Operações anfíbias e defesa de litoral insular: similaridades e singularidades das operações Rosário e Corporate na guerra das Malvinas

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation is to compare Operation Rosario, conducted by Argentina, and Operation Corporate, by the United Kingdom, both part of the Falklands War, as well as the defensive structures that preceded them, from the perspective of Brazil’s Amphibious Operations doctrine and the concept developed herein of Insular Coastal Defense. An analytical-comparative approach was adopted, breaking down the operations into the five phases prescribed for an Amphibious Operation. The results revealed several similarities and singularities between the operations. Comparing these with the theoretical framework showed that the similarities aligned with current Brazilian doctrine contributed to the success of the operations. As for the singularities, those that did not converge generally hindered execution and created vulnerabilities. However, it was found that some divergences produced positive results and enabled surprise. Thus, the study reinforces the value of current doctrine as a guide for the planning and execution of Amphibious Operations, while recognizing that it can be flexibly applied, either to adapt to the military problem at hand or to surprise the enemy. The conclusions allow the Brazilian Navy to refine its Amphibious Operations doctrine, particularly as applied to the recapture of its oceanic islands, and to contribute to the development of a doctrine aimed at defending them through the application of the Insular Coastal Defense concept.