HOMELAND SECURITY
11 Jan 08. The Maritime Safety Administration (MSA) of China has signed a contract for the supply of two AW109 Power light twin turbine engine helicopters, with an option for an additional two to be exercised next year. The MSA is responsible for monitoring all inland and coastal waters and these two helicopters will be dedicated to controlling and fighting water pollution.
14 Jan 08. The US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has purchased the QinetiQ SPO threat detection system as part of a package of measures that will bring enhanced security technology to travellers in the United States. The TSA has purchased 12 SPO units from QinetiQ under an ID/IQ (Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity) contract that allows for additional purchases over the next two years.
11 Jan 08. Saudi Arabia is shortly expected to award one of the world’s biggest border security contracts, underlining how the global terrorist threat has made homeland security an increasingly lucrative area for defence contractors in recent years. Raytheon of the US, Finmeccanica of Italy, along with EADS, Europe’s leading aerospace and defence group, and Thales of France are all on the final shortlist for the contract, which is expected to be worth between $10bn and $15bn. The contract, known as the Miksa (Ministry of the Interior, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) border contract, aims to improve security along Saudi Arabia’s 6,500km border, which it shares with countries including Kuwait, Iraq, Yemen and Oman. It will cover the installation, operation and maintenance of a state-of-the-art control system. It is expected to run for 12 years and will involve the construction of radar stations to monitor ground movement, infrastructure such as buildings and roads, as well as the installation of a countrywide communications network. (Source: FT.com)