Not plain sailing

Your table on the naval force deployed to the Falklands (your report, 30 January) in 1982 has a serious error in that it does not show the total forces available to the Royal Navy in 1982, unlike the 2012 figures.

In 1982, we had more than double the number of frigates and destroyers available today, and, as General Sir Michael Jackson makes clear, the Fleet Air Arm had the Sea Harrier fighter, the numbers of which were topped up by RAF Harrier ground-attack aircraft.

Equally pertinent, the forces available to the Argentine today are considerably stronger than in 1982 as it is probable that Brazil would collaborate as that country now formally recognises the Argentine as an ally.

Brazil has an aircraft carrier, the Sao Paulo, with Skyhawk strike aircraft and has allowed the Argentine Navy to continue deck landing training with its Etendard fighters using the ship.

David Wragg

Stoneyflatts

South Queensferry