22 Feb 10. Israel launches cellular emergency missile alert system. The Israel Defence Force (IDF) has launched a new civilian population warning system that sends alerts to mobile phones. A multi-year plan inserted into the IDF’s 2010 budget is estimated to cost ILS180m (USD47.9m) and covers an add-on to its ground-based early warning system – called Red Colour – which activates warning sirens in the event of a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip against nearby Israeli communities. The Red Colour warning system uses a number of sensors including Elta’s EL/M-2084 multimission radar, which also supports the Iron Dome short-range rocket interception system scheduled for deployment along the border with the Gaza Strip later this year. (Source: Jane’s, IDR)

03 Mar 10. Allen Vanguard, the global leader for security protection and countermeasure solutions against lethal threats, will be launching their new manportable Search backpacks at the Counter-Terror Expo at Olympia, London from April 14-15 2010. Designed to military conditions and requirements, the manportable Search backpacks are some of the most comprehensive search equipment packages available. They provide security, Customs, law enforcement and military professionals with a unique suite of tools and have the following features and benefits:
*The ability to support operations from a basic level through to advanced level search operations *Enables search teams to comprehensively undertake search operations whether it is searching for contraband, concealed human cargo, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or other items *Equipment is packaged in three colour coded backpacks that are coherently organized into modular task specific pouches which fit into the backpacks, providing teams with the ability to reconfigure the backpacks to suit their mission
*Allows remote viewing of potential targets, target access, investigation, and recovery and recording of evidence