Why our backyard?
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Why our backyard?
Letters: Cape Times
August 17, 2004
August 17, 2004
Why our backyard?
In a recent article on the Overberg Test Range in the American publication Aviation Week & Space Technology, it was reported that testing of Cruise missiles belonging to the German Air Force had recently taken place at the test range near Bredasdorp.
Furthermore, testing of similar missiles from the Italian Air Force will soon take place. These activities are part of a marketing drive by the Denel subsidiary OTB, to attract further overseas customers to the range.
The nature of a Cruise missile is such that it flies very low (30 metres) and very fast (700km/h), with the resultant deafening noise and devastating effect on bird life and mammals.
The nearby De Hoop Nature Reserve, incidentally, is closed to the public during this testing.
One therefore asks the question: "Why do European defence organisations come all the way down to the southern Cape to test their armaments?"
The answer surely is very simple: Europeans do not tolerate the this type of gross abuse of their environments.
One can almost understand the argument that armaments testing in an environmentally sensitive area is in the "national interest".
I fail to see the logic, however, in testing armaments for foreign governments and destroying our own environment and tourist industry in the process.
Gerry Cassidy
Onrus River
In a recent article on the Overberg Test Range in the American publication Aviation Week & Space Technology, it was reported that testing of Cruise missiles belonging to the German Air Force had recently taken place at the test range near Bredasdorp.
Furthermore, testing of similar missiles from the Italian Air Force will soon take place. These activities are part of a marketing drive by the Denel subsidiary OTB, to attract further overseas customers to the range.
The nature of a Cruise missile is such that it flies very low (30 metres) and very fast (700km/h), with the resultant deafening noise and devastating effect on bird life and mammals.
The nearby De Hoop Nature Reserve, incidentally, is closed to the public during this testing.
One therefore asks the question: "Why do European defence organisations come all the way down to the southern Cape to test their armaments?"
The answer surely is very simple: Europeans do not tolerate the this type of gross abuse of their environments.
One can almost understand the argument that armaments testing in an environmentally sensitive area is in the "national interest".
I fail to see the logic, however, in testing armaments for foreign governments and destroying our own environment and tourist industry in the process.
Gerry Cassidy
Onrus River
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"The answer surely is very simple: Europeans do not tolerate the this type of gross abuse of their environments. "
Maybe true but better yet is the fact that most of those countries no longer have space available.....................AND someone in SA will always put their hand out to trade Money for Permission.
Maybe true but better yet is the fact that most of those countries no longer have space available.....................AND someone in SA will always put their hand out to trade Money for Permission.
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Dont see what the problem is - we get a chance to see the Transall when they come down here and what a great aircraft that is
Does this mean the Italians are coming here as well??
Rumours have it the Luftwaffe will be here towards the end of the year again, together with Airbus's, Transalls, and a few fighters as well - looking forward to it - maybe even get to see their new Airbus tanker
Does this mean the Italians are coming here as well??
Rumours have it the Luftwaffe will be here towards the end of the year again, together with Airbus's, Transalls, and a few fighters as well - looking forward to it - maybe even get to see their new Airbus tanker
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Rumours have it the Luftwaffe will be here towards the end of the year again, together with Airbus's, Transalls, and a few fighters as well
