A GATED apartment complex in east London will next week be able to boast not just landscaped gardens and sparkling fountains but also a battery of rooftop surface-to-air missiles.
The Bow Quarter complex is the first of a handful of housing developments close to the Olympic Park chosen by military planners to host high-velocity rockets aimed at preventing an airborne terrorist attack on this summer’s Games.
UK ministry of defence officials will this week inform a number of other residents within firing distance of the main stadiums that their homes have been selected to become part of London’s military lockdown.
The missile units will be installed and armed with dummy rockets in time for a national Olympic security exercise starting on Wednesday.
The test of the £1 billion security plans will run either side of the forthcoming bank holiday weekend and will involve RAF Typhoon fast jets and military helicopters operating above London and surrounding counties.
Ten soldiers will be on duty at all times to guard and operate the missiles if they are needed to bring down a fast-moving jet or helicopter attacking the Games. – (Guardian service)