MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Uncertain future for Falklands troopship
Press speculation that Brazil has shown interest in buying the ageing Royal Navy assault ship, HMS Fearless, has caused surprise.
FeBrazil would seem to face no situation requiring such a vessel. Press reports suggest the intention may be to sell the ship on to Argentina.
That would be an ironic move as the Fearless played a vital role in the 1982 Falklands Task Force, landing amphibious assault troops at San Carlos.
It also raises the question: What would Argentina want such a vessel for?
The depressed economies of both these South American countries would hardly merit such a purchase. The 37 year old vessel would require costly maintenance to keep her in service. That is one reason she has been withdrawn from Royal Navy service after a recent assignment in the Arabian Gulf.
It would also be controversial for the United Kingdom, which has faced recent criticism over other controversial arms sales abroad, especially to India which is in dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir.
Fearless has been involved in many high profile assignments in her long and distinguished career, from the Falklands War to hosting diplomatic negotiations over the future of Rhodesia in 1968.
Her new replacement, HMS Albion, is due to enter service next January.
Harold Briley, (MP) London
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