'Falklands invasion guide' containing GPS coordinates of facilities published on MoD website

It failed to encrypt a secret document which was freely available from the homepage and would be priceless to an Argentine bomber planning a strike

Potentially deadly details of the RAF’s main base in the Falkland Islands may now be in Argentinian hands after an online security gaffe.

The Ministry of Defence failed to encrypt a secret document on its website that describes the exact make-up of runways, ­thickness of concrete and gives GPS coordinates of facilities.

The information was freely available from the homepage and would be priceless to an enemy bomber planning a strike.

It comes just 10 days after Defence Secretary Michael Fallon outlined the “very live threat” posed by the South American country and sent RAF helicopters to beef-up defences.

Buenos Aires is in talks with Russia to lease 12 Sukhoi Su-24 long-range bombers capable of attacking the Mount Pleasant base.

A senior military source said: “This is exactly the kind of intel foreign powers send spies to get.

“It’s practically an ­invasion handbook.”

Justin Bronk, of the Royal United Services military think-tank, said: “This document is extraordinarily detailed.

“From an intelligence point of view, one of the most interesting details it gives to any prospective enemy is the full operating procedures for how the runways on Mount Pleasant are used.

“That gives Argentina an interesting window into how best to use a limited number of strikes and where to target them to do the most potential damage to operations.

“The manual does not give information about ground or air defences which protect the base but nonetheless would be extremely helpful to Argentina in the event of a conventional air attack.”

Taking out the runway could cripple Britain’s ability to fight off invaders in the ongoing sovereignty dispute.

The Aerodrome Manual was intended for RAF pilots and security-screened civilian contractors.

Former Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: “At a time when we’re at pains to point out to Argentina that we are intent on defending the Falklands, we just cannot afford to have careless mistakes like this.”

The MoD denied sensitive information was included but the link has now been disabled.

Air Commodore Andrew Lambert, who served as a wing commander in the Falklands, said: “If there is information that can be of use for the Argentines to target their weapons more effectively, then password protecting it is not enough – it must be classified.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/falklands-invasion-guide-containing-gps-5465754

What a fuck up!

oooops

Yep, double ooooops!

Never mind, our aircraft carriers and F35's will be ready in about 2 or 3 years time to help and support the 4 Typhoon fighters that we have out there at the moment keeping the Argies at bay.

Meanwhile they can borrow the boat race crews!

seriously? a few heads need to roll....unbelievable