The British government has denied it is engaged in negotiations to lift a ban on selling arms to Argentina that has been in place since the Falklands war.

Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, told the Daily Telegraph his government had begun speaking to the UK about the restrictions.

Argentina briefly invaded the Falklands Islands, which are British territory, in 1982. The war lasted 10 weeks, costing 255 British lives and 649 Argentinian before the invaders surrendered.

Subsequently the policy of the British government has been that it will not allow weapons to be exported to Argentina if they are judged to “enhance Argentine military capability”.

“There are no world powers without military power,” Milei said, according to the Telegraph, adding: “There is no country that counts in the international context if they can’t defend their borders.”

Milei said he planned to visit the UK in April or May 2026 and suggested he wanted to see the Falklands given over to Argentina via diplomatic means.

But a British government spokesperson rebutted the Argentinian president’s claims about the arms exports and sovereignty over the Falklands.

“Sovereignty of the Falkland Islands is not up for negotiation and we will defend its right to self-determination.

“In 2013, the islanders held a referendum on their future, with an overwhelming majority choosing to remain part of the UK.

“There are no specific talks with Argentina about the UK relaxing its arms export controls.”

However, the spokesperson added: “More broadly, we look forward to deepening our co-operation with Argentina across areas including trade, science and culture to deliver growth for the British people.”

With PA Media