Does anyone else notice that almost all the "What If" scenarios about the Falklands are desperately searching for a better performance by the Argies?
I say let's give the post-invasion Brits a better performance for once. Install CIWS on the warships earlier that OTL, get the HAS2(AEW) into service with the first CBG, not the second, etc. With the carriers, escorts and transports effectively protected from Exocets and with the Sea Harriers controlled from AEW, thus reducing fuel and fatigue on unnecessary CAP, how quickly could the RN roll this thing up?
Maybe Britain takes the gloves off earlier, and you don't even need the improvements (perhaps the Argentines attack HMS Ariadne in Gibraltar on May 2nd, the earlier in the same day before, or perhaps attack a British minesweeper in Gibraltar some days earlier, both of which were considered).
The Argentine recon 707 gets shot down earlier (and hopefully not a Brazilian airliner) near Ascension.
Conqueror sinks Belgrano and both escorting destroyers (which were spared so they could rescue casualties). Splendid sinks the carrier, and most/all of the A4Qs and S-2s go down with her, or crash into the sea with nowhere to land.
Stronger pressure is put on the French, including revealing the intelligence that the Dassault technicians are still there - as without them the Argentines can't mate the Super Etendards with Exocets.
Surely some arm-twisting can also be done to the Israelis, so stop their technical help.
The Argentine airforce and FAA is blinded, without its most effective offensive weapons, and even poorer servicibility.
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