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MoD confirms Olympic missile plans
03 July 2012
While there are said to be no specific threats against the games, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said that the public expected strong safety and security measures throughout the event.
"Ground-based air defence systems (GBADS) will form just one part of a comprehensive, multi-layered air security plan which, I believe, will provide both reassurance and a powerful deterrent," said Hammond.
The MoD has confirmed that the Lexington Building, in Bow and Fred Wigg Tower in Waltham Forest will host the Starstreak High Velocity Missile system, while the larger Rapier missiles will be based at Blackheath Common, William Girling Reservoir, Shooters Hill and Barn Hill.
Residents of the Fred Wigg Tower last week launched a legal challenge against the government's decision to site the missiles in a residential area, but Hammond said the government was confident of defeating the action.
"We have undertaken a wide programme of engagement with the communities affected, involving relevant local authorities, landowners, MPs, Council Leaders, and community meetings," he said. "These have shown that, while people understandably have questions and concerns which we have sought to answer, broadly speaking communities are supportive of our work.
"A small number of activists object to the deployment of these defensive measures and a legal challenge to the government's decision to deploy GBAD has been initiated. The MoD will defend these proceedings vigorously and is confident of defeating them."
HAVE YOUR SAY
03 July 2012
I completely agree with basing them in London. But one of the points of the protestors has stood out to me. Why are they needed? surely London is already one of the best defended cities in the world? especially after 9/11 surely we have missile batteries and anti-aircraft guns ready 24/7 throughout the city. what worries me is that these olympic preperations pretty much tell us that London is near completely undefended and reliant only on a local jet force. A fact that if made publically known in the press would certainly cause far more concern than the posistioning of Rapier and Starstreak for a few months
N Brown
03 July 2012
N Brown
Where are the barrage balloons and should we start evacuating the children to the countryside as well?
Rob - Telford
03 July 2012
Given the events of last August has any one considered that it's not the sky they will be aimed at.
Terry Hales - London
03 July 2012
Rob, its reasonable to expect that our capitol city, the creator of over a quarter of our economy and the centre of power for our nation should be reasonably well protected against air attack. certainly we should have the capability to deal with any threat that might target the olympics from the air sufficiently. surely you agree? theres no need to make and extreme and silly comment.
N. Brown
04 July 2012
Surely such protection is required year-round, given what happened on 9/11? Hostile attacks on our country continue, from cyber/intelligence attacks to loonies with homemade explosives - who says another air attack won't occur?
AlMiles - Bristol, UK
04 July 2012
"surely London is already one of the best defended cities in the world? especially after 9/11 surely we have missile batteries and anti-aircraft guns ready 24/7 throughout the city"
You must be joking! London has no anti air defences. The only AA guns are on RN escorts. The army has 16 and 12 Regiments Royal Artillery with Rapier FSC and Starstreak HVM either lightweight or Stormer mounted. Neither are anywhere near London! No idea if the TA's HVM regiments are still around.
The nearest QRA aircraft are usually at Coningsby, though if a specific threat is recieved they can be forward based at Boscombe, or Marham.
IF any terrorists took over an aircraft say over Kent there is little time to respond. Indeed, the MoD keeps its response times classified, and no wonder given that Typhoons from Coningsby may not arrive in time. Even then one needs to take into account dithering ministers, rules of engagement, etc, before NASOC at High Wycombe orders a shootdown.
We are in fact naked. These threats need to be stopped at source by intelligence operations.
The conventional ASCS air defence radar network and a mere 3 squadrons ( eventually 5 ) of Typhoon does not protect this country from that sort of threat.
So you are correct. London IS usually undefended. And the government know this.
I think Robs joke about Barrage Balloons was a little joke about your comment on AA guns in the city and thus his World War Two reference, and not intended to offend.
Daniele Mandelli - Guildford
04 July 2012
N. Brown
No offence intended and I apologise for my flippant remark, however there are not the resources (equipment / manpower/ finance)to provide the kind of defences you mention. There is no way the Army could provide 24 hour coverage of the capital.
rob - Telford
08 July 2012
"Following the on-site evaluation and my review, officials entered into discussions with the landowners to secure rights to use and access sites. In respect of the FWT [Fred Wigg Tower], confidential discussions with the chief executive (and through him the leader and leading councillors) of the London Borough of Waltham Forest led them to agreeing to grant a lease [of the FWT roof], on 19 April."
"A small number of activists object"
What a lot of bollix, no one asked the people who live here, the small group of activists is the usual spin crap, its a majority of people who live here. But the fact that the spinless weasel who is LBWF leader agreed to everything is no surprise, the mans a c***.
Steve Berwuck - London E11
09 July 2012
Steve Berwuck - London E11
So what is the issue, can you explain what the problems are for the people it would affect?
Rob - Telford