Posted on 12/21/2011 8:15:38 AM PST by dan_s
A British cargo vessel detained at Kotka harbour has been found to be carrying a shipment of American-made Patriot missiles. According to information received by YLE, the missile shipment originated in Germany and is destined for South Korea. Onboard the ship are 69 of the missiles with their explosive warheads and propelling charges.
The National Bureau of Investigation confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the missiles are on-board the ship.
Officials stopped the M/S Thor Liberty last week as its cargo of explosives had been stored incorrectly. The ship is carrying 160 tonnes of the explosive nitroguanidine. The material is in 25 kg packages. Because of the characteristics of nitroguanidine, the material should be carried in shipping containers.
In the course in inspection, it was aslo found that the cargo included a shipment of military missiles.
An investigation was launched and it was determined that while not contraband, the proper transit permits for the shipment are inadequate or missing.
The incident is now being handled by Finnish Customs as a possible violation of laws regulating the imports of military materials. Customs has requested the Defense Forces for assistance in impounding the missiles until their origin and destination can be confirmed.
Very interesting. But these shipments go both ways, as a friend of mine was camping in Az near a rail line when in the wee hours in the morning a train went by with flatcar after flat car of tanks painted green with red stars. Not Abrams either.
A ship embarking Germany, sailing through Finish waters (northeast) is entering the Artic Sea with only one possible destination - Russia!
The Finns probably seized the shipment at the request of the State Dept.
Against what air force? Bolivia? Yes. Myanmar? Yes. NATO? No. USAF? Hell no.
The missiles are completely frikkin useless without a LARGE Command and Control system that goes with them. They do not launch from a slingshot after wispering in their ears where the target is.
Shipped a new Ford Raptor to Chile and it stopped at probably 10 ports before getting to Valparaiso and then the ship went on to South Korea.
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