Aerial surveillance of Australia's northern borders is being significantly strengthened through new technology and extra resources, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison said in Darwin today.

Senator Ellison welcomed into service the first upgraded Dash 8 surveillance aircraft, and announced the selection of a Surveillance Information Management System (SIM) and the successful tenderer to provide a rapid response helicopter service.

These three initiatives are part of a range of measures funded by the Howard Government to protect Australia's offshore maritime areas.

Surveillance Information Management System

All aircraft under the new Coastwatch contract with Surveillance Australia Pty Ltd (SAPL), and the National Surveillance Centre (NSC) in Canberra, will be fitted with the SIM to enable improved ability to detect threats and a faster response to be coordinated.

The SIM will automatically capture and integrate surveillance information from surveillance aircraft and transmit in near real time between other aircraft and the NSC.

Italian company, Galileo Avionica has been selected to supply the SIM following an international search for a commercially available system that would meet Customs and Border Protection Command's requirements.

The first aircraft will be fitted with SIM in October 2008 with the rest of the fleet being progressively fitted over time in order to maintain the Coastwatch flying program.

Upgrade of Coastwatch Aircraft

Senator Ellison said the entry into service of the first upgraded Dash 8-202 aircraft (ZZP) was an important step in the Coastwatch Sentinel program to provide effective civil maritime surveillance through to 2020.

Nine more Dash 8 aircraft will be fitted with up-to-date maritime surveillance technology including improved electro-optics, infrared sensors, radars and satellite communications. The improved sensors will allow detection of smaller targets at a greater range and result in increased total area coverage searched in a mission.

The Sentinel program is valued at about $1 billion over 12 years and is integral to the activities of Border Protection Command in managing Customs and Defence assets to ensure that Australia's northern sea borders are closely monitored and protected.

Rapid Response Helicopter

Senator Ellison also announced the deployment of a new Rapid Response Helicopter service to be based in Gove which brings a new capability to detect and respond to landings or abandoned vessels in particularly remote areas in Australia's north and offshore regions.

Helicopters (Australia) is the successful tenderer for the service. Under the contract, the company will operate a new Eurocopter-145 twin-engine helicopter from April 2008. A BK-117-B2 twin-engine helicopter will operate in the interim commencing in May 2007.

The new helicopter capability was one of a range of measures announced by the Government in the 2006/07 Budget funding package to combat illegal foreign fishing in Australia's northern waters.

"These initiatives demonstrate the Howard Government's commitment to protecting our borders against threats such as illegal foreign fishing, people smuggling and quarantine risks," Senator Ellison.

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Matt Francis 0406 052 038