A Golden Dome project has recently been proposed by President Donald Trump for the U.S., and he claims that Canada is interested to have it extended over our country as well.
It means this missile defense shield would be extended over the Interior of BC, too. Why?
This so-called “Golden Dome," inspired by Israel’s land-based Iron Dome defence shield, is an ambitious project aimed at blocking threats from China and Russia.
They have the technology to strike us with a hypersonic missile that travels five times faster than the speed of sound, otherwise known as Mach 5 (3,636 miles per hour).
Such a missile is shot through our atmospheric layers into space where it can travel tremendously fast because there is no atmospheric wind and friction/resistance.
The missile then can come down to earth with a super-hypersonic speed and hit a predetermined spot.
An international ballistic missile (ICBM), is a ballistic missile as well, travelling so fast that it is impossible to be intercepted.
Having this project extended to Canada also to the interior of BC, does not make sense at all.
Yes, we in Prince George are exposed to hypersonic missiles as any other place on the earth, if either Russia or China for instance intend to strike us. But why would they?
There is usually not a lot of time between launch and impact to intercept a hypersonic missile, begging the question: Why should we in the BC Interior worry?
Billions of dollars would have to be spent to erect and maintain a “defence system” that cannot guarantee a defence!
We should avoid relying on the U.S. for implementation and clearly express to the decision makers in the U.S. that we are not interested. Period!
A recent global survey on safety in general, as well as “feeling safe," has shown that Iceland, Ireland and Western Canada are considered the most secure countries (areas) on this globe, and are of no military strategic value!
Wonderful to live here and enjoy the best place on earth.
Why should our government contribute billions of dollars, considering that we are already over our ears in debt?
Albert Koehler, P.Eng., is a former city councillor
