Staying one step ahead of terrorists

The European Commission announced last week (12 October) funding for 15 research projects aimed at combating terrorism. Around €15 millon are to be allocated to the projects over a period of seven years under the 7th framework programme (FP7).

Security is a central theme of FP7, accounting for a sizeable percentage of funds (€1.35 billion or €200m a year). "The Commission is determined to do its part to better protect our citizens," said Günter Verheugen, the enterprise commissioner.

The 15 projects covered include the protection of the EU water supply through sensing and decontamination technologies, the development of devices protecting citizens from biological or chemical attacks, and the creation of tracking systems aimed at following the movements of suspicious persons.

A number of organisations will carry out the projects. Thales, a French electronics company working in the fields of aerospace and security, for example, aims to develop information management tools to co-ordinate humanitarian missions better. The technology would be of great use to non-governmental organisations and health services.

Asked about any possible overlap with the functions of NATO, Verheugen stressed that the Commission was focusing on homeland security issues rather than defence research (which would concentrate more on military capacity).

The research, said Verheugen, would also have important economic benefits. "The US is very strong in this area and is investing huge amounts of money. It is important to identify areas where we can be competent," he said.

The European Defence Agency (EDA), set up two years ago to develop EU security and defence capabilities, welcomed the EU’s decision to fund the projects. "The EDA and the Commission have long argued that the European Union is not spending enough on [research] relevant to defence and security," says Nick Witney, EDA’s chief executive.

"The Commission and EDA are determined to work closely together in these areas. Software-defined radio is a good example, where the EDA plans to complement… Commission funding so that this key technology can be developed for both security and defence purposes in an integrated manner." Research on software defined radio is also to be awarded Commission funding. New technologies in this area will improve wireless interoperability between different security agencies within the EU.

The European Commission announced last week (12 October) funding for 15 research projects aimed at combating terrorism. Around €15 millon are to be allocated to the projects over a period of seven years under the 7th framework programme (FP7).