[ RadSafe ] Sunday Times reports :Radioactive rockets 'for sale' in breakaway Soviet republic

[Fred Dawson]

 Sunday Times reports :Radioactive rockets 'for sale' in breakaway Soviet republic

 

At least 38 Alazans were fitted with warheads containing up to 400g of caesium-137 and strontium-90, apparently to help scientists track the clouds are up for sale. 

The Alazan is a slender rocket 4ft 7in long with a range of eight miles and a radioactive "warhead".



It is considered by defence specialists to be an ideal weapon for terrorists. The rockets could spread radiation for more than 20 miles from their point of impact. Few people would die, they said, but the contamination would cause widespread fear and disruption. Large areas would have to be evacuated for a costly clean-up operation. 

"The psychological impact would be devastating and the economic damage would run into millions of pounds, " said Andy Oppenheimer, a consultant to Jane's Information Group. "The Alazan would be especially attractive for terrorists seeking to strike a high security target." 





Full story at



http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1602963,00.html



Fred Dawson
New Malden
Surrey. KT3 5BP
England