The United States has agreed to sell four UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters to Argentina for an estimated £103 million, in a move that comes weeks after Donald Trump suggested he might not aid Britain if Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands again. The timing has raised eyebrows given the UK's historically close defence relationship with Washington and the sensitivity of the Falklands issue, particularly as Argentine President Javier Milei has been vocal about reasserting his country's claim to the islands.

The US State Department confirmed the possible foreign military sale on Thursday, saying it would support American foreign policy and security goals by bolstering a "major non-Nato ally" in South America for tasks such as border security and disaster response. Trump had earlier told GB News that Britain "wasn't there to help" the US over Iran and questioned whether he would come to the UK's aid again, despite America's traditionally neutral stance on the Falklands dispute. The helicopters, though long-serving and capable of carrying around 11 troops, are lightly armed and would be vulnerable to RAF Typhoons defending the islands; Milei has separately imposed sanctions on firms drilling in the nearby Sea Lion oilfield and pledged a new military base in Tierra del Fuego, while Prime Minister Andy Burnham has vowed to remain "relentless" in defending the Falklands.