AMERICAN LAND FORCES IN EUROPE ARE TO RECEIVE THEIR FIRST PERSHING TACTICAL NUCLEAR MISSILES NEXT MONTH. THIS IS PART OF A LONG RANGE PROGRAMME OF MODERNISATION BEING CARRIED OUT BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE. OFFICIALS IN THE INTERESTS OF MODERNISATION AND WILL NOT LEAD TO A FURTHER WITHDRAWAL OF AMERICAN TROOPS BASED IN EUROPE.

THE PERSHING, WHICH IS A SOLID-FUEL MISSILE, WILL REPLACE THE NOW OBSOLETE REDSTONE MISSILES. THE NEW MISSILE IS DESCRIBED AS A "SHOOT AND SCOOT" WEAPON. IT IS A TWO-STAGE ROCKET WITH A RANGE OF UP TO ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED MILES. ITS GREAT MOBILITY MAKES IT SUPERIOR TO THE CUMBERSOME REDSTONE. THE PERSHING CAN BE CARRIED - WITH ITS LAUNCHING EQUIPMENT - BY LORRY, OR EVEN BY HELICOPTER.