The city of Portsmouth was a central hub for Britain’s response to the Falklands conflict in 1982.

HMS Fearless served as one of two principal amphibious assault ships, deploying her four Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel and Helicopter deck to land Royal Marine Commandos at San Carlos Water. As the amphibious command centre, she housed Commodore Clapp’s headquarters and coordinated beach landings, logistic convoys, and special forces insertions. Despite constant Argentine air attacks, her Seacat missile system successfully defended the fleet. The ship’s critical troop deployment and command functions significantly enabled the British land campaign.

The city prepared key aircraft carriers that formed the Task Force sent to retake the islands.

HMS Bristol, the solitary Type 82 destroyer, was recommissioned from Portsmouth and sailed late in April 1982. Equipped with Sea Dart, Ikara, and advanced communications, she served as flagship of the rearguard Task Group. Though not in frontline combat, Bristol coordinated resupply, logistics, and fleet movements. Following the sinking of HMS Coventry, she assumed flagship duties, maintaining cohesion across support vessels. Bristol’s command-and-control capability was indispensable for sustaining naval operations through the campaign’s conclusion.

Amphibious assault ships carrying Royal Marines and landing craft also departed Portsmouth. Destroyers and frigates deployed from the city provided escort, air defence and naval gunfire support.

HMS Invincible, a light aircraft carrier, played a key role in the Falklands War as part of the Royal Navy’s carrier strike group. Embarked with Sea Harriers from 800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons, she provided continuous air defence, strike missions, and reconnaissance. Operating alongside HMS Hermes, Invincible helped maintain air superiority over the islands. Her Sea Harriers downed several Argentine aircraft. Though under threat from submarines and missiles, she remained undamaged and vital to British control of the air throughout the conflict. Pictured: HMS Invincible returns to Portsmouth, carrying British troops home from the Falklands War,

NOW READ: Glorious pictures of Royal Navy ship HMS Bristol over the years, as she leaves Portsmouth for scrapyard

HMS Hermes, recommissioned from Portsmouth dockyard, became the Task Force flagship within three days of the invasion. Hosting Sea Harrier and Sea King squadrons, she launched air strikes, air defence patrols, and reconnaissance missions deep into Argentine territory. Positioned outside threat range, her Harriers maintained sustained air superiority. As the main carrier, Hermes enabled fleet protection, ground support, and maritime strikes — central to overall success in recapturing the islands.

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HMS Exeter, a Portsmouth‑commissioned Type 42 destroyer, deployed with improved Type 1022 radar. On May 30, she shot down two low-level A‑4 Skyhawks and is credited with potentially intercepting an Exocet missile. Exeter’s enhanced detection and Sea Dart capability provided robust air defence, compensating for the losses of earlier destroyers. Her performance underscored the value of advanced radar systems in countering sea-skimming missile and aircraft threats.

Several Portsmouth-based ships were lost during the campaign. Memorials to their crews remain in the city.

HMS Andromeda, a Leander-class frigate homeported at Portsmouth, sailed with the “Bristol Group” and entered the Total Exclusion Zone on May 25. Acting as close escort for carriers, she provided anti-air and anti-submarine defence. Andromeda remained undamaged, and after the conflict supported operations around South Georgia before returning home. Her protective presence helped ensure safe carrier operations throughout the campaign.

Portsmouth’s dockyard played a wider role fitting out vessels, loading stores and converting civilian ships for military use.

HMS Minerva, a Leander-class frigate from Portsmouth, joined the Task Force later and arrived May 26. Assigned escort duties, she performed air-warning and radar surveillance. On June 1, her radar spotted an Argentinian C‑130, directing Sea Harriers which ultimately downed the aircraft. Minerva completed her deployment unscathed and returned to Devonport, contributing to ongoing South Atlantic presence post-conflict.

The city’s contribution to Operation Corporate, at sea and ashore, was central to the UK’s ability to mount and sustain the campaign in the South Atlantic.

HMS Herald, a Portsmouth-based survey vessel, was deployed to the South Atlantic during the Falklands War. Though not a combatant, she undertook hydrographic surveys, charting waters for amphibious operations and safe navigation. Herald’s topographical mapping of seabed, channels, and landing zones was vital for amphibious landings and logistical routing, contributing to overall operational planning and mission safety.

Here are a selection of ships that served our country proud during the conflict with the Argentinian junta, from a range of different classes and capabilities.

HMS Glamorgan, a County-class destroyer homeported in Portsmouth, provided shore bombardment and air defence. Sailing south early, she delivered naval gunfire against Argentine targets. On June 12, she was hit by an Exocet missile fired from land, severely injuring crew and damaging her stern. The attack led to improved missile counter‑measures and marked Glamorgan as one of the few RN ships hit but surviving direct Exocet fire.

HMS Coventry, a Portsmouth‑based Type 42 destroyer, was deployed early alongside Sheffield and Glasgow to screen carriers. Using Sea Dart, she achieved three aerial kills. On May 25, she was overwhelmed by simultaneous air strikes and sank. Her loss, amid intense air assaults, highlighted the crucial yet vulnerable role of destroyers in fleet air defence.