NOTE FROM JAN ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA’S NUCLEAR WEAPONS

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South Africa looked at nuclear weapons as long ago as the 1960s. I don’t really say much about the nuclear weapons because they were never really a serious issue. The most important reason for them, and motivation for building the 6 bombs we built, was to have them in case the Russians used nuclear weapons on the SA Army. There was apparently talk of using them on Black capitals. I think they never really seriously intended using nukes ever. They might only have kept them if the Russians used them on our troops in the big battles in Angola. What is more interesting, which I’ve not spoken about, is the fabulous arms industry we had and we still have a bit of it even now. We had an amazing arms industry for such a small group of Whites in Africa. The Cheetah was one of the finest things we ever did – taking old Mirages and making them really DEADLY. Also our rockets were awesome and much more. My favourite weapons: G6, Rooikat, Rooivalk. Amazing for South Africa.