High velocity rockets are set to be stationed on the rooftop of an East London block of flats as the UK makes security preparations for the London Olympics.

Residents in the Lexington building, a private gated block of flats in Bow which holds 700 people, have been informed that ten soldiers will control the premises around the clock during the games.

UK defence secretary Philip Hammond announced in November that missiles would be stationed 1km from showpiece stadiums though the exact destination was not revealed until the weekend.

The weapons employed are reported to be the Starstreak model which travels faster than three times the speed of sound, has a range of 5km and uses a system of three dart-like projectiles to allow multiple hits on a target.

Although local residents have complained, security consultant Dr Sally Leivesley says such provisions are now a vital aspect of hosting the Games.

"Its all about deterrents and control of the air space," Leivesley told ABC AM.

"The government has an obligation to the International Olympic Committee to protect over a hundred heads of state and all the athletes that come from around the world."

Conservative MP Patrick Mercer, a former Army colonel who has long supported boosting anti-terrorism measures, says there are many different groups who will attempt to ruin the Olympic spectacle.

"I think there's a very clear threat. Not just from Islamist terrorists, not just from Irish terrorists, but a whole gamut of others who are keen to interrupt the games one way or another and make their point," Mercer said.