US government hands over data-fusion equipment to Seychelles’information-sharing centre |28 July 2021
Souvenir photos of officers from Seychelles and the US after the presentation ceremony
The US government is pleased to announce the recent installation of theMaritime Domain Awareness Open-Source (OpenSA) operations centre at the National InformationSharing and Coordination Centre (NISCC) in Seychelles.
The centre will use a data fusion system that will enable the display of a common operating picture forintelligence gathering and mission tasking. It will combine data from different sensors, such as radar andvessel monitoring systems (VMS) and incorporate the information received into the OpenSA system fordisplay at the NISCC.
This system will allow Seychelles to better monitor and protect its exclusiveeconomic zone, and deal with challenges like drug trafficking and illegal fishing.
The project was funded by the United Nations’ International Maritime Organisation and contracted through the US Embassy using the United States’ Foreign Military Sales programme. The ceremony to hand over the data-fusion equipment was held at REFLECS building yesterday.
Rear Admiral Jeffrey Spivey, director of maritime partnership programme for the US NavalForces Europe-Africa/Sixth Fleet, and NISCC director,Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Benoiton welcomed the handover of the equipment.
“Thank you for your willingness to partner with the US in our shared maritime security interests in the Western Indian Ocean. This newly installed system is emblematic of the longstanding maritime security relationship between the US and Seychelles,” Rear Admiral Jeffrey S. Spivey said.
“This represents another milestone in the development of our maritime security and safety. It shows the strong relationship in maritime security that the United States and other partners with Seychelles have nurtured over the years. The realisation and the installation of this project by the US team will further enhance and strengthen our bilateral security agreement,” Lieutenant Colonel Leslie Benoiton said.
Contributed by Embassy of the United States of America for Mauritius and Seychelles