Britain sends new warship to Falklands - AFP

(AFP) – 2 hours ago 

LONDON — Britain said Tuesday it was sending a state-of-the-art warship to the Falklands Islands, but insisted the deployment was purely routine despite rising tensions over their sovereignty.

Ministry of Defence officials said the decision to send HMS Dauntless was long planned.

The Type 45 destroyer is due to head to the South Atlantic on her maiden voyage in the coming months to replace HMS Montrose.

Prime Minister David Cameron angered Argentina last week by accusing it of "colonialism" over the islands which are a British overseas territory, but which Buenos Aires claims are Argentinian.

That led Argentine President Cristina Kirchner to accuse Cameron of portraying Argentina as "violent" in the dispute.

The issue is especially sensitive as the 30th anniversary approaches of the war over the islands between Britain and Argentina.

Foreign Secretary William Hague played down the deployment of HMS Dauntless, telling Sky News television: "There's nothing unusual about this deployment, it doesn't reflect any change in the situation of any kind.

"These things, they are routine deployments. We do keep a garrison on the Falkland Islands, and of course aircraft there as well. Royal Naval ships frequently visit the area.

"These are routine deployments and they will continue this year as every year."

Hague added: "We will always be in a position to defend the Falkland Islands if necessary, not that we are aware of any military threat to the Falkland Islands at the moment.

"But we will always reaffirm that capability and we will always make sure it is there."

Argentina's then-ruling junta launched an invasion on April 2, 1982. Britain restored its control following a 74-day war which cost the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 British troops.

Tensions over the 30th anniversary have been raised by the announcement that Prince William, Queen Elizabeth II's grandson, will soon spend six weeks on the Falklands as an air force search and rescue helicopter pilot.

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