Frontex | Border Surveillance

The border surveillance programme is concerned with improving detection of irregular migration and cross-border crime as it occurs between border crossing points (BCPs).

Following the rationale of Integrated Border Management (IBM) it is important that border management authorities exchange relevant information on border related issues and use new technologies improving efficiency of border control.

As in the area of border checks, Frontex’s research work on border surveillance is aimed at helping Member States identify and address any existing vulnerabilities at their borders.

An important initiative under the border surveillance programme is the development of the backbone of the European Surveillance System (EUROSUR). The aim is to improve the situational awareness of border management authorities and Frontex, with a view to preventing irregular migration at the external borders more effectively and increasing internal security by preventing cross-border crime, such as trafficking in human beings and drug smuggling.

The border surveillance programme also includes activities which investigate the possibilities of automated data mining and media analysis as part of the creation of an EU-wide intelligence picture.

An additional area of research and development (R&D) involves assessing the viability of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in providing enhanced surveillance coverage of long stretches of land and sea borders. This is of particular importance in improving search and rescue success rates. Planned activities in this respect include further research on the deployment of RPAS for European border surveillance, and organising practical demonstrations and tests of the equipment.