7th April 1982 - Maritime Exclusion Zone

7th April 1982; the British Goverment declares a Maritime Exclusion Zone (MET) Around the Falkland Island/ Islas Malvinas of 200 Nautical miles, to be effective from 12th April

Within this zone Great Britain declares that the nuclear powered submarines on station will be empowered to sink and Argentine naval or military vessel. The MET is intended to restrict the conflict to the islands and immediate maritime area as opposed to a full declaration of war whereby all Argenting military ships could be designated as targets regardless of their location

The other intention of course is ot clear the seas around the islands to allow passage of the Taskforce through the threat posed by the submarines, and to prevent Argentina from sending reinforcements by sea