war unfolded.

Aircraft and Their Weapons

This section looks at the different types of aircraft and the weapons they carried. Both Argentina and the UK used planes and helicopters for fighting, scouting, and moving supplies.

Argentina's Air Power

Argentina had a mix of aircraft for different jobs during the war. Their planes and helicopters were key in many battles.

See also: Argentine air forces in the Falklands War

Combat Aircraft

These planes were designed for direct fighting and attacking targets.

  • A-4B/C/Q Skyhawk (used by the Argentine Air Force and Argentine Naval Aviation)
  • Dassault Super Étendard (used by the Argentine Naval Aviation)
  • FMA IA 58A Pucará (used by the Argentine Air Force)

Bomber Aircraft

Bombers were used to drop bombs on enemy positions or ships.

Reconnaissance and Transport Aircraft

These planes helped gather information or move troops and supplies.

  • Learjet 35 (used by the Argentine Air Force and Phoenix Squadron)
  • Boeing 707-320C (used by the Argentine Air Force)
  • C-130H Hercules (used by the Argentine Air Force)

Helicopters

Helicopters were very versatile, used for transport, rescue, and sometimes attack.

Argentine Armament

This is a list of the weapons carried by Argentine aircraft.

Machine Guns and Cannons

Air-to-Air Missiles These missiles were used to shoot down other aircraft.

Air-to-Surface Missiles These missiles were used to attack targets on the ground or at sea.

  • Aérospatiale AM.39 Exocet: This missile was very famous in the war. It sank two British ships and damaged another. The Argentine Navy launched it from Dassault Super Étendard jets and even from a launcher on land.

Bombs

United Kingdom's Air Power

The UK also had a strong air force, including advanced fighter jets and bombers.

See also: British air services in the Falklands War
  • 100 years of the RAF MOD 45163716

    Harriers, Sea Harriers, and a Sea King helicopter on the deck of HMS Hermes.

  • Scout with SS.11s

    A Westland Scout helicopter fitted with Nord SS.11 missiles.

  • HMS Invincible 1980 - 2000 SFPU-N-1084A-6

    A Sea King helicopter landing supplies on HMS Invincible.

  • Bristol at Ascension 2

    A Chinook helicopter delivering supplies to HMS Bristol near Ascension Island.

  • Wessex 1982

    A Westland Wessex helicopter delivering supplies at Ascension Island.

  • Sea King Helicopter- Photographs by Official Photographers. FKD2595

    A Westland Sea King HAS.4 helicopter with HMS Hermes in the background.

  • 100 years of the RAF MOD 45163707

    A Harrier GR.3 getting an engine change on HMS Hermes.

  • HMS Exeter, seen from the HMS Cardiff (June 1982, after the Falklands War)

    View of HMS Exeter from HMS Cardiff. Two Westland Lynx and a Westland Wasp are visible.

  • GADA-Sea Harrier-2

    Wreckage of a Sea Harrier destroyed by anti-aircraft fire.

Combat Aircraft

These were the main fighter and attack planes for the UK.

Bomber Aircraft

Reconnaissance and Transport Aircraft

Helicopters

The UK used many types of helicopters for various tasks, including transport and anti-submarine warfare.

United Kingdom Armament

Here are the weapons carried by British aircraft.

Guns and Cannons

  • 30×111mm ADEN cannon (on Harriers and Sea Harriers)

Air-to-Air Missiles

  • AIM-9L Sidewinder (on Harriers and Sea Harriers): This missile was very effective against Argentine aircraft.

Air-to-Surface Missiles

  • BAe Sea Skua (on Lynx helicopters): This light anti-ship missile damaged the Argentine tug ARA Alferez Sobral.
  • Nord AS.12 (on Wasp and Wessex helicopters): This French missile helped damage the Argentine Submarine ARA Santa Fe.

Bombs

  • 1,000 lb General-Purpose Bomb (used by Vulcans, Harriers, and Sea Harriers)

Torpedoes and Depth Charges

  • Mk. 46 torpedo (used by Nimrods and Sea Kings): Used to attack submarines.

Ships Used in the Conflict

Naval power was very important in the Falklands War. Both sides used many types of ships, from large aircraft carriers to small patrol vessels.

Argentina's Naval Fleet

Argentina's navy included submarines, an aircraft carrier, and various warships.

See also: Argentine naval forces in the Falklands War

Submarines

  • Balao-class submarine (ARA Santa Fe)
  • Type 209 submarine (ARA San Luis)

Aircraft Carriers

  • Colossus-class (ARA Veinticinco de Mayo): This ship carried Argentina's naval aircraft.

Cruisers and Destroyers

  • Brooklyn-class cruiser (ARA General Belgrano): A large warship that was sunk during the conflict.
  • Type 42 destroyer (ARA Santísima Trinidad): Modern destroyers used for defense.

Other Ships

Argentina also used corvettes, tugboats, and auxiliary ships for support and transport. They also seized some ships from the Falkland Islands Company.

United Kingdom's Naval Fleet

The UK sent a large naval task force to the Falklands, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and many support ships.

Royal Navy Ships

  • Invincible-class aircraft carrier (HMS Invincible): These carriers were vital for launching Sea Harrier jets.
  • Type 42 destroyer (HMS Sheffield, HMS Coventry): These destroyers were equipped with powerful missiles.
  • Type 22 frigate (HMS Brilliant, HMS Broadsword): Fast frigates used for escort and anti-submarine warfare.
  • Fearless-class landing platform dock (HMS Fearless): These ships carried landing craft and troops.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)

The RFA provided essential support ships, like tankers for fuel and supply ships for provisions.

  • Ol-class replenishment tanker (RFA Olna): Provided fuel to other ships.
  • Round Table-class landing ship logistics (RFA Sir Galahad): Carried equipment and troops for landing operations.

British Merchant Navy

Many civilian ships were called into service to help transport troops and supplies.

  • Queen Elizabeth 2: A famous ocean liner used to carry thousands of troops.
  • Canberra: Another large passenger ship that helped transport soldiers.
  • Atlantic Conveyor: A container ship that carried helicopters and supplies, later sunk.

Anti-Air Defenses

Anti-air weapons are used to protect against enemy aircraft. Both sides had various systems to defend their positions.

Argentina's Anti-Air Weapons

Argentina used anti-aircraft guns and missiles to protect key areas. Anti-aircraft Guns

  • 40mm Bofors Automatic Gun L/60: A common anti-aircraft gun.
  • 35mm Oerlikon GDF: These guns were effective against low-flying aircraft.

Land-based Surface-to-Air Missiles

  • Roland: Argentina had one of these launchers at Stanley airport. It shot down one British Sea Harrier. Its presence made British planes fly higher, which made their bombing less accurate.
  • Tiger Cat: Argentine land forces had several of these missile launchers.

United Kingdom's Anti-Air Weapons

The UK had naval and land-based anti-air missiles to protect its fleet and ground forces. Naval Surface-to-Air Missiles

  • Sea Dart: A British medium-range missile. It could hit targets far away but struggled with very low-flying planes.
  • Sea Wolf: A British short-range missile that was good at hitting low-flying aircraft.

Land-based Surface-to-Air Missiles

  • Rapier: These missiles were used by the British Army to protect troops on the ground. They were a strong deterrent against air attacks.

Artillery and Mortars

These weapons are used to fire shells over long distances to support ground troops.

Argentina's Artillery and Mortars

  • CITER 155 mm L33 gun: A powerful artillery piece.
  • OTO Melara Mod 56: A lighter, more portable artillery gun.
  • FM 81mm mortar and FM 120mm mortar: Used for close-range fire support.

United Kingdom's Artillery and Mortars

  • L118 light gun: A light and accurate artillery piece used by British forces.
  • L16 81mm mortar: The main mortar used by the British Army.

Vehicles on the Ground

Both armies used various vehicles to move troops, supplies, and equipment.

Argentina's Vehicles

  • LVTP-7: An armored vehicle that could travel on land and water.
  • Panhard AML-90: A light armored car with a powerful gun.
  • Unimog: A versatile truck used for transport.

United Kingdom's Vehicles

  • FV101 Scorpion: A light tank used for reconnaissance and fire support.
  • FV107 Scimitar: Similar to the Scorpion, used for scouting.
  • Land Rover Series III: A common utility vehicle used for many tasks.
  • Alvis Stalwart: A large amphibious truck for moving supplies.

Infantry Weapons

These are the weapons carried by individual soldiers.

Argentina's Infantry Weapons

Argentina's soldiers used a variety of firearms.

Pistols

  • Browning Hi-Power: A common handgun.

Rifles

  • FN FAL 50.61: The standard rifle for many Argentine soldiers.
  • M16A1 rifle: Some specialized units used this American rifle.

Machine Guns

  • FN MAG: A powerful general-purpose machine gun.

Anti-tank Weapons

  • M67 recoilless rifle: Used to destroy enemy tanks and armored vehicles.

Anti-air Weapons

  • 9K32 Strela-2 (SA-7 Grail): A shoulder-fired missile for shooting down aircraft.
  • Blowpipe: Another portable anti-air missile.

Mines

Both anti-personnel (to injure soldiers) and anti-tank (to damage vehicles) mines were used.

United Kingdom's Infantry Weapons

British soldiers also carried a range of weapons for combat.

Pistols

  • L9A1 Browning: The standard pistol.

Rifles

  • L1A1 SLR: The main battle rifle for British troops.
  • L42A1 sniper rifle: Used by snipers for long-range accuracy.

Machine Guns

  • L7A2 GPMG: A general-purpose machine gun, very versatile.
  • Enfield L4A2 Bren: A light machine gun.

Anti-tank Weapons

  • MILAN anti-tank guided missile: A powerful missile used to destroy tanks.
  • L14A1 Carl Gustav: A shoulder-fired weapon for attacking armored targets.

Anti-air Weapons

  • FIM-92 Stinger: A shoulder-fired missile for shooting down aircraft.
  • Blowpipe: Another portable anti-air missile.
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