THE GOVERNMENT has today given the go-ahead for the Olympic missile sites at Blackheath and Oxleas Meadow.
The rockets, which have a range of up to five miles, will be stationed at six points across London to defend against an attack on the Games.
The surface-to-air missiles were unveiled at Blackheath Common and Oxleas Meadow in May during a test run.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: "Whilst there is no reported threat to the London Olympics, the public expects that we put in place a range of measures aimed at ensuring the safety and security of this once-in-a-generation event.
“Ground-based air defence [GBAD] systems will form just one part of a comprehensive, multi-layered air security plan which, I believe, will provide both reassurance and a powerful deterrent.”
He went on to say they had widely engaged with affected communities who were “broadly speaking” supportive of their work.
He added: "A small number of activists object to the deployment of these defensive measures and a legal challenge to the Government's decision to deploy GBAD has been initiated. The MOD will defend these proceedings vigorously and is confident of defeating them."
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