Missile defence too costly for Canada

[Thanato 3,654]

Missile defence too costly for Canada, says U.S. expert

A military adviser to three U.S. presidents says the cost of the missile defence plan is climbing and Canada should not get involved.

Philip Coyle, who was an adviser to presidents Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton, says cost and reliability are two reasons to stay out.

Coyle says the U.S. has spent $100 billion US on missile defence since Ronald Reagan introduced the "Star Wars" program.

The U.S. is now spending $10 billion a year to develop a space-based "shield" that can theoretically shoot down nuclear missiles before they land.

Coyle says it's a lot of money for a questionable system that some critics say could reinvigorate the old arms race between the nuclear powers.

"The [missile defence] hardware that's being deployed now in Alaska and California has not demonstrated capability to actually defend the U.S., let alone Canada," Coyle said in an interview for CBC Radio's The House.

Some of the tests have had some snags, but others have been successful, says Maj.-Gen. Rich Rowe, who is in charge of missile defence for U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs.

Rowe says five out of the nine tests so far have been successful. He says if the system were needed today, it would work, adding that it's hard to put an economic value on the possibility that a rogue missile could be stopped.

Rowe says he appreciates Canadian participation in the North American Aerospace Defence Command, which observes and warns of potential incoming threats. He says he'd like even more co-operation and a bigger team working on missile defence.

When the Liberals were in power in Ottawa, they decided Canada should not participate. But during this year's election campaign, the Conservatives, who went on to form a minority government, promised to take another look at the idea.

Source

*****

I hope Canada dosnt get involved in this. The Russians can defeat it and there is no garenty that it will stop anything.

~Thanato

[billystevo 0]

Dont bother with missiles, keep the way you are and everbody will love you for not being a warmonger. Britain has been tainted by the Bush regime and we are targets now , hope you have more sense than us and steer clear.

[Thanato 3,654]

For the record britain has stopped warmongering just a few decades ago (if not sooner then that)

But hey, lets not get off topic about it

~Thanato

[billystevo 0]

Do you think Canada is pressurised into accepting American policies , beacause you are neighbours?Or do you think that you have control over your own Country without the Americans wanting you to change to their ideals?

[Thanato 3,654]

The Americans want to but we arnt letting them.

~Thanato

[TooFarGone 21]

^Exactly.

To be honest, I don't think we need this missle defence plan anyway. I mean, are we under that much of a threat?