The contract, to be managed by experts from British Nuclear Group, will focus on the Nikiet Institute in the centre of Moscow. It is one of Russia’s leading nuclear research centers. The project is worth up to 2 million euro and will focus on the provision of physical protection upgrades on fencing, lighting, CCTV and access control systems.

Trade and Industry Minister Nigel Griffiths commented: ”This is the first major contract under the DTI Global Partnership Nuclear Security Program. We believe this work will play a vital role in ensuring top level protection for nuclear materials, which are based at the Nikiet Institute. Prevention of the proliferation of nuclear materials is one of this Government’s highest international priorities, and this project represents a significant landmark in our co-operation with the Russian Federation to address this threat.”

Welcoming the UK assistance, Nikiet Institute Director, Dr Gabaraev said: «We regard this as a vital step in improving security at the Institute. We are pleased to be able to work with UK experts in this area and look forward to successful project implementation.”

The UK Nuclear Security program is part of the UK Global Partnership program against the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction agreed at the Kananaskis G8 summit in Canada in June 2002. The Global Partnership program aims to support specific co-operation projects, initially in Russia, to address non-proliferation, disarmament, counter-terrorism and nuclear safety issues.