May 24,2008:
Germany, a major manufacturer of
heavy trucks, has implemented new regulations that make it more difficult for
Iran and Syria to obtain heavy trucks. These, Germany has discovered, were
often used for carrying and launching large rockets and missiles. Syria and
Iran have long been buying heavy trucks, ostensibly for civilian use, then
modifying them to serve as TELs (Transporter Erector Launcher) for missiles. From
now, no German firm can export certain types of trucks (three or more axles,
weighing over 20 tons) without government permission.
Truck
manufacturing firms have protested, pointing out that Chinese firms also make
these heavy trucks (although not as well, which is why Syria and Iran have been
willing to pay more for German models).