Missile talks denied

Press, 1 September 1982, Page 6

Missile talks denied

NZPA London The Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon, said yesterday that he had not discussed the American Harpoon missile system when he visited the Lockheed research development centre in Los Angeles last week. “The subject was not mentioned to me at all." he said. “What I discussed with them, and was shown, was the latest systems for the detection and identification of submarines and surface vessels including experimental work which was being done. “But the question of weapons was not raised by either Lockheed or by myself." he said. He said that the Lockheed officials may have mentioned the Harpoon missiles to NewZealand journalists travelling

with him. "But it was not my purpose there and it simply was not mentioned." he said. Mr Muldoon was commenting on reports that the Harpoons, described as the , United States equivalent of the deadly French Exocets used in the Falklands, were being considered for the R.N.Z.A.F.’s Orions. “We w-ould not be looking at anything like that until our service people had put it to us and it simply has not been raised with the Government." he said. The Minister of Defence. Mr Thomson, has said that the detection system, including the Harpoons, was one of several being considered for the Orions. The Royal Australian Air Force had fitted Harpoon missiles to its Orions.