Tag: FASS
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Frontex has air superiority
With its aerial surveillance, from space and soon possibly from the stratosphere, the EU border agency is becoming a quasi-secret service Twice in the past six years, the EU has drastically expanded Frontex’s powers. In 2016, the agency was allowed to purchase its own equipment, and first began leasing its own aircraft. As a “Frontex […]
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Migration control: EU agency spends € 1.5 billion on virtual borders
The launch of the new Entry/Exit System is delayed to September 2023, the Commission says the contracted companies are to blame. Between 2014 and 2020 alone, Frontex and eu-LISA agencies spent a total of €1.9 billion on contracts for border surveillance and control systems. This figure is provided by the British civil rights organisation Statewatch, […]
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New unmanned capabilities: When will the EU use drones for practical sea rescue?
Two leading drone manufacturers report readiness to equip their aircraft with life rafts. These can be dropped with pinpoint accuracy over a maritime emergency. But perhaps this would also encourage violations of the Geneva Refugee Convention. The Portuguese company Tekever can now equip its drone “AR5” with life rafts for eight people. The new capability […]
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Frontex pays another €84 million for aerial surveillance
The border agency spends one-sixth of its budget on flights at the EU’s external borders. With the service, the Frontex director makes himself independent of the governments of the member states. A contract for helicopter operations does not materialise for the time being. In the meantime, however, Libya has ordered helicopters from Airbus. Frontex has […]