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Jordan awards Raytheon $18.6 million to expand border security

By Ryan Maass
Syrian women a demonstrate during a protest calling for President Bashar al-Assad to step down in front of the Syrian embassy in Amman, Jordan, Sunday, April 17, 2011. UPI File photo
Syrian women a demonstrate during a protest calling for President Bashar al-Assad to step down in front of the Syrian embassy in Amman, Jordan, Sunday, April 17, 2011. UPI File photo | License Photo

DULLES, Va., Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Kingdom of Jordan has awarded Raytheon an $18.6 million contract to expand its border security work on the country's border with Syria.

The announcement of a new contract follows Raytheon's recent completion of Jordan border security work on the Syrian and Iraqi side of the country. Iraq and Syria have become increasingly destabilized since the incursion by the Islamic State, Sunni militants based in Syria and Iraq also identified as Daesh and by the acronyms ISIS and ISIL.

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The new contract will cover fencing, sensors, cameras, and a command and control system to enhance the Jordanian Armed Forces' ability to protect the country from external threats. Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services, says the contract represents his company's progress in the region.

"Raytheon continues to leverage local partnerships and regional knowledge to deliver a superior border security solution," Wajsgras said in a statement. "This latest contract award acknowledges Raytheon's growing expertise in the region."

A Raytheon-built border security operations center opened in Jordan in July. The $79 million project was funded by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and was able to begin operating three months ahead of schedule.

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Raytheon's border project will cover a total of 287 miles, including ground radars, communications systems, and quick reaction team vehicles.

Jordan currently hosts some 1.4 million Syrian refugees, only about half of whom are registered with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

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