On 9 and 10 November, Frontex is organising Industry Days focused on light technical equipment for tackling cross-border crime at the external borders of the European Union.
This equipment has the potential to significantly improve border control activities as it can be used to enhance the detection of cross-border crime, such as the smuggling of drugs, firearms, ammunitions, explosives, stolen cars, and counterfeit goods.
The complex character of cross-border crime threats requires Frontex to be aware of the state-of-the-art technological solutions intended to counter these types of criminal activities in order to improve operational support to EU Member States.
The upcoming event will be an opportunity to present the latest advancements in the following technological areas:
- handheld backscatter devices;
- handheld explosive trace detectors;
- handheld narcotics trace detectors;
- contraband detection kits, having the following composition:
- inspection cameras (portable videoscopes/borescopes) with appropriate ending providing access to fuel tanks (upgraded from fiberscopes to increase the quality of the kit),
- density metre and contraband detector (measures the density of the tested surface which may indicate hidden compartments),
- inspection probes (stainless steel probes designed to trap contraband when inserted into upholstery, sacks, flower beds, etc.),
- laser rangefinders (used to find false walls, bulkheads and hidden compartments in trucks, containers, cars, etc.),
- extension inspection mirrors with flashlight (to inspect the area underneath vehicles);
- under-vehicle imaging surveillance systems/scanners;
- Counter Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (C-RPAS), namely systems allowing the detection of RPAS used by criminal groups to smuggle goods across the borders or compromise border authorities' activities by revealing patrol routes;
- raman spectroscopes;
- equipment used to detect weapons, their components and ammunitions;
- heartbeat detectors (including portable solutions);
carbon dioxide detectors;
radiation pagers (personal dosimeter).
This list should not be considered as exhaustive, and other technological solutions will be taken into consideration if relevant for tackling cross-border crime.
Practical
information
What
are Industry Days?
Industry
Days are a platform to interact and engage with experts from the European
Border and Coast Guard community. The goal is to create a forum where
participants can freely discuss the proposed technological innovations.
The
Industry Days will be held in an online format which will host engaging presentations
and dynamic discussions, alongside an interactive digital exhibition platform.
Each participating entity will be granted a 40-minute slot; during this time a
presentation, Q&A session, and collaborative discussions will be held.
Who
can participate and how to register?
If your
organisation is at the forefront of these transformative technological
advancements and you wish to place your innovation in the spotlight, we invite
you to register. Follow this link to
sign-up for the upcoming Industry Day. Please provide an overview of the
technology you wish to showcase. Registration will be open until 26
October 2023.
Attendance
is by invitation only; more information will be communicated separately to the
selected applicants. Technological solutions must respect the legal limitations
resulting from the European Union data protection rules and human rights
provisions.
How
will the submissions be evaluated?
All
submissions will be evaluated internally, ensuring alignment with the needs of
the European Border and Coast Guard community while guaranteeing the fair and
transparent treatment of all participants. Every significant contribution will
be showcased on our dedicated online platform.
We are happy to share the downloadable report and presentations from our Frontex Light Technical Equipment CBC Counteraction Industry Day on 10 November. The announcement can be consulted below, under the presentations.
What
did we seek?
The
objective of the call was to attract service providers offering light-technical
equipment to enhance the detection of cross-border crime.
How
many companies presented their solutions?
8
companies presented their solution in a virtual meeting.
What
was discussed during the meeting?
The
meeting enabled a direct and comprehensive discussion on the solutions included
in the submissions between the providers and the EBCG community.
Where
can I find the presentations?
All
presentations can be accessed via the links below.