Advanced detection systems for passenger, baggage and cargo screening at Egyptian airports are being supplied by Smiths Detection.

Contracts for the systems, worth nearly $22 million, were issued recently by the Falcon Group, an Egyptian security supplier with a close relationship to Egyptian Military Intelligence, part of the Egyptian Ministry of Defense.

"Enhancing aviation security through leading-edge technology is our top priority," said Tony Tielen, regional vice president for Egypt and the Middle East at Smiths Detection. "With a broad portfolio of detection technologies, an excellent customer-orientated sales team and a strong local partner, ITI, we are proud to be a trusted partner of the Egyptian Ministry of Defense.

"The range of screening systems included in this contract will help provide world-class detection capabilities to protect against evolving threats."

The contracts cover the provision of X-ray scanners, people-screening systems and trace detectors as part of national program to provide an additional layer of security to existing equipment at airports

Included are the company's HI-SCAN 6040aTiX and HI-SCAN 6040-2is HR, which combine multi- or dual-view, high-resolution imaging with sophisticated software to automatically detect explosives in carry-on baggage; the IONSCAN 600, which detects and identifies explosives from traces found on baggage or clothing; HI-SCAN 100100T-2is and HI-SCAN 145180-2is X-ray machines for screening oversized baggage and air cargo for explosives and other threats.

Smiths Detection in Germany is part of Britain-based Smiths Group.