Hanoi. In a development aimed at heightened intelligence gathering in its coastal areas, Vietnam has awarded a contract to Israel’s Controp for the supply of observation and surveillance systems for new ships built in Vietnam and India.

The latest move also underscores Hanoi’s increased assertiveness in securing its coastal lines.

The Israeli company, which specializes in lightweight electro-optics, has been an active player in Vietnam for several years; and in 2017 it had won a contract for the supply of electro-optic and infrared payloads.

In the latest deal, Controp is slated to supply the iSea-25HD, a lighter version of iSea30 and iSea50, which has been designed such that the entire system is contained in a single unit for medium-sized boats.

In total, 12 ships will be fitted with the iSea-25HD system, with seven of them being manufactured locally while the rest will be built in India’s L&T shipyards.

Over the last two and half years, the iSea-25HD has been developed with a light footprint, featuring day and night cameras. It enables ships to see small crafts, including fishing boats at a distance of up to 10 kilometers; for larger ships, the distance jumps to 20 kilometers, said Dror Harari, senior marketing director for Asia at Controp.

He went on to add, the iSea-25HD is also fitted with a laser range finder.

“These systems are part of the current complete surveillance systems they have on board with radar and communications that enable them to control economic waters, and it is the first time we are selling this version to the Vietnamese,” said Harari while noting that deliveries will be spread across several months.

Weighing at just 13 kilogram, the iSea-25 HD is contained in a single turret unit and does not require external boxes or other items, differentiating it from older, larger models. It also provides “continuous and uninterrupted line-of-sight (LOS) view, ensuring a very clear picture, even in the roughest of seas, and is robust enough to withstand even the harshest environmental conditions including fog, moisture, salinity and excessive splashing.”

In the wake of an increasing beligerent China, Vietnam has been increasing its surveillance systems across its 3,000-kilometre-long coastline.

“Now there are increasing investment in building more ships and renovating some they have by adding these modern capabilities or surveillance,” said Harari.

Incidentally, Controp also makes a land version of the same optical unit for use on remote weapons stations and is being currently evaluated by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Controp was acquired by Aeronautics, a drone-maker, in 2012 and successively in 2019 Rafael acquired Aeronautics in a US$240 million deal. Controp’s optics have been used on Aeronautics’ UAVs and Rafael’s remote-weapon stations.

-The writer is a defence and security industry consultant having varied experience working with medium and large companies majorly in European market. The views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda