Sweden provides Ukraine with mobile air traffic control tower
Sweden is providing Ukraine with systems and training for remotely-operated air traffic control. The technology can be used for military air traffic control, but will also be an important resource when civil aviation resumes in the country.
Sweden is world-leading in remote air traffic control tower systems, and is now providing a mobile installation for Ukraine that makes it possible to control air traffic without a stationary control tower. With the help of cameras, air traffic controllers monitor traffic remotely and work from a protected location.
“Sweden’s support to Ukraine is long-term. This is Swedish expertise that can rapidly enable air traffic in places where control towers have been destroyed. Swedish Gripen fighter aircraft and control towers are both vital components in a functioning Ukrainian total defence,” says Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin.
“Mobile control towers have been high on Ukraine’s list of items that can contribute to the rebuilding of the country’s transport system. Many airports have been destroyed and control towers in particular typically take a long time to rebuild. With this unique Swedish technology for mobile control towers, civil aviation can resume as soon as airspace reopens,” says Minister for Infrastructure and Housing Andreas Carlson.
Many of Ukraine’s airports have been damaged or destroyed, which means that only a small number can be used. Because so many control towers have been rendered non-operational, remotely-controlled, mobile air traffic control solutions are a vital precondition for enabling the resumption of air traffic.
The mobile tower system will be delivered by Saab. Together with personnel training, the support will total SEK 78 million. The system will be delivered to Ukraine’s state aviation authority, the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Service Enterprise.
