Philippines inaugurates new Raytheon-designed Coastal Watch Centre

Built under the multiple award indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity cooperative threat reduction integrating contract awarded in April 2011, the coastal watch system represents a major milestone in the support provided by the US Defense Threat Reduction Agency to the Philippines Maritime Agencies.

Under the contract, Raytheon designed, implemented, and equipped the centre and its coastal system using its integrated border security solutions.

Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS) president Dave Wajsgras 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."

Raytheon IIS Mission Support and Modernisation vice-president Todd Probert said: "Our approach is based on a deep understanding of customer needs and our ability to tailor solutions with the best capabilities to meet their current and future security needs.

"This project is another demonstration of our ability to create regional partnerships and deploy solutions globally, on schedule and within budget."

The NCWC will serve as the hub of the Philippines’ National Coast Watch System for maritime security, by improving the ability of the country’s maritime forces to detect, prevent and deter threats and security risks across its territorial waters.

The Raytheon team also provided communication and surveillance solutions for the islands of Palawan and Cebu, along with associated training and sustainment for the Filipino operators.