Indra wins Frontex service contract
Indra has been awarded a service contract by the European Border Control Agency (Frontex) to incorporate its P2006T MRI aircraft into the EPN Triton maritime surveillance operation in the Mediterranean Sea, the company announced on 22 March.
The MRI aircraft is currently conducting surveillance in areas around southern Italy to track the movements of vessels involved in immigrant trafficking, and to support rescue efforts.
The aircraft collects and conveys in-flight information in real-time to the control station at Brindisi airport, Italy. The information is simultaneously shared with the Coordination and Control Center (LCC) of the Italian Guardia di Finanza located in Pomezia (Rome), and the Frontex offices in Warsaw, which supervise the operation.
The aircraft carries surveillance payloads including a FLIR Systems large-format high-definition electro-optical camera, an AIS vessel identification system and a Selex Galileo Seaspray 5000E radar. The aircraft can monitor areas from the coastline to 150 miles out to sea, with patrols lasting from four to six hours.
Indra plans to transfer the MRI P2006T to the Rozas Aero Transport Research Center (Lugo) after completing Frontex’s mission.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
The UK joins the movement towards joint procurement
The UK will spend an estimated US$3.89 billion over the next decade in joint naval programmes, a lot of which will be in cooperation with Norway.
-
Rheinmetall’s GMF 140: Ambitious frigate or market misfit?
Rheinmetall has unveiled its first next-generation frigate design, showing ambitions to compete as a surface combatant prime contractor. While the company is targeting North America, analysts believe the concept may be better positioned for future European programmes.
-
US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion Columbia-and Virginia-class submarine contract gives industry demand certainty as Washington seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding base.
-
Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity
The UK government’s £8.4 billion Dreadnought Phase 4 investment sets aside £2.5 billion for the wider submarine supply chain, opening new work beyond BAE Systems’ prime contract.
-
Hanwha Ocean deepens US ties and eyes Saudi submarine prospect after Canada setback
Hanwha Ocean is deepening ties with the US and eyeing a submarine opportunity in Saudi Arabia, as South Korea looks to convert its Canadian defeat into export momentum.