Prince William reportedly deploys to Falkland Islands as tensions increase

(CBS/AP) Prince William will start his six-week military mission in the Falklands earlier than expected, according to several published reports.

Britain's Ministry of Defense hasn't confirmed his departure, but according to the Daily Telegraph, the Duke of Cambridge, 29, is expected to fly to the Falkland Islands on Wednesday.

Pictures: Prince William and Kate

William, who is second in line to the British throne, is a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot. British reports say that during his stint, he'll be on call 24 hours a day for missions flying out of a British military base.

But the prince's visit to the Falklands continues to cause a stir as tensions increase between Britain and Argentina over sovereignty.

Argentina said it doesn't seek another war over the Falkland Islands, and accused Britain of militarizing their sovereignty dispute by announcing Tuesday that it is sending an advanced warship to the islands along with Prince William "in the uniform of a conquistador."

The assignment of William for a six-week military mission in the Falklands in February and March has been a sore point for Argentina. It has sought to reclaim the South Atlantic archipelago that it calls the Malvinas Islands ever since Britain seized the islands some 180 years ago. Both countries have engaged in a war of words in recent weeks ahead of the 30th anniversary of Argentina's failed attempt to take the islands back.

Argentines are saddened that Prince William "will arrive on our soil in the uniform of a conquistador, and not with the wisdom of a statesman who works for peace and dialogue between nations," the country's foreign ministry said.