via CAAI News Media
March 04, 2010
Cambodia claimed on Thursday that the first-ever testing of BM-21 rocket launchers was successful.
Speaking at a testing event in Kompong Chhnang province, about 100 kilometers north of Phnom Penh, Tea Banh, deputy prime minister and minister of national defense said the testing was " successful" and this success has proved Cambodia's full competence in defending the "country's territorial integrity and sovereignty."
He said all the 215 shells tested had hit the target and goal from 20 km to 40 km as planned.
The testing was conducted while border dispute with Thailand remains unsolved.
But Tea Banh said the testing of the rocket was not aimed at preparing a war with any country, but to get ready for any circumstance that Cambodia is met with foreign invasion.
Also, on Thursday, Hun Sen said Cambodia has had BM-21 since the 1980s and military exercise is normally practiced worldwide.
The test was first announced by Prime Minister Hun Sen on Feb. 24, who said that his country will conduct a military exercise by firing about 200 rounds of BM-21 to make sure his military operators are able to operate well and to also test the quality of these BM-21 rocket launchers after they have been kept for long in warehouse.
Fearing criticism from outsiders, Hun Sen said the test by firing these rocket launchers are not intended to show off military muscle, but to only check the capacity of the country's military affairs as a sovereign state.
He added that Cambodia is committed to positioning itself as peaceful neighbors and intend not to stage war with any country.
According to Hun Sen, prices of one BM-21 range at 1,200, 2,800 and 3,800 U.S. dollars.
Source: Xinhua
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