New NCWC opens in Philippines

A new National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) has opened for maritime security in the Philippines, Raytheon announced on 18 May. Raytheon designed, implemented, and equipped the NCWC and its coastal system with its integrated border security solutions.

The coastal watch system project is part of a multiple-award, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity Cooperative Threat Reduction Integrating Contract II awarded in April 2011, and is part of support provided by the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency to the Philippines Maritime Agencies.

The NCWC is a critical part of the country's national coast watch system for maritime security, which aims to improve the country's ability to detect, prevent and deter threats and security risks in its territorial waters.

Raytheon also provided communication and surveillance solutions for the Palawan and Cebu islands with associated training and sustainment for the Filipino operators.

Dave Wajsgras, president, Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services, said: 'The centre's opening represents our commitment to providing critical services and solutions to help countries mitigate the risk of illicit weapons and materials crossing their sovereign borders.

'Raytheon's global mission operations team has extensive experience with successfully delivering similar solutions in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.'