The Ministry of Defence says it is a "pre-planned and routine" six-month deployment in the South Atlantic.
However, it comes days after the 30th anniversary of the start of the war.
The move had earlier prompted an official complaint by Argentina to the United Nations about the UK's "militarisation" in the South Atlantic.
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Analysis
image of Jonathan Beale Jonathan Beale Defence correspondent, BBC News
Sending the Navy's most powerful warship to the South Atlantic may seem like a strange way to ease rising tensions with Argentina.
Stranger still is the decision that it should go almost 30 years to the day that a British task force left to liberate the Falkland Islands.
OK, it's one day shy of that anniversary. It's also just one ship. In 1982 the nation watched a much larger task force depart.
But HMS Dauntless is still the most advanced warship of its kind. In theory it could wipe out the entire, ageing Argentinian air force.
Argentina has already accused Britain of behaving like a colonial power, by sending warships and royalty to the islands.
Though the MoD insists the timing is just "coincidence", Argentina will view it as calculated. But it is probably more cock-up than conspiracy. The plans have been in the pipeline for some time. The Royal Navy always has a warship in the South Atlantic on a six-month rotation.
Just as interesting as her deployment will be the reception she receives.
Navy warships are often used for "defence diplomacy". In an ideal world, Dauntless would make port visits - but Argentina will do its utmost to make sure that does not happen.
For the sailors aboard it may be a lonely few months.
HMS Dauntless, a Type 45 Destroyer, will sail from Portsmouth to relieve HMS Montrose.
It will carry out operations off West Africa and the wider South Atlantic, with planned port visits in both West and South Africa.
BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said it was unlikely that there would be any visits to Argentina's ports.
The Royal Navy said it was the first operational deployment for HMS Dauntless since it was commissioned in 2010.
Commanding Officer Captain Will Warrender said: "HMS Dauntless' ship's company has been working extremely hard over the last year or so to prepare for our first operational deployment.
"We are now ready to provide a reassuring presence in the region and protect British interests."
A total of 255 British servicemen and about 650 Argentines died after the UK sent a task force following the Argentine invasion on 2 April 1982.
Britain has controlled the Falklands since 1833 but Argentina claims the territory - which it calls the Malvinas - saying it inherited rights to them from Spain.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who marked the anniversary in Britain, said he remained committed to upholding British sovereignty over the islands.
However, at a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary in Argentina, President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner attacked the UK government's stance on the Falkland Islands, saying: "Every day that goes by it looks more ridiculous, more absurd to the eyes of the world."
She went on: "It is an injustice that in the 21st Century there are still colonial enclaves... 16 colonial enclaves throughout the world - 10 of those belonging to the United Kingdom."
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