Airbus to
build TETRA

System to bolster Government intelligence

Airbus Defense and Space, a division of Airbus Group has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Interior for a Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) communication system for the General Directorate of General Security (GDGS). The contract was signed in January.

The company operates locally through its reseller, Serta Group Holding, owned by Resource Group Holding (RGH), Chaired by Hisham Itani. RGH also encloses Inkript for printing services, Intersektion a lottery and entertainment unit, and Prismainvest, a real estate entity.

The TETRA network will replace the existing analog networks and will be made available to more than 3,000 subscribers of the Government intelligence services, which ensure national security and public order throughout the country. The new TETRA network will allow the security forces to secure communication across sensitive locations in Lebanon, such as airports, sea ports and borders.

The contract includes the delivery of TETRA switches, base stations, dispatcher workstations and more than 2,000 radio terminals. The new system is expected to be fully deployed within six months, and works are expected to start this month, according to Paul Tohme, General Manager-Head of Managed Services at Serta Group Holding. Both parties, the GDGS and Serta, refused to disclose the sum invested in the project.

Two years ago, a similar system was installed for the Lebanese Armed Forces, at a budget of over $20 million. It was awarded to US firm Advanced Technology Systems.