EADS DS has been awarded the border security contract for Saudi Arabia.

After several years of strong competition, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space – Defence & Security company (EADS DS) has been awarded the contract to provide security for all of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) borders.

This follows the awarding of the security contract for the Northern border neighbouring Iraq, and now means that EADS will secure the full 9,000km (about 5,600 miles) around the Kingdom, covering all desert, mountain and sea borders – including land borders with Yemen and Kuwait.

The company stated that the win “will ensure border coverage is visible and managed at the sector level, whilst simultaneously providing situational awareness at the regional and national level.”

According to French news magazine Le Point, the contract is worth around $2.8 billion (£1.7bn). Stefan Zoller, EADS Defence & Security CEO, commented on the contract win: “We are very pleased to have earned the trust and the confidence of the KSA government. We are committed to dedicate all our capacities and capabilities to deliver this program on time and in the quality our customer expects. That includes also long-term investments in the country.”

EADS DS is a subsidiary of EADS, a global leader in defence and aerospace, which employs 23,000 people worldwide. The European company provides systems such as sensors and secure networks through missiles to aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), along with global security, service and support solutions. 

The contract will be carried out over the next five years and is supported by Saudi’s Al Rashid Trading & Contracting company (RTCC).