Nov 21 2007
Poland's Komenda Glowna Strazy Granicznej has selected Alcatel-Lucent to lead a consortium with Elbit Security Systems Ltd., to deploy a sophisticated Observation Tower System that will be based on advanced long- range observation equipment.
The contract is valued at 2.3 million EUR, and the system is expected to be operational in Q1 2008.
This new system will enable the Polish Border Guard to continuously monitor part of the country's eastern border, which forms the entrance to the European Union. In addition, the system will enable the guard to more efficiently fulfill its responsibilities of preventing illegal border crossings and smugglings, and more rapidly detect wildfires.
The system will give border guards visibility along more than 250 kilometers of the Polish border while stationed in Straz Graniczna' buildings. The new Observation Tower System will supplement the existing monitoring equipment that the Polish Border Guard currently uses, which includes helicopters, mobile surveillance vehicles, radar systems and night observation and thermo vision devices.
"The new Observation Tower System will allow us to protect and better monitor the EU Eastern border in Poland and react more quickly and effectively when an incident arises," said Justyna Szubstarska, a spokeswoman with Komenda Glowna Strazy Granicznej. "The system also will help us monitor traffic at border checkpoints, watch for forests fires along the state border and support rescue services during natural disasters."
Alcatel-Lucent and Elbit Security Systems, will deliver 11 integrated long-range optoelectronic sensors, including a thermal imager, long-range charge coupled devices (CCD) and laser range finders that will be mounted on existing border guard towers. Elbit Security Systems is providing the optoelectronic equipment.
Leveraging its world-class expertise in network integration, deployment and maintenance services, Alcatel-Lucent will provide a turnkey integrated communications system that will enable video images to be transmitted from the towers to local border guard command centers where operators will constantly supervise monitored area.
"We are proud that Alcatel-Lucent has been selected to implement this significant stationary border protection system as it will enhance the safety and security of Poland's border, consequently protecting the European Union. With this project, Alcatel-Lucent continues to reaffirm its leadership as the network integrator of the industry's most advanced communications solutions for the security and defense market," said Michael Fabian, President of Alcatel-Lucent's Industry & Public Sector Division.
Uri Dubkin, Elbit Security Systems General Manager, said, "We are proud to be selected by Poland in providing Elbit Security Systems' and Alcatel- Lucent's solution, which is characterized by the best capabilities both companies bring to the project. We hope this innovative system, will serve as a springboard for future cooperation and winning additional projects of this type."