List of weapons in the Falklands War – Knowipedia – The Next Generation of Global Knowledge

**List of Weapons in the Falklands War**

**Definition**
The Falklands War, fought in 1982 between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the disputed Falkland Islands, involved a wide array of military weapons and equipment. This list details the principal weapons systems, small arms, artillery, naval vessels, and aircraft utilized by both sides during the conflict.

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## Introduction

The Falklands War was a ten-week conflict that took place between April and June 1982, primarily involving British and Argentine forces. The war saw the deployment of diverse weaponry across land, sea, and air domains. Both nations employed a mixture of modern and legacy weapons, reflecting their respective military inventories at the time. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the key weapons used by the British and Argentine forces during the conflict.

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## British Weapons in the Falklands War

### Small Arms and Infantry Weapons

– **L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle**
The standard British infantry rifle during the conflict, the L1A1 is a 7.62×51mm NATO caliber semi-automatic rifle derived from the FN FAL. It was the primary weapon for British soldiers on the ground.

– **L2A3 Sterling Submachine Gun**
Used by some British troops, particularly in close quarters and by special forces, the Sterling fired 9×19mm Parabellum rounds.

– **L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun**
A 7.62mm NATO belt-fed machine gun, the L7A2 was widely used for infantry support and mounted on vehicles.

– **L9A1 Browning Pistol**
The standard sidearm for British officers and certain personnel, chambered in 9mm.

– **M72 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon)**
A portable, one-shot 66mm rocket launcher used by British infantry to engage armored vehicles and fortifications.

– **MILAN Anti-Tank Guided Missile**
The MILAN was a wire-guided anti-tank missile system used by British forces to counter Argentine armor.

– **L16 81mm Mortar**
The primary mortar for British infantry units, providing indirect fire support.

– **L14A1 Carl Gustav Recoilless Rifle**
A 84mm recoilless rifle used for anti-armor and bunker-busting roles.

### Artillery and Support Weapons

– **105mm Light Gun**
The British Army’s primary artillery piece in the conflict, the 105mm Light Gun was air-transportable and provided effective fire support.

– **Blowpipe Surface-to-Air Missile**
A man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) used by British forces to defend against low-flying Argentine aircraft.

– **Rapier Surface-to-Air Missile System**
A more advanced SAM system deployed to protect key British positions and ships from air attack.

### Naval Weapons

– **Sea Dart Missile System**
A long-range surface-to-air missile system mounted on Royal Navy destroyers and frigates, designed to engage high-altitude aircraft and missiles.

– **Sea Wolf Missile System**
A short-range, rapid-reaction missile system used on Royal Navy ships for close-in air defense.

– **5-inch (127mm) Naval Guns**
Royal Navy destroyers and frigates were equipped with 5-inch guns for naval gunfire support and surface engagements.

– **Torpedoes and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Weapons**
British warships carried torpedoes and depth charges for anti-submarine operations.

### Aircraft Weapons

– **Harrier GR3 and Sea Harrier FRS1**
The British Harrier jets were equipped with a variety of weapons including AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, 30mm ADEN cannons, and conventional bombs.

– **AIM-9 Sidewinder Missiles**
Infrared homing air-to-air missiles used by British Harriers to engage Argentine aircraft.

– **Laser-Guided Bombs (Paveway)**
Some British aircraft employed laser-guided bombs for precision strikes.

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## Argentine Weapons in the Falklands War

### Small Arms and Infantry Weapons

– **FN FAL Rifle**
The standard Argentine infantry rifle, chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, similar in design to the British L1A1.

– **FM FAP Submachine Gun**
A 9mm submachine gun used by Argentine forces, particularly in close combat.

– **FN MAG Machine Gun**
A 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun used extensively by Argentine infantry.

– **M2 Browning Heavy Machine Gun**
A .50 caliber heavy machine gun used for anti-personnel and light anti-vehicle roles.

– **M79 Grenade Launcher**
A single-shot, 40mm grenade launcher used by Argentine troops.

– **M9 Bazooka**
A shoulder-fired anti-tank rocket launcher used by Argentine infantry.

– **81mm Mortars**
Argentine forces employed 81mm mortars for indirect fire support.

### Artillery and Support Weapons

– **105mm Pack Howitzer**
Used by Argentine artillery units, these guns provided fire support during ground engagements.

– **Oerlikon 20mm Cannons**
Mounted on Argentine naval vessels and used for air defense.

– **Bofors 40mm Guns**
Anti-aircraft guns deployed on ships and ground positions.

– **Roland Surface-to-Air Missile System**
A short-range SAM system used by Argentine forces to defend key positions.

### Naval Weapons

– **Exocet MM38 Anti-Ship Missile**
The French-made Exocet missile was a significant threat to British naval forces. Argentine Navy vessels launched Exocet missiles during the conflict, notably sinking HMS Sheffield.

– **Naval Guns**
Argentine warships were equipped with various calibers of naval guns, including 100mm and 127mm artillery pieces.

– **Torpedoes**
Argentine submarines and surface ships carried torpedoes for anti-ship warfare.

### Aircraft Weapons

– **A-4 Skyhawk**
The Argentine Air Force’s primary ground-attack aircraft, armed with bombs, rockets, and 20mm cannons.

– **Mirage III**
A supersonic interceptor and fighter aircraft equipped with air-to-air missiles and cannons.

– **Daggers (Mirage V variants)**
Used for ground attack and air defense, carrying bombs and missiles.

– **Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missiles**
Argentine aircraft employed AIM-9 Sidewinders, some acquired from the United States and Israel.

– **Bombs and Rockets**
Argentine aircraft used a variety of unguided bombs and rocket pods for attacking British ships and ground forces.

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## Summary of Key Weapon Systems

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## Conclusion

The Falklands War showcased a diverse range of weapons and military technology from both the United Kingdom and Argentina. British forces relied heavily on their naval and air power, supported by well-equipped infantry and artillery units. Argentine forces, while less technologically advanced in some areas, effectively used their missile systems and aircraft to challenge British naval supremacy. The conflict remains a significant case study in modern warfare, illustrating the importance of combined arms operations and the impact of missile technology in naval engagements.

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**Meta Description:**
This article provides a detailed list of the weapons used by British and Argentine forces during the 1982 Falklands War, covering small arms, artillery, naval weapons, and aircraft armaments.