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The combat debut for the Exocet missile was in the [[Falklands War]]. At the outbreak of hostilities, the Argentine navy had five air-launched Exocets, all of which were fired at British ships. Two missiles hit their targets, the destroyer HMS ''Sheffield'' and the supply ship ''Atlantic Conveyer'', sinking both ships. The Exocet threat forced the British task force to operate further away from the [[Falkland Islands]] than it had before, reducing its combat efficiency.<ref>''Air War in the Falklands 1982'', by Christopher Chant, Osprey Combat Aircraft series, 2001</ref>
The combat debut for the Exocet missile was in the [[Falklands War]]. At the outbreak of hostilities, the Argentine navy had five air-launched Exocets, all of which were fired at British ships. Two missiles hit their targets, the destroyer HMS ''Sheffield'' and the supply ship ''Atlantic Conveyer'', sinking both ships. The Exocet threat forced the British task force to operate further away from the [[Falkland Islands]] than it had before, reducing its combat efficiency.<ref>''Air War in the Falklands 1982'', by Christopher Chant, Osprey Combat Aircraft series, 2001</ref>
The Exocet also saw use by [[Iraq]] in the [[Iran-Iraq War]], and many tankers were sunk and damaged by the missile.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_209.shtml Tanker War 1980-1988]</ref> In 1987, two Exocets, mistakenly launched from an Iraqi Mirage, hit the American [[frigate]] USS ''Stark'' on duty in the [[Persian Gulf]], killing 37 sailors, but not sinking the ship.<ref>''Historical Atlas of the U.S. Navy'', by Craig L. Symonds, 1995</ref>
The Exocet also saw use by [[Iraq]] in the [[Iran-Iraq War]], and many tankers were sunk and damaged by the missile.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_209.shtml Tanker War 1980-1988]</ref> In 1987, two Exocets, mistakenly launched from an Iraqi [[Dassault Mirage F1|Mirage]], hit the American [[frigate]] USS ''Stark'' on duty in the [[Persian Gulf]], killing 37 sailors, but not sinking the ship.<ref>''Historical Atlas of the U.S. Navy'', by Craig L. Symonds, 1995</ref>
==References==
==References==