The bright side of radar
2008-03-28
Czech officials often have eyes that are bigger than their
country's stomach. The classic case are the supersonic fighters
that can barely reach cruising speed before they've already
crossed the country's border. There's other military equipment
that is first bought for a high price and then practically given
away later, once it becomes clear that it isn't needed. There's
the high-speed Pendolino train that can't travel at high speed,
because the country's tracks won't support it. There's a hugely
expensive e-toll system from Kapsch that was obsolete upon
implementation. Now there are plans for a system of info boards
from Kapsch - them again - that will warn drivers about traffic
congestion and, at the price of Kč 3bn, will presumably also
serve them coffee. The one bright spot in all this is the radar.
Sure, it's expensive, and its usefulness is questionable, but at
least Czech taxpayers aren't paying for it.
[Czech Republic missile defense United States of America Czech
Railways Gripens BAE ]
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