Royal Navy submarine sent to patrol Falklands
Move comes as British firm said to have struck oil
By Rita Brown
Published: 17/03/2010
A NUCLEAR-POWERED Royal Navy attack submarine has been sent to patrol waters around the Falkland Islands, it was reported today.
The move came after it was believed British firm Desire Petroleum struck oil at the site.
According to experts, the waters around Falklands could contain more than 60 billion barrels of crude oil.
But they also warned the discovery could heighten tension in what already is a political hotspot.
Argentina’s president Cristina Kirchner has argued the islands were illegally occupied by the British, spurring protests in the country.
It was understood the Royal Navy submarine, HMS Sceptre, was ordered to the Falkland Islands from its post on the coast of southern Africa in a bid to step up security in the area.
The 5,000 tonne Swiftsure-class vessel is thought to be equipped with Spearfish anti-ship torpedoes.
Desire Petroleum, whose share prices have recently sky-rocketed, was expected to announce whether it has found oil.
The company is the first in a string of British-backed firms expected to drill off the islands in the coming months.
Naval expert Steve Bush said the submarine will remain an invisible threat while it’s there.
He said: “It will remain underwater, totally stealthy. They will remain invisible.”
The Ministry of Defence refused to comment.
