Q&A · 2:25:05-2:25:41

An expanded Argentine fleet in the Falklands War

Additional Leander-class frigates and support ships would likely be used in 1982, but the larger fleet might change which major Argentine cruiser became the submarine target.

Question

How would the Falklands War change if Argentina had bought four Leander frigates and additional support ships?

Short answer

Argentina would probably deploy them, and the larger fleet might change which major cruiser was exposed and sunk.

Notes

The answer assumes that Argentina would deploy the additional frigates and support ships rather than leave them outside the campaign. Their presence would change the fleet structure available in 1982. A stronger force might make it less likely that General Belgrano remained the cruiser exposed to a British submarine. The famous sinking could therefore fall on another major Argentine unit even if the larger strategic pattern still produced a cruiser loss.