The Sumitomo/Thales Joint Venture has signed a contract worth nine billion yen (approximately €80 M) with the Philippines’ Department of Transportation & Communications (DoTC) for the nationwide modernization of the Philippines Communications, Navigation Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) facilities and systems.

Thales will deploy its latest generation Eurocat ATM system nationwide, together with an integrated Digital Voice Control System (VSCS), Aeronautical Information System (AIS), Automated Message Handling System (AMHS), ATN Router, GNSS monitoring and metrological systems. In addition, a completely new ATC operations center will be constructed under the contract, housing the new systems and consolidating the current Manila Area and Approach Control Centers into one facility.

As a result of this contract the Philippines has become one of many Asia Pacific countries including China, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, Australia and Thailand that have selected Thales’s Eurocat technology to enhance the safety and security of their airspace.

Marie-Laure Bourgeois, Thales VP South and South-East Asia, commented, “Thales is delighted to have been selected for this contract, which was awarded after a particularly thorough and transparent evaluation phase. The new system improvements translate into benefits in terms of safety, capacity and efficiency – benefits which are key to supporting future traffic across the entire region. This achievement reinforces the trust our customers have in our technology and engineering services, while once again demonstrating our commitment to the Asia Pacific region.”

Ping De Jesus, DoTC Secretary, added, "This world class ATM system contract represents a great step for the Republic of Philippines to regain its central role in aviation in Asia, change the regional dynamic and boost the country as an international destination."