Canada's decision to buy lasers designed to temporarily blind an enemy is attracting criticism from those who believe the devices could cause permanent eye damage. "The senior military leadership has recommended the purchase, and the $10-million project is now awaiting approval from Defence Minister Peter MacKay," reports the Canwest News Service. "Defence insiders say the military's lawyers examined the legalities of using the devices on Afghans, and concluded the systems are not laser weapons and can be deemed warning devices. MacKay is expected to approve the purchase."
The article quotes one critic, Anthony Salloum, the program director at the Rideau Institute, questioning the safety of the devices. "If these are so safe and so legal, then where is the evidence?" he asks. "How come (Defence) is not releasing any of its reports and test materials to back up their claims?"
The green lasers are growing in popularity among militaries as warning devices and as a tool to temporarily distract or disorient a potential aggressor. The United States has already sent similar lasers to Iraq and Afghanistan, and India has developed its own version.
In the meantime, dozens of young Russians were permanently blinded when commercial lasers were misused at a music festival.
[Image: India's Defence Research & Development Organisation]
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