Saudi Arabia inaugurates Iraq border security system
A project to secure Saudi Arabia’s northern border with Iraq has culminated in the inauguration of a border security system supplied by an Airbus Defence and Space (D&S)-led team.
The Northern Border Security (NBS) Project is the first part of the Saudi Border Guard Development Programme which aims to secure the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s borders with advanced border surveillance security systems.
The NBS is a fully-integrated technological security-solution encompassing 900kms of the border with Iraq. It consists of one sand berm, three fences, seven Command & Control (C2) Centres, 32 Response Stations, 240 Response Vehicles and ten Surveillance Reconnaissance Vehicles.
Security is enforced through 40 surveillance towers, equipped with Airbus DS TRGS-SEC radars and day/night cameras, and 38 communication towers, all of which are connected to the C2 centres, the National HQ and the Ministry of Interior over 1.45 million km of fibre-optic cables. These assets, combined, provide advanced operational awareness and means to mitigate and monitor threats of all natures.
Dietmar Pilz, project director, said: ‘I am proud to be responsible of this final stage of the project and to see all our years of hard work and technical know-how finally culminating in this inauguration of our state-of-the art border security system. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved throughout the project.’
A ceremony to inaugurate the system earlier in September was attended by the Minister of Interior Prince Mohammed bin Naif, members of the royal family, various delegates, and also King Hamad ibn Isa al Khalifa of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
More from Land Warfare
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Large vehicles and counter-drone systems take the limelight]()
World Defense Show 2026: Large vehicles and counter-drone systems take the limelight
Visitors who attended the first World Defense Show four years ago continue to speak of the difficulties they faced with poor facilities and power problems. This year’s event emphasised its status as one of the major defence expositions and as a place where regional players and those less welcome at other shows could take centre stage.
-
![Active vehicle protection comes to the forefront as Trophy and Iron Fist secure contracts]()
Active vehicle protection comes to the forefront as Trophy and Iron Fist secure contracts
Experience on the battlefield is accelerating the adoption of active protection systems as technologies continue to evolve to reflect shifting global defence needs.
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Hanwha increases Middle East presence and reveals Tigon 6x6 sale]()
World Defense Show 2026: Hanwha increases Middle East presence and reveals Tigon 6x6 sale
Shephard sat down with Hanwha Middle East and Africa president Sung Il at World Defense Show 2026 to hear about the company’s plans for the region and how it plans to use local industry success to win deals.
-
![Estonia builds Asia-Pacific links as it looks to scale defence industry capabilities]()
Estonia builds Asia-Pacific links as it looks to scale defence industry capabilities
Collaboration between Estonian defence companies and well-aligned firms in Asia-Pacific will form a key part of Tallinn’s ambitions to significantly grow its defence industrial base.
-
![World Defense Show 2026: DOK-ING working on MV-8 variants and reveals specs ahead of Eurosatory]()
World Defense Show 2026: DOK-ING working on MV-8 variants and reveals specs ahead of Eurosatory
The Croatian company began the development of the MV-8 modular uncrewed platform in the early 2020s. Specifications for the vehicle were revealed to Shephard at World Defense Show 2026.
