SURFACE-TO-AIR missiles arrived in Blackheath yesterday in a bid to defend London against a "worst-case scenario" 9/11-style attack.

The military chose Blackheath as one of six "favourite" sites including Oxleas Meadow.

The Blackheath and Oxleas Rapier missiles have a range of up to five miles and can travel more than twice the speed of sound.

Armed Forces spokesmen stressed there are no specific threats to the Games and that the preparations are precautionary for the "very unlikely" event of an attack.

Army commander of joint ground based air defences Colonel Jon Campbell said: "There is no indication of an enhanced threat at this time.

"The principal role of air defence is to detect."

He added: "The Games are in a geographical bowl.

"We will have around 14 to 15 air observers with an unblinking ability to look at the skies."

"The principal ability of the Rapier system is world-class radar.

"It is to get the very best picture of what is happening in the skies of London."

He went on to say the decision to fire the missiles would be political and the first response would be escorting unknown aircraft out of the space.

RAF Air Vice-Marshall Stuart Atha said the missiles were for the "worst-case scenario" of a "very unlikely attack" on the Games.

He added that without the exercise, the ability to respond to an attack would be "zero".

Greenwich and Bexley Trades Council spokesman Dave Putson is concerned about the need for missiles and fears they could become a terrorist target.

He said: "This is just big boys and their toys. I think we are already safe.

"Doesn’t this become a terrorist target?"

But Col Jon Campbell assured residents the missiles are designed to deter terrorists, however he refused to comment on the impact to residents if they were fired.

Lewisham Council's ward member for Blackheath, Cllr Kevin Bonavia, says there has been a "mixed reaction" to the missiles among Blackheath residents and that most worry about the impact on their daily lives.

However Col Jon Campbell moved to reassure locals, saying: "Blackheath is one of our favourite sites.

"Our impact will be low. There will not be much traffic going in and out."

RAPIER MISSILES

Developed for the British Army and Royal Air Force they entered operation in 1971.

The original Rapier FSA was deployed during the Falklands War against low-flying aircraft.

Missile Range: Min. 500m - max. 8,000m (0.3 miles - 4.97 miles)

Missile Speed: Mach 2+ (more than twice the speed of sound, or just over 1520mph)

Missile Length: 2.35m Missile Diameter: 0.133m