Recently, a British airplane's flight around the Falkland Islands generated controversy. The flight path of the aircraft, which was tracked in real-time by the Flightradar24 portal during two flights on January 13 and 14, triggered accusations of treason and other criticisms from the Kirchnerist opposition towards Luis Petri and the Chief of Joint Staff, Brigadier General Xavier Isaac.
Two military reports concluded that the British Air Force Airbus Atlas complied with its navigation in an international airspace. Despite calls for protests against Great Britain, it was determined that the airplane operated in an area classified as Class Golf, which does not require authorization from air traffic control.
However, controversy arose over the lack of detection of the plane in the region by radars. It was highlighted that the radar in Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego, does not have sufficient range to detect aircraft movements beyond 170 nautical miles, while the British airplane flew more than 200 miles.
Past statements from former minister Jorge Taiana and Brigadier Isaac about the strategic importance of radar installation in Tierra del Fuego were recalled in this context. Despite the lack of detection, it was emphasized that the British aircraft did not pose a threat.
Amid the controversy, the Defense Minister's confidence in military leaders to address such situations was highlighted. The situation raised by the British airplane's flight has generated a debate about surveillance and control capabilities in the South Atlantic region.
