Falkland Islands Defence Force

Falkland Islands Defence Force {{{native_name}}} Badge of the Falkland Islands Defence Force. Active 1892–1920 (as the Falkland Islands Volunteer Corps) 1920-1982 1983–present Disbanded Country Falkland Islands Kingdom of England formally United Kingdom formally Allegiance Branch Branches Falkland Army Falkland Air Corps Falkland Coast Guard Service branches Type Role Size 1 Company, 11 ships, 5 aircraft Part of Garrison/HQ Port Stanley Nickname Patron Motto Faithful In Defence Colors March Fleet Mascot Anniversaries 13 December, 22 September Equipment Equipment of the Falkland Islands Defence Force Battles/wars Decorations Battle honours Flying hours Roblox group Ranks Ranks of the Falkland Islands Defence Force Commanders Current Commander {{{commander1_label}}} {{{commander2_label}}} {{{commander3_label}}} {{{commander4_label}}} {{{commander5_label}}} {{{commander6_label}}} {{{commander7_label}}} {{{commander8_label}}} {{{commander9_label}}} {{{commander10_label}}} Notable commanders Insignia {{{identification_symbol_1_label}}} {{{identification_symbol_2_label}}} {{{identification_symbol_3_label}}} {{{identification_symbol_4_label}}} {{{identification_symbol_5_label}}} {{{identification_symbol_6_label}}} Aircraft Attack Bomber Electronic Fighter Helicopter Attack helicopter Cargo helicopter Multirole helicopter Observation helicopter Trainer helicopter Utility helicopter Interceptor Patrol Recon Trainer Transport Tanker Utility

The The Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) is the locally maintained volunteer defence unit in the Falkland Islands. The FIDF works alongside parts of the English Armed Forces, especially the English Navy and English Airforce to ensure the security of the islands.

History

From 1983 to 2024 the Falkland Islands were part of the British Armed Forces, however due to the Great split of the United Kingdom the Falkland Islands Defence Force moved to the English Armed Forces, then after the Falklander vote which precured independence for the Falklands, the Falkland Islands Defence Force became the military of the Republic of the Falkland Islands.

Personnel

The Falkland Islands Defence Force meet once a week for training/operations. Soldiers usually conduct training patrols with soldiers from the English garrison on the islands as well as acting as "enemy" forces against English soldiers in training exercises.

FIDF soldiers provide search and rescue and mountain rescue services across the islands and can deploy aboard the patrol vessels in the coast guard for sovereignty protection duties if the vessel requires an armed presence. As of 2024 the Falkland Islands maintains a fleet of 11 ships of which 7 are the Damen Stan Patrol 5009, 2 are Attack-class patrol boat classes and 2 are River-classes. In addition to that, the Air Corps makes use of 1 Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma, 2 AW109, 2 AW159 Wildcat and 1 C-27J Spartan of which only the Wildcats are armed with L7A2 light machine guns.

Equipment

Equipment includes:

• L85A2
• Steyr M9
• Steyr AUG
• L86
• L129A1
• Browning Hi-Power pistol
• L7 general purpose machine gun
• Manroy M2HB .50 inch machine gun
• Armed Land Rovers
• Quad Bikes
• 23 Ferret armoured car
• 7 Jackal
• 7 Jackal
• 2 Chieftan tank
• 4 M60 Patton

Funding

The Falkland Islands Defence Force today is funded entirely by the Falkland Islands government. The majority of the funding goes towards the army and air corps, with the coast guard being a reservist branch and having less personnel.

Organisation

The Falkland Islands Defence Force is organised into three branches, the Falkland Army, Falkland Air Corps and Falkland Coast Guard, the army is restricted to company-strength with 4 platoons. The air corps and coast guards are predominately used for search and rescue however are organised into wings and flotilla. The coast guard has four flotillas scattered across the islands and the air corps has 3 wings.

Installations

The Falkland Islands Defence Force is home to a few installations, the headquarters is at Port Stanley, which also houses a naval flotilla and air wing.

• Falklands Defence Force HQ, Stanley
• FAC Mount Pleasant
• Mare Harbour
• RRH Mount Alice
• RRH Byron Heights
• RRH Mount Kent