PRESS RELEASE: The Ministry of Defence procure products from Watchbird AS worth NOK 100 million through the Ukrainian Nansen donation program
Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik met with Rune Jomaas, CEO of the Norwegian company Watchbird, during Arendalsuka, and received an introduction to how the breathing masks work. Photo: Ministry of Defence
Norwegian innovation can save lives in Ukraine – SAFEgaiters® provide soldiers and personnel with improved respiratory protection.
Thanks to acquisitions through the Norwegian Government´s Nansen Program, the Norwegian MedTech company Watchbird AS will deliver a large number of SAFEgaiter® to Ukrainian forces.
From Norwegian special forces to Ukrainian frontlines
Watchbird has an ongoing four-year cooperation agreement with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) to develop technology for early warning and personal protection against contaminated air. Together with the Norwegian Special Forces and FFI, the company has developed the SAFEgaiter®, an advanced yet accessible face mask that protects against airborne pollution. The development has been supported by Innovation Norway (IN), the US Army Development Command (DEVCOM), and other national and international partners.
The SAFEgaiter® feature a respirator filter at FFP1 level, removing up to 90 percent of airborne particles and pollution. They protect against, among other things, CS gas, toxic blowback from ammunition and gunfire residues, smoke and exhaust, dust, asbestos, and microorganisms, and can increase operational capability up to thirty percent in contaminated environments. SAFEgaiter® is intended as a supplement to, not a replacement for the gas masks.
Accessible protection that saves lives
The SAFEgaiter® is designed for the many hours each day that soldiers and aid workers are exposed to smoke, dust, and gas residues, situations in which a full gas mask is impractical or undesirable. The SAFEgaiter® is a dual-use product for both military and civilian personnel, increasing operational endurance and providing enhanced occupational health and safety in contaminated areas.
Acute need in Ukraine
In collaboration with FFI and the NGO Free Ukraine, Watchbird has delivered 2,500 SAFEgaiters for testing and evaluation to more than 25 Ukrainian military and civilian units. The evaluation shows that the need for SAFEgaiters is enormous. Developed in Norway, the masks will soon be produced in Ukraine, by Ukrainians for Ukrainian personnel.
Action through cooperation
With support from the Norwegian Government´s Nansen Program, local production will quickly commence, allowing thousands of SAFEgaiters® to be sent directly to the frontlines. This is the result of targeted cooperation between Watchbird, the Ministry of Defence, FFI, the Norwegian Armed Forces, and IN, making it possible to turn urgent needs into concrete deliveries.
“We have seen the need with our own eyes and experienced what soldiers and aid workers are exposed to. SAFEgaiter® provide reliable and simple protection that can enhance operational presence at the front.
”Support from the Nansen Program is crucial for the company’s deliveries and development. A large number of people in Ukraine will get important protection during hard challenging situation. For soldiers and personnel in Ukraine, this award will give life-saving protection immediately. For us at Watchbird, this is a important step in realizing our vision: ‘Detect to Protect and Stay Operational.
We thank the Ministry of Defence, FFI, the Armed Forces, IN, and the NGO Free Ukraine for all support, facilitation, and research collaboration. Without them, and without the willingness and commitment from politicians to support Ukraine, this project would not have been realized.”
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Press Contact:
Rune Jomaas, CEO, Watchbird AS
rune.jomaas@watchbird.no
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