Flir SYSTEMS ESTABLISHES AN ASIAN FOOTPRINT
By Julian Nettlefold, Editor BATTLESPACE
21 Apr 08. Bob Coveny, VP International Business Development of FLIR Systems, Inc. told BATTLESPACE at the DSA that its Star SAFIRE family of imagers continues to be the most widely adopted, multi-sensor airborne system in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim. FLIR said it has more than 200 systems now in service in the region.
Operators in Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Republic of Korea are currently using these systems for SAR, homeland security, anti-piracy, economic zone enforcement and counter-immigration and counter terrorism. FLIR has a diversified installed base of Star SAFIRE systems — including SSI, SSII, SSIII, & HD versions – in northeast and southeast Asia and Australia and New Zealand. The company reports it has installed base of more than 210 systems in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea, plus others spread around the SE Asian region.
“This technology represents another validation of the highly reliable performance of FLIR Systems’ commercially developed, military qualified (CDMQ) imaging products, delivered to a demanding customer base,” Coveny told BATTLESPACE “We are very pleased with the on-going demand for our Star SAFIRE imaging systems.”
Worldwide, FLIR Systems has delivered – or has on order – more than 2,200 of its Star SAFIRE family of systems, 170 of which are the high definition versions.
Coveny said that Asia had always been a challenge for Flir, although the Company was now well established in the region and he expected sales to grow by as much as 30% a year. Flir has already sold 9 cameras in the region since December 2007.
“What has caused this surge in sales?” The Editor asked.
“Post-9/11, the U.S. and U.K. Governments persuaded Asian countries to provide more maritime and border surveillance These countries have recognised the need for better security particularly since terrorist events near or in their own countries. Flir is particularly involved with the Malaysian Martime Enforcement Agency where we have provided two Talon TACFlir systems for their Bombardier CL-415 Maritime Patrol aircraft. We have also provided the Malaysian Police with three Star Sapphire systems under an FMS sale. We have also sold seventeen Thermo Vision 2000 Coastal Surveillance cameras. We recently sold 6 cameras to the Indonesian Police in an area which is experiencing a renaissance since the tsunami. We have sold a number of Sea Flir 3 cameras to the Taiwan Navy for thei P-3 Orion aircraft. In all we have sold 250 cameras of all types in the region.”
“Have you sold any systems into Iraq since the FMS requirement was announced?”
“Yes we are supplying 22 StarSapphire 3 cameras to Iraq for mounting on their new fleet of Mi 17 helicopters. These will be delivered between June and December of ’08.”
On April 21st, the first day of DSA, FLIR announced that the Japanese Coast Guard took delivery of three AgustaWestland AW139helicopters in March, each outfitted with FLIR’s Star SAFIRE HD imaging system.
The AW139s will be deployed at Coast Guard bases throughout Japan and used to perform maritime search and rescue and patrol missions. These helicopters were ordered in late 2006 as the initial phase of a replacement program for up to 24 helicopters.
The Star SAFIRE family of imagers continues to be the most widely adopted multi-sensor airborne system in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim, with over 75 systems now in service in the region. Operators in Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Republic of Korea are currently using these systems for SAR, homeland security, and counter-immigration and counter terrorism.
“How do you intend to grow the business in the Region?”
“Bill Sundermeier, president of FLIR Government Systems, Inc., has made it his stated aim to develop more service and support centres in the area. We currently have a centre in Japan and w