DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian aviation authorities said Tuesday the country will be able to monitor its entire aviation airspace following the acquisition of four state-of-the-art surveillance radars worth 28 million U.S. dollars.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) signed an agreement in Dar es Salaam with France-based company Thales Air System (SAS) to install the four radars in four airports across the country in a period of 18 months.
At the moment, Tanzania is using an old aviation radar installed at the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) in Dar es Salaam in 2002, monitoring only 25 percent of its aviation airspace.
Hamza Johari, TCAA Director General, said the project was in line with improving the safety of the country's airspace.
"Safety of our skies is of paramount importance. With the four radars we will be able to monitor our entire airspace and beyond," said Johari.
Earlier this year, TCAA installed a very high frequency radio station in Tanga to oversee the airspace for the safety to airline operators.
Laurence Paul, Tanzania Air Operators Association (TAOA) Executive Secretary, commended the acquisition of the radars saying it would attract more airlines to use the country's airspace.
"The bold decision of purchasing four radars would make Tanzania the safest place and make people confidence with our airspace,"said Paul.
