P. M. No. 14/ 60
BLUE STREAK
Statement by the Pyime Minister the Rt. IHonn JiL., jMenzies
The United Kingdom Government have issued a
statement concerning the long range missile Blue StreWd
The statement was discussed with the Australian Government.
The Australian Government concurred in it. Text of the
statement is attached.
CANBERRA 14th April, 1960.
0
0
0
I 0 0
3LUE S3TREAK
The Government have been considering the future of the
project for developing the long range ballistic missile Blue
Streak and have been in touch with the Australian Government
about it in view of their interest in the Joint Project and the
operation of the Joomera range.
The technique of controlling ballistic missiles has
rapidly advanced. The vulnerability of missiles launched from
static sites and the practicability of launching missiles of
considerable range from'mobile platforms has now been established.
In the light of our military advice to this effect and of the
importance of reinforcing the effectiveness of the deterrent we
have concluded and the Australian Government have fully accepted
that we ought not to continue to develop as a military % Jeapon a
missile that can be launched only from a fixed site.
Today our strate-ic nuclear force is an effective and
significant contribution to the deterrent power of the free
world. The Government do not intend to give up this independent
contribution and therefore some other vehicle will in due course
be needed in place of Blue Streak to carry British manufactured
nuclear warheads. The need for this is not immediately urgent
since the effectiveness of the V--bomber force as the vehicle for
these warheads will remain unimpaired for several years to come,
nor is it possible at the moment to say with certainty which of
several possibilities or combinations of them would be technically
themost suitable. On present information there appears much
to be said for prolonging the effectiveness of the V-bombers by
buying supplies of the airborne ballistic missile Skybolt which
is being developed in the United States. H. Mv. Government understands
that the United States Govermient will be favourably disposed
to the purchase by the United Kingdom at the appropriate
time of supplies of this vehicle.
The Government will now consider with the firms and
other interests concerned as a. mat-ter of urgency whether the Blue
Streak programme could be adapted for the development of a
launcher for space satellites. A further statement will be made
to tGhe House as soon as possible.
This decision ofcourse does not mean that the ., rork at
ioomera will be ended. On the contrary there are many other
projects for which the range is needed. 11e thcer, fore expect
that for some years to come at least there will be a substantial
programme of work for that range.