All Russian border crossings now equipped with radiation detection systems

Fri, 2011-09-23 08:02 AM
By: Mark Rockwell

Almost 400 Russian border crossings are now equipped with radiation detection systems aimed at preventing smuggling of nuclear materials, said the U.S. agency that helped put the equipment in place.

In a joint operation, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Federal Customs Service of Russia (FCS Russia) said all 383 border crossings in the country received and installed the detection equipment. NNSA conducted the operation under its Second Line of Defense (SLD) program.

The detection systems find and deter illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials across international border, said the two agencies in a joint statement on Sept. 22. The systems are an integral component of border control and the international nonproliferation regime, they said.

SLD and FCS implemented a cost-sharing partnership approach in 1996, said NNSA, that was intended to improve technical capabilities. In 2006, recognizing the ongoing importance of this work in combating the threat of international nuclear terrorism, SLD and FCS reached an agreement to jointly equip every crossing point in the Russian Federation with radiation detection devices by the end of 2011.

The two agencies said they began on-the-ground cooperation in 1998, installing stationary and portable radiation monitoring devices at Russian border crossings, as well as on the maintenance and sustainability of these systems. The radiation detection equipment complies with the highest standards and is tailored to the customs control techniques used by FCS, said NNSA. The equipment is a dependable tool in the interdiction of nuclear materials and radioactive substances smuggling, it said.

SLD and FCS said they are also currently working on jointly installing a communications integration system, with an eye to integrate all Directorates, Customs Houses and border crossings by the end of 2015.

“By meeting our mutual goal of securing Russian border crossings, we have reduced the risk of illicit trafficking in nuclear and radioactive materials, strengthened our partnership in the international fight against terrorism, and taken a significant step in implementing President Obama’s nuclear security agenda,â€