On this day, forty years ago, HMS Sheffield, a Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy, fell victim to an Exocet missile launched from an Argentine Super Étendard strike fighter. The attack resulted in the tragic loss of 20 crew members and injuries to 26 others. At the time, this shocking news sent palpable waves of vulnerability across the Task Force, stationed 8,000 miles away from home on a mission to reclaim the Falklands.
As we look back on the success of the mission to liberate the islands, it is crucial to remember that victory was far from certain. The distances involved and the strength of the enemy posed significant challenges. However, as Charles Moore astutely notes, this triumph was not only the result of the courage and skill of the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who recaptured the occupied British territory. It owed a great debt to the scientists who worked tirelessly to devise strategies to neutralize the missile threats.
One aspect of the story that raises concerns is France’s stance during the conflict. French companies had supplied both the Argentine fighter planes and the Exocet missiles, making them an important source of information for the British military in gauging the enemy’s capabilities. President François Mitterrand initially declared support for Britain, but the extent of France’s assistance remains a subject of question.
According to the French, the missiles sold to Argentina did not include the customary “kill switches” that would allow them to be disabled if used against the sellers. These switches were intentionally omitted to avoid discouraging potential buyers. However, skeptical British officials requested scientists to examine one of the guidance systems, leading them to discover countermeasures that limited the effectiveness of the Argentine air force.
Even after four decades, an important question remains: Did the French government possess this knowledge, and if so, why did they not inform Britain? Given that President Mitterrand’s brother, Jacques, participated in the negotiations between manufacturer Aérospatiale (which he headed) and Argentina, obtaining this information could not have been overly difficult.
Official secrecy shrouds these matters, but it is high time that we uncover the full truth. Perhaps, in the spirit of Franco-UK friendship, President Macron could open the archives and grant us access to the answers we seek.
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