The Government is expecting a 100 per cent yes vote when the islanders are asked on March 11: Do you wish the Falkland Islands to retain their current political status as an Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom?

Intelligence chiefs have warned David Cameron that a resounding yes vote could lead to an aggressive stunt by the Argentine government, such as the planting of the countrys flag on the island by a small raiding party.

Other possibilities include a cod war style harassment campaign by the Argentine navy of the Falklands fishing fleet and the disruption of British oil and gas exploration.

Such a move, officers have warned, could quite quickly escalate into aggressive action if the Royal Navy was ordered to intervene.

Senior sources emphasised that in drawing up the contingency plans they were acting out of prudence so that nothing would take them by surprise.

A senior defence source told The Telegraph: Britain needs to be in a situation to respond very quickly to a whole series of threats that is why we have contingency plans. Our posture has not changed but neither are we complacent.

There are a number of contingencies to deal with any threat to the Falklands and they are currently being reviewed. No orders have been given to any military unit at this stage but prudent planning within all units who could be deployed in the event of a crisis is taking place.

That is quite normal. Commanders like to be two steps ahead rather than two steps behind.

With more than 8,000 soldiers from five infantry battalions, including the 2nd and 3rd battalions of The Parachute Regiment, which both fought in the first Falklands conflict in 1982, 16 Air Assault Brigade is trained and equipped for short notice rapid deployment operations.

While no official warning order has been issued, it is understood that the brigades staff already have contingencies prepared for deploying elements of the force such as a 150-strong company group to be flown to the Falklands via Ascension Island, in a matter of hours if needed.

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Defence chiefs prepare new plans to defend Falkland Islands