HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- Thursday, 20 December, 2001, 17:28 GMT
S Korea missile system
'useless'
The Nike system was developed by the US in the
1950s
A leaked secret review of South Korea's Nike anti-aircraft
missile system has found 90% of the weapons are almost useless.
The report came out of a series of tests held since a missile accidentally blew up over the western port of Inchon three years ago, injuring several people. The first test found only eight out of 100 Nike Hercules missiles managed to launch warheads. Subsequent tests have shown 70% failure rates.
Opposition politicians have called for defence officials to be punished for allowing the system, first installed in the 1960s, to deteriorate. The Yonhap news agency quoted Chang Kwang-keun of the main opposition Grand National Party as saying: "The government should take this opportunity to overhaul the military's weapons systems." New system Correspondents say South Korea sees its missile system as a key deterrent against possible air attack from North Korea.
The disclosures come as the military is seeking to replace the Nike system with Patriot missiles. Both the Nike and Patriot missile systems are made by the same US company, Raytheon. A $1.6bn deal for 48 Patriot missiles was due to be placed by the end of the year, but military officials say their decision has been delayed by disagreements over price and terms. The last US-based Nike Hercules system in Florida was decommissioned in 1979. See also: ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================ |
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