Did the United States Loan Great Britain Harrier Jets for the Falklands War?
The United States did not loan any Harrier jets to Great Britain for the Falklands War. During the 1982 conflict between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands, U.S. support included logistical and intelligence assistance, but the Harrier jets used by the British were already part of their existing fleet. The U.S. never provided any specific aircraft for the war.
These questions often reveal a deep-seated ignorance alongside an unwarranted arrogance that many American perspectives are superior. It is important to note that the Harrier jet was a British invention and build. The U.S. only began using the British-built Hawker Siddeley AV-8As in the 1970s, and even then, these aircraft were not a good fit for the British Royal Navy or Royal Air Force.
Why the U.S. Did Not Provide Harriers
During the Falklands War, the U.S. Marine Corps used the AV-8A and AV-8C variants of the Harrier jet. These were modified to withstand the harsh conditions of carrier operations and had different avionics, radios, navigation, and armaments than the RAF's GR.1 and GR.3 versions. Moreover, by 1982, the U.S. had already retired the AV-8As, replacing them with the improved McDonnell Douglas/BAE-built AV-8B Harrier II.
The American AV-8A and AV-8C Harriers
U.S. Marine Corps AV-8As first entered service in 1971 and by 1977, approximately 100 were in service at Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and Yuma. Many were later upgraded to the AV-8C standard but were retired in the late 1980s. These aircraft were built and modified to operate from ships, especially to withstand the corrosive effects of saltwater exposure and to provide better rigidity against wear and tear.
The U.S. Marine Corps also experimented with ship-based operations, with early deployments of the AV-8As on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1976/77 as part of the "Sea Control Ship" concept. In 1981, 20 AV-8As were embarked on the USS NASSAU (LHA-4) and deployed to the Mediterranean to fill a carrier gap during heightened tensions in Lebanon. However, such early STOVL/VSTOL aircraft were limited compared to modern CATOBAR carrier air wings.
Sea Harriers: A More Suitable Option
During the Falklands War, the Royal Navy Sea Harriers (FRS.1) were deployed aboard HMS Invincible in 1981. These were the first Harrier variant designed with both air-to-air and air-to-surface radar, significantly enhancing their capabilities for fleet defense. The U.S. AV-8As and Cs did not have this radar and were therefore less suited to the role that the RN Sea Harriers played during the war.
Thus, the U.S. did not need to provide Harriers to the British for the Falklands War. Instead, the British relied on their own aircraft, which were more suited to the operational requirements of the conflict.