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26 February 2004

Smiths Detection, a division of Smiths Group plc, has been awarded a major contract by the German Ministry of the Interior for automatic explosives detection systems to be installed at Frankfurt Airport, the second busiest in Europe. Contracts have also been signed with customs authorities in Russia, for freight inspection equipment to be used on the Russia-Ukraine border, and in Israel to equip a number of seaports. Together the orders are valued at over EUR 25 million.

John Langston, Group Managing Director of Smiths Detection said: The Frankfurt contract, coming soon after completion of the major installation of baggage screening equipment at Munich Airport, reflects our focus on technology investment to support aviation security. Collectively, these three new contracts indicate the importance of a broad product offering, necessary for todays international high-security projects.

The systems to be installed at Frankfurt airport are based on the latest explosive detection tomography x-ray systems, EDtS. The machines are networked for x-ray image evaluation without delaying baggage flows. Smiths has already equipped Munich, Zurich and Brussels airports with similar fully automatic multi-level system solutions.

Frankfurt Airport (FRA) handles 460,000 scheduled flights every year. Its passenger numbers make it the second busiest airport in Europe, next to Londons Heathrow Airport, and the seventh busiest in the world.

The Russian Federal Customs Committee has ordered a relocatable high-energy x-ray system to inspect fully loaded trucks on the Russia-Ukraine border. It will be used in the search for drugs, weapons, explosives and undeclared goods. Following installation later this year, the system will run non-stop and inspect up to 300 trucks per day.

The Israeli customs authority has chosen HI-SCAN 180180 systems for use at several seaports. These systems facilitate a fast and reliable inspection of merchandise contained in crates, skeleton containers and other sea freight shipments.

ENDS

Notes to Editors
Smiths Detection announced this week a security screening contract for a Canadian Nuclear facility. Smiths Detection won a contract to supply five personnel screening portals the Sentinel II plus several lonscan desk top explosives trace detectors, to one of Canadas major nuclear power facilities. The Sentinel walk-through portals will be used to check for traces of explosives on employees and visitors entering the facility.

The Sentinel II is being used in the protection of power facilities, national landmarks, airports and other high-profile venues around the world. This technology represents a breakthrough in detecting explosives on individuals, enabling up to 420 people per hour to be screened.

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