The Falklands War, beginning with the Argentine invasion of the islands on April 2, 1982, was a defining moment of the 1980s. It was also a defining moment for the British Aerospace Sea Harrier. The greatest threat to the British Tas k Force was the Argentine air force - which comprised A-4 Skyhawks, IAI Daggers, Mirage IIIs and particularly Super Etendards carrying Exocet anti-shipping missiles.