Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:56:35-3:57:15

HMS Vanguard in the Falklands War

Vanguard's heavy guns and retained 40 mm weapons define her potential contribution in this Falklands counterfactual.

Air DefenceCounterfactual HistoryFalklands WarHMS VanguardLive Q&ANaval Gunfire SupportSan Carlos Water
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Question

Would HMS Vanguard have made a useful difference in the Falklands War?

Short answer

Potentially, through heavy gunfire for troops ashore and air defense around San Carlos, depending on how much of her 40 mm battery she retained.

Notes

A surviving Vanguard could have provided a large amount of naval gunfire for troops ashore. Her contribution around San Carlos would also depend on how many 40 mm anti-aircraft weapons had been retained. The discussion refers to earlier informal analysis and some wargaming of the idea. The result remains conditional on the ship's hypothetical 1982 fit.