NNSA’s Second Line of Defense Program (SLD) is providing the Romanian Border Police with two vans
- By April Murelio -
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Border Police of Romania commissioned mobile radiation detection equipment for use in Romania at a ceremony held in Bucharest.
Under a 2008 Implementing Agreement between DOE and the Ministry of Interior and Administrative Reform of Romania, NNSA’s Second Line of Defense Program (SLD) is providing the Romanian Border Police with two vans equipped with radiation detection equipment, along with related handheld detection and isotope identification equipment. SLD also provides training on the use of this equipment. The Romanian Border Police will use the equipment at international points of entry as well as at other locations throughout the country.
“In the hands of our well trained and experienced Romanian Border Police partners, this equipment will assist in preventing and deterring the illicit trafficking of nuclear material and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We plan to continue our cooperation with the Romanian Border Police to include installation of stationary equipment at key ports of entry,” said Ken Baker, NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation.
The vans with mobile radiation detection equipment are capable of detecting gamma-rays and neutron sources, including highly enriched uranium and plutonium. This new equipment will enable Romanian Border Police to detect, deter and prevent the transfer of nuclear and other radioactive material at Romania’s borders, as well as at other points in Romania where radiation detection is needed.
NNSA’s Second Line of Defense Program works with foreign governments worldwide to install specialized radiation detection equipment and train officials to detect smuggled nuclear and other radioactive materials. Similar equipment has been installed at over 200 sites around the world.
More information on NNSA’s Second Line of Defense program is available online.
Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science in the nation’s national security enterprise. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, reliability, and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile without nuclear testing; reduces the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad. Visit http://www.nnsa.energy.gov/ for more information.