Donald Trump sells Argentina £103million Black Hawk helicopters amid Falklands row

Washington said the agreement would strengthen Argentina’s ability to respond to security threats, combat organised and cross-border crime, and provide assistance during natural disasters and other emergencies.

US officials described Argentina as a major non-Nato ally, and said the sale would advance American foreign-policy and security objectives in South America.

The announcement comes at a sensitive moment in relations between Argentina and Britain.

President Javier Milei has renewed his government’s campaign to recover sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls the Islas Malvinas, while recent comments by US President Donald Trump have raised concerns in Britain about Washington’s position.

Mr Milei has argued that international circumstances are becoming more favourable to Argentina’s "claim" to the British territory.

In a televised address last week, he vowed that his country would eventually take over the islands.

His Government has also announced sanctions targeting oil companies involved in exploration around the Sea Lion field, located offshore from the Falklands.

Argentina is simultaneously deepening its military and strategic relationship with Washington, set to establish a new military base in Tierra del Fuego, while Buenos Aires has also secured Western-made F-16 fighter aircraft.

The Black Hawks, however, are unlikely to fundamentally alter the military balance around the Falklands.

The helicopters can carry roughly 11 troops, and have a combat range of about 320 to 370 miles using internal fuel.

That puts the islands, around 250 miles from the nearest point of Argentina, within reach on a one-way flight.

Their limited range, however, would make such an operation impractical without additional support.

Argentina does not possess a dedicated naval vessel capable of transporting the helicopters to the islands.

Auxiliary fuel tanks could extend their range to roughly 950 miles, but the aircraft would remain vulnerable in a contested airspace.

The Falklands are protected by RAF Typhoon fighter aircraft, which would pose a significant threat to lightly armed helicopters attempting to operate there.

British officials have previously been instructed not to obstruct the sale of American F-16s to Argentina, despite concerns over the Falklands dispute.

Britain maintains a longstanding prohibition on exporting weapons and military components to Argentina because of the competing sovereignty claims.

Admiral Lord Alan West, a Falklands veteran and former head of the Royal Navy, said Washington could be seeking to maintain close relations with Buenos Aires, but argued that the helicopters did not significantly change the strategic situation.

Simon Weston, a veteran of the 1982 conflict, similarly played down the military implications, pointing out that the Black Hawk design dates back to the Vietnam era.

Argentina previously operated a single S-70A-30 Black Hawk, acquired in 1994 during Carlos Menem’s presidency.

It served for decades in the presidential fleet before being transferred to the Argentine air force.