February 4, 2012 - 17:36 AMT
Britain sends nuclear submarine to the Falkland Islands

The Royal Navy is sending a nuclear submarine to the Falkland Islands amid heightened tensions between Britain and Argentina over the disputed islands.

The Trafalgar class vessel, thought to be either HMS Tireless or HMS Turbulent, is believed to be being deployed to protect the islands from Argentine military action.

A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokeswoman said: "We do not comment on submarine deployments."

It is said the submarine will be in the islands' waters in time for April's 30th anniversary of the 1982 war.

The decision to deploy a submarine to the region comes after the Royal Navy confirmed it was sending one of its most advanced warships to patrol the area.

HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 air defense destroyer, is due to replace the older frigate currently on duty, HMS Montrose.

On Friday, Feb 3 Prince William arrived on the Falklands as he prepared to begin a tour of duty as an RAF search and rescue pilot.

The MoD said the posting was part of a "routine operational deployment", despite Argentina accusing the prince of arriving as a "conqueror".

Angry scenes broke out in Buenos Aires on Friday, where a group of masked protesters took to the streets and threw paint at a British bank in protest at the prince's deployment, The Huffington Post reported.