Fed: Army chief says rocket launcher thief dishonours uniform

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2007
Fed: Army chief says rocket launcher thief dishonours uniform

CANBERRA, April 5 AAP - Any soldier who breaks either civil or military law by stealing
and selling military weapons on the black market is a disgrace to the uniform, Army chief
Lieutenant General Peter Leahy says.

Two men and a woman have been arrested in Sydney today over the alleged theft of seven
army rocket launchers from the army.

The men, aged 46 and 38, from Wattle Grove and Mount Annan, and a 63-year-old woman
from Tahmoor, were arrested and are being questioned about their alleged involvement in
the rocket launcher theft, police said.

Only one of the seven anti-tank rocket launchers stolen from the army has been recovered.

General Leahy said today there had been full cooperation between the Australian Defence
Force and state and federal authorities.

"We have made adjustments to the methods that we maintain the security and protection
of our equipment and weapons and we stand ready to fully cooperate and support further
state and federal authorities.

"Anyone who breaks either federal, state or army laws is dishonouring themselves and
is a disgrace to the uniform.

"It is a clear statement of what I think of people who act illegally."

That follows reports of the theft of army M-72 rocket launchers, prompting an intensive
police investigation.

Defence also conducted a broad-ranging review of weapons storage practices.

AAP mb/nf/mn

KEYWORD: ROCKETS ARMY

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