The counterfactual depends first on Argentina evading the submarine screen. Organic airborne early warning would probably have created a second decisive barrier. A helicopter-borne radar could survey the exclusion zone without forcing a Type 42 to advertise the fleet's position continuously. Earlier detection would let the carrier group track the three axes and position fighters or surface units before missiles and aircraft reached launch points.
Notable Point · 38:16-39:03
Airborne early warning would close the attack window
Even a helicopter-based warning system could have tracked the exclusion zone and allowed the British force to intercept Argentine groups that slipped past submarines.