ABSTRACT
San Carlos had been chosen because it reduced the threat from submarines and airlaunched Exocets, but at the cost of being in range of land-based aircraft. The Navy was now caught in an operating environment far removed from the one for which they planned during the Cold War. They were geared to dealing with Soviet submarines operating in the high seas (a bias evident in the predominance of submariners among the British high command). Preparations for anti-aircraft warfare were far less satisfactory. Few vessels carried dedicated anti-aircraft guns, although in the confines of San Carlos they would have been more use than missiles. The long-range Sea Dart was geared to dealing with missile carrying aircraft, probably Soviet Bears and Badgers, coming over the open seas rather than actions close to the shore. The short-range Sea Wolf was still a relatively new system.
