Britain is now militarily incapable of defending the Falkland Islands, a leading Argentinian international relations expert has warned, declaring its power “practically nonexistent” and reigniting concerns over the UK’s ability to protect its overseas territories.

Carlos Perez Llana, former Argentine ambassador to France and a respected academic, delivered the stark verdict while analysing Europe’s faltering role in the escalating Middle East crisis involving the United States, Israel and Iran. Speaking on the Argentinian current affairs programme Modo Fontevecchia, broadcast on Net TV and Radio Perfil, Mr Perez Llana said: “It’s plausible to think that today Great Britain couldn’t defend the Falkland Islands.”

Mr Perez Llana, who holds a doctorate in Political Science and International Relations from the National University of Rosario and has taught at Torcuato Di Tella University, added: “Today, militarily, Great Britain is practically nonexistent. Even though it’s a nuclear power, it’s not an independent nuclear power because its nuclear weapons depend on the United States.”

He contrasted Britain’s weakness with France’s strength amid the current global crises. He told viewers: “In Europe, from a defence standpoint, from a military standpoint, if we add the drama of Ukraine to the drama linked to the current situation, the only country capable of flexing its defence and geopolitical muscle is France.” France has deployed the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to Cyprus, while Britain has failed to send its fleet even to protect a British base on the island.

Mr Perez Llana expressed astonishment at London’s limitations closer to home. He said: “I’m struck by the British Navy’s inability to even deploy forces to Cyprus, which is much closer than our Falkland Islands. Was Britain’s military capacity in ’82 infinitely greater than it is now?”

The recent Iranian-made drone strike on RAF Akrotiri – launched from Lebanon by Hezbollah – has triggered fury across Cyprus. Hundreds of protesters have marched in Nicosia and Limassol chanting “British bases out” and “bases of death”, demanding the closure of UK military installations over fears the island is being dragged into the US-Israel-Iran war.

Mr Perez Llana answered his own question directly: “From a military point of view, couldn’t Great Britain defend the Falklands today as it did until 10 years ago? No, I don’t think so.” Acknowledging the sensitivity of his remarks, he continued: “I’m afraid someone might think I’m a warmonger, but when you consider the scenarios, it’s plausible to think that Great Britain couldn’t defend the Falklands today. That’s a realistic fact.”

The Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, lie at the heart of one of the world’s longest-running sovereignty disputes. Britain has administered the islands since 1833. Argentina, which calls them the Malvinas, has never relinquished its claim.

In April 1982, Argentine forces under the military junta invaded the remote archipelago, 8,000 miles from the UK. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher dispatched a naval task force that recaptured the islands after a 74-day war. The conflict claimed 255 British and 649 Argentine lives and remains seared into the national consciousness of both nations.

British sovereignty was reaffirmed in a 2013 referendum in which 99.8 per cent of islanders voted to remain under UK rule. Yet Argentina continues to press its case at the United Nations, and the issue still stirs strong emotions in Buenos Aires.

Mr Perez Llana’s intervention comes against a backdrop of growing anxiety in London about the UK’s defence posture. Years of budget constraints, the heavy demands of supporting Ukraine, and commitments in the Middle East have stretched the Armed Forces thin. Critics have repeatedly warned that the Royal Navy’s capacity for sustained long-range operations has eroded.

The diplomat, who served as Undersecretary of the Interior under President Raul Alfonsin and as Director for Latin America at Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underlined Britain’s nuclear dependence. He stressed: “The maintenance of British nuclear submarines depends on the United States, and the missiles on British nuclear submarines have a very large American component. Great Britain’s military power in the world today is very low.”

Mr Perez Llana noted that France alone among European nations retains genuinely independent nuclear forces and genuine strategic reach. Paris is reportedly planning to expand its nuclear arsenal amid doubts over future US reliability within NATO.

While dismissing the idea that Iran wants to “Europeanise” the Middle East conflict, the expert highlighted the strategic importance of global chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, where any disruption could send oil prices soaring.

His assessment has thrust the Falklands back into the spotlight and sharpened debate in Britain over whether current defence spending and capabilities are sufficient to safeguard distant territories in an increasingly volatile world.