'Our Solutions Will Help Connect Far-Flung Places To Hubs All Across India'

JAN WIDERSTROM, Chairman and MD, Saab India talks of their long commitment with India and how with UDAN and more airports coming up where their remote tower systems could work as a preferable solution for operation, the bond is meant to get stronger.

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Saab has been interested in Indian airports using its remote control tower systems. Now that the regional connectivity programme is underway, has Saab been able to create a demand for its remote control towers?

Saab and the Swedish Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), LFV, started the development of the Remote Tower concept in 2006. The Saab Remote Tower solution is in operational use at Örnsköldsvik airport since April 21, 2015, the first in the world, and another two Swedish airports have been added since then. Further international airports will become operational in the short term once deliveries have been completed, and the respective national regulators give their operational approval.

Saab is still the only company with a certified remote tower solution that is in operation at multiple airports. When regional connectivity and air transport expansion is such a priority for the Indian government, we see a big opportunity to help build a safer and more modern transport network with India.

Saab has received lot of interest in our Remote Tower systems and we have presented our solutions to all the relevant stakeholders. With the expansion of the UDAN (Udeh Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme and the addition of new airports connecting more remote areas, our solutions will help connect far-flung places to hubs all across India. The Remote Tower has several other important capabilities too. It can expand coverage at existing major airports or act as a ‘contingency tower’ for airports with existing facilities.