Which country launched an invasion on the Falklands in 1982, leading to the UK mobilizing its naval forces in defence?

The Falkland Islands, located in the South Atlantic, have been a point of contention between the UK and Argentina for centuries. The islands have been under British control since 1833, but Argentina has long claimed sovereignty, referring to them as the Islas Malvinas. In 1982, this long-standing dispute escalated dramatically when Argentina launched a military invasion of the islands. This act of aggression prompted the UK, under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, to respond decisively. A British naval task force was dispatched to the South Atlantic, leading to a brief but intense war. The conflict lasted for 74 days and resulted in a British victory, reaffirming the UK's sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. While France, Spain, and Belgium have their own complex histories and colonial pasts, none were involved in the 1982 invasion of the Falklands.