A defenseless country between a rock and a hard place.

The Argentine dilemma of equipping itself militarily with the West, having the United Kingdom as a historical colonialist enemy, is a complex issue that has been present in the recent history of Argentina, in particular due to the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas Islands.

The Falklands War in 1982 marked a turning point in relations between Argentina and the United Kingdom, as both countries engaged in an armed conflict for control of the islands in the South Atlantic. Argentina's defeat in the war left a deep mark on the national consciousness and generated an internal debate about the need to strengthen the country's military capabilities.

Since then, Argentina has sought to modernize and strengthen its armed forces, partly in response to perceived external threats, especially in relation to the British military presence in the Falkland Islands and its invasive past. This modernization process has included the acquisition of new military equipment, improving the training of the armed forces, and seeking strategic alliances with other Western countries.However, the dilemma lies in the delicate balance that Argentina must maintain between strengthening its military capabilities to protect its national interests and avoiding an escalation of tensions with the United Kingdom that could lead to a new armed conflict. On the one hand, the country needs to be prepared to defend and recover its sovereignty and territory, but on the other hand, correct policy also says that it should seek diplomatic and peaceful ways to resolve differences with the United Kingdom.

In this context, Argentina's relationship with other Western countries, particularly with the United States and some European countries, takes on special relevance, since it can provide support in terms of military cooperation, intelligence sharing and training of armed forces. At the same time, Argentina has also sought to strengthen its participation in regional organizations such as UNASUR and CELAC, as part of a broader strategy to defend its interests in the international arena. Likewise, it is worth noting that many of the countries that called themselves "friends" of Argentina ended up blatantly betraying in the 1982 war to please the interests of the Anglo-Saxon world with carnal relationships that give us distrust when dealing with this very complex issue.

One option is instead of focusing on military strengthening as the only option, Argentina could prioritize diplomatic channels and seek to resolve its disputes with the United Kingdom through dialogue and negotiation. The search for bilateral agreements or mediation by third countries could be effective strategies to avoid armed conflicts, to date without positive effects for Argentina.Argentina could strengthen its military cooperation with other countries in the region, such as Brazil, Chile and other Mercosur members, to promote security and stability in South America. Regional defense collaboration could help deter possible external threats and strengthen collective defense.In turn, it could increase its participation in international organizations such as the UN, the OAS and UNASUR to promote peace and security at the global and regional level. These platforms can be used to advocate for the peaceful resolution of conflicts and promote disarmament and weapons non-proliferation.

Likewise, instead of focusing on aggressive weaponization, Argentina could choose to modernize and professionalize its armed forces, investing in technology, training and logistics to increase their efficiency and ability to respond to possible threats. This option would not resolve in any of its forms the ultimate recovery of the sovereignty of the Malvinas..

It could also diversify its defense capabilities by investing in areas such as cybersecurity, strategic intelligence, civil protection and humanitarian aid, which are essential in an increasingly complex and diversified global landscape.Ultimately, the dilemma of equipping itself militarily in this context poses significant challenges for Argentina, but it also opens space to explore creative and constructive alternatives that promote security and stability in the region without resorting to direct confrontations. The adoption of a comprehensive and balanced strategy that combines diplomatic elements, regional cooperation and modernization of the armed forces could be key to guaranteeing the defense of Argentine interests in a changing and challenging geopolitical context.

Arm yourself militarily

If Argentina decides to strengthen its military capabilities, there are several options the country could consider to arm itself effectively. Below are key points to achieve the objective:

1. Modernization of military equipment: Argentina could invest in the modernization of its military arsenal, acquiring new weapons systems, land vehicles, aircraft and warships. Updating its equipment would increase the operational capacity and efficiency of its armed forces.
2. Training and training: Improving the training and training of the armed forces is essential to ensure their readiness and effectiveness in conflict situations. Argentina could invest in continuous training programs, joint military exercises and collaboration with armed forces of other countries.
3. Development of military technology: Encouraging the development of its own military technology, including nuclear technology, could allow Argentina to reduce its dependence on imported weapons and strengthen its defense industry. Investing in research and development of advanced military technology could provide the country with a strategic advantage.
4. Search for alliances and military cooperation agreements: Argentina could seek alliances and military cooperation agreements with other countries, especially with Western powers, to access technology, intelligence and advanced military capabilities. These alliances can contribute to strengthening the country's defense and improving its interoperability with allied force.
5. Significant increase in the defense budget: Increasing the budget for defense would allow Argentina to make significant investments in the modernization and strengthening of its armed forces. Increased funding could go toward the acquisition of equipment, military infrastructure and training programs.
6. Reinforcement of cyber defense: Given the growing importance of cybersecurity in the military field, Argentina could focus on strengthening its capabilities in this area, investing in cyber defense technologies and experts to protect its military systems from possible cyber attacks.

It is important to highlight that any decision related to the military strengthening of a country must be carefully evaluated, considering factors such as national defense needs, the geopolitical context, the capabilities of the armed forces and the availability of resources.

But, furthermore, for any power inimical to the empowerment of developing countries, it is essential to ensure that any measure taken is in line with the international legal framework and respects the principles of regional peace and security as an excuse to keep these countries under its yoke.

Weapons suppliers in the West?

1. United States: As one of the world's leading weapons suppliers, it offers a wide range of advanced military equipment, including fighter aircraft, missile systems, armored vehicles and warships. Argentina has acquired military equipment from the United States in the past and could explore new cooperation options in this regard. In this context, with the carnal relations he has with the invading United Kingdom, in my opinion, he would not be a reliable supplier.
2. France is another major arms supplier to the West, with a highly developed defense industry that offers advanced military technology in various areas. Argentina has maintained trade relations in the field of defense with France and could consider the possibility of acquiring French military equipment.
3. Germany is known for its high-quality defense industry and for offering sophisticated military equipment in areas such as aviation, naval technology and air defense systems. Argentina could explore the possibility of establishing defense cooperation agreements with Germany.
4. Italy is another European country that has a significant defense industry and offers a variety of military equipment, including fighter aircraft, land and naval weapons systems. Argentina has collaborated with Italy on defense projects in the past and could consider it as a potential arms supplier.
5. Spain also has an established defense industry and offers a wide range of military equipment, such as frigates, armored vehicles and transport aircraft. Argentina has maintained commercial relations in the field of defense with Spain and could explore cooperation options in this regard.

It is important to keep in mind that the choice of an arms supplier should be based on criteria such as the quality of the equipment, interoperability with the Argentine armed forces, cost, after-sales service and the reputation of the manufacturer. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure that any weapons acquisition complies with international regulations and human rights standards.

But we have to see if all these countries have the guts to stand up to the United Kingdom's veto. I do not think so. They are all the same. Colonial invaders. So, what alternatives do we have? I leave it to your discretion, far from pro-Western fanaticism, that many times this fanaticism of our own citizenship of wanting to be goes against our own interests and even our own security, and obviously, as was demonstrated, our own sovereignty.

Will the West be the solution to this issue?

By: Pablo Gabriel Miraglia