The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has awarded Thales a contract to support the modernisation of the Greek civil aviation Navigation Aids infrastructure.
The Navigation Surveillance capabilities will ensure all-weather, en-route navigation and approach services and will significantly increase both safety and air traffic efficiency.
As physical devices on the ground Navigation Aids (NAVAIDS) assist pilots in defining the aircraft’s position during landing and take-off, as well as during flight to accurately navigate through the airspace.
The turnkey contract includes the supply of 10 Dopper VHF Omnidirectional Range (DVOR) and 13 Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), as well as six Instrument Landing Systems (ILS). The DVOR and DME are ground-based radio frequency and processing beacon systems that provide bearing and distance to the aircraft crew to verify the position and to navigate in the air space within the predefined routes and flights procedures in full situation awareness and safe conditions. Meanwhile, the ILS is a ground-based radio frequency system, installed at the airport runway that generates an electromagnetic path for the pilots to follow during the critical landing manouevre. It increases safety and reliability and, as a result, enhances the efficiency of approach and landing procedure especially under poor weather and visibility conditions.
The agreement also comprises of the installation of instruments on 18 different sites across the country, from remote mountain peaks, to major hubs such as Athens International Airport.
“This award is a testament to the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority’s renewed confidence in Thales as a partner to provide advanced ground-based air navigation systems. We are proud to support Greece’s initiative to provide an even safer and more efficient airspace for travellers,” said Christophe Salomon, Executive Vice President, Thales – Land & Air Systems.
Over 60% of the project will be carried out locally in collaboration with Greek industries, including Thales Hellas, highlighting the country’s technical expertise in delivering critical infrastructures.
The instruments will be run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without any unpredicted service interruptions to ensure the safety of air travellers. These systems are fully designed and manufactured by Thales to ensure the highest level of precision, interoperability and reliability.
