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BIKINI state

The BIKINI state is an indication of an alert state as used by the British government, specifically the Ministry of Defence, to warn of non-specific forms of terrorist activity. In addition, the TESSERAL system is used to warn of a specific threat of terrorist use of surface to air missiles and/or anti-aircraft guns.

The BIKINI Alert States are defined as follows (most serious at top):

RED
Information has been received about an attack on a specific target.
AMBER
There has been specific information received and there is a substantial threat to government targets.
BLACK SPECIAL
There is an increased likelihood of an attack, but no defined target.
BLACK
There has been an assessment made that there is the possibility of an attack, but no defined target.
WHITE
No information available about a specific threat.


These alert states are also posted at the entrance to government buildings in respect to security and terrorism conditions. Whilst similar to the DEFCON alert states used in the United States, the BIKINI levels are defined by the section of the military or organisation rather than UK-wide. The highest levels of alert, RED and AMBER, are only intended to be maintained for limited times.

The same definitions apply to the TESSERAL alert states except that they are applied to a specific threat to military aircraft. Since TESSERAL applies to specific threats, the WHITE state is not used.

External links

  • A PowerPoint presentation for British Army training on BIKINI and TESSERAL http://www.atra.mod.uk/tasite/linked_files/Ta/Section1/TAFSSecurity/sy%20lecture
    .ppt
  • (Redacted) Memorandum by the Ministry of Defence on Defence and Security in the UK (January 2002) discussing BIKINI states http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmdfence/518-ii/20130
    02.htm
    • Note: Annex D referred to in the above is redacted in its entirety
  • A (redacted) Examination of Witnesses in the Select Committee on Defence discussing the costs of changes to BIKINI states http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmdfence/518-ii/20130
    15.htm
Last updated: 02-07-2005 23:59:18
Last updated: 03-01-2005 22:06:49