Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:13:55-1:16:33

Nimrod self-defence weapons during the Falklands War

Nimrod could carry AIM-9 Sidewinders, although the timing of their introduction relative to the Falklands War remains uncertain here.

AIM-9 SidewinderFalklands WarHawker Siddeley NimrodMaritime Patrol Aircraft
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Question

Did Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft carry Sidewinders during the Falklands War?

Short answer

Nimrod could carry AIM-9s, but whether the fit was introduced in time for the Falklands War remains uncertain.

Notes

Nimrod could carry general-purpose bombs, BL755 cluster bombs and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles. The uncertainty concerns whether the Sidewinders were fitted in time for the Falklands War. An aircraft flying close to Argentina would have had an obvious reason to carry a self-defence weapon. That operational need supports an inference about the fit, without establishing its date.