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The Ministry of Defence says it is 'maintaining' British force levels in and around the Falkland Islands amid Argentine efforts to control shipping in the region.
Oil companies are keen to exploit the waters off the Falklands
According to The Sun newspaper, a new naval task force comprising two ships and an oil supply tanker has been sent to the South Atlantic isles.
The report follows an Argentine government decree that tightens control over shipping in the region, which comes ahead of British efforts to start oil and gas exploration off the islands' waters.
But the MoD said the UK's existing 'deterrence' in the Falklands was not being increased and UK force levels were being maintained.
A spokesman said: "The Government is fully committed to the South Atlantic Overseas Territories which include the Falkland Islands.
"A deterrence force is maintained on the islands. That deterrence force comprises a wide range of land, air and maritime assets which collectively maintain our defence posture.
"We have a permanent presence in the South Atlantic including one frigate/destroyer, a patrol vessel, a survey ship and a replenishment vessel. We also have 1,076 service personnel on land."
Argentina's president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, issued a decree covering all ships that enter Argentine waters, which Buenos Aires regards those as covering the entire South Atlantic continental shelf.
The Foreign Office shrugged off the demand, insisting that the seas around the Falklands were controlled by island authorities and would not be affected by the decree.
As the issue escalated, Sir Nicholas Winterton, the chairman of the all-party Falklands group, said he would seek a meeting with senior officials at the Foreign Office when Parliament returned from recess next week.
He dismissed Ms Fernandez's decree as "pathetic and useless" as Argentina had no jurisdiction over the seas around the Falklands.
The Foreign Office said the Britain was ready to co-operate with Argentina on South Atlantic issues and was working to develop relations between the two countries.
"Argentina and the UK are important partners," said the Foreign Office spokesman.
Despite being ejected from the islands which they know as the Malvinas after a two-month occupation and war in 1982, Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the Falklands.
The dispute over the territory has flared up recently because of interest in possible oil reserves.
Several British companies are poised to begin exploration using an offshore rig, while Desire Petroleum has licensed six areas where it predicts 3.5 billion barrels of oil and nine trillion cubic feet of natural gas can be recovered.
Do you think this might kick off again?
Oil companies are keen to exploit the waters off the Falklands
According to The Sun newspaper, a new naval task force comprising two ships and an oil supply tanker has been sent to the South Atlantic isles.
The report follows an Argentine government decree that tightens control over shipping in the region, which comes ahead of British efforts to start oil and gas exploration off the islands' waters.
But the MoD said the UK's existing 'deterrence' in the Falklands was not being increased and UK force levels were being maintained.
A spokesman said: "The Government is fully committed to the South Atlantic Overseas Territories which include the Falkland Islands.
"A deterrence force is maintained on the islands. That deterrence force comprises a wide range of land, air and maritime assets which collectively maintain our defence posture.
"We have a permanent presence in the South Atlantic including one frigate/destroyer, a patrol vessel, a survey ship and a replenishment vessel. We also have 1,076 service personnel on land."
Argentina's president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, issued a decree covering all ships that enter Argentine waters, which Buenos Aires regards those as covering the entire South Atlantic continental shelf.
The Foreign Office shrugged off the demand, insisting that the seas around the Falklands were controlled by island authorities and would not be affected by the decree.
As the issue escalated, Sir Nicholas Winterton, the chairman of the all-party Falklands group, said he would seek a meeting with senior officials at the Foreign Office when Parliament returned from recess next week.
He dismissed Ms Fernandez's decree as "pathetic and useless" as Argentina had no jurisdiction over the seas around the Falklands.
The Foreign Office said the Britain was ready to co-operate with Argentina on South Atlantic issues and was working to develop relations between the two countries.
"Argentina and the UK are important partners," said the Foreign Office spokesman.
Despite being ejected from the islands which they know as the Malvinas after a two-month occupation and war in 1982, Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the Falklands.
The dispute over the territory has flared up recently because of interest in possible oil reserves.
Several British companies are poised to begin exploration using an offshore rig, while Desire Petroleum has licensed six areas where it predicts 3.5 billion barrels of oil and nine trillion cubic feet of natural gas can be recovered.
Do you think this might kick off again?
