The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) is gearing up to complete the installation of a cutting-edge radar system by May this year, covering the entire country to ensure comprehensive surveillance of both domestic and foreign aircraft. This strategic move aims to bolster airspace security, fulfill sovereignty commitments, and generate foreign currency.
A senior official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism (MoCAT) confirmed that the advanced radar will play a pivotal role in enhancing surveillance capabilities, safeguarding territorial waters, and securing the airspace. The ongoing efforts align with the government’s steadfast commitment to prioritizing national sovereignty.
The Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) division, a part of the country’s aviation apex body, has already initiated partial surveillance of the airspace over Dhaka and Chittagong using the new radar. The complete operationalization of the radar across the entire country is anticipated by May, according to the official.
CAAB highlights the outdated radar and navigation system at the airport, installed in 1980, which fails to track the entire airspace, particularly over the Bay of Bengal. The initiative to replace the old radar was initiated in 2005, gaining approval for implementation in 2013 under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The current project, ‘Installation of Radar with CNS-ATM (Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance-Air Traffic Management) System at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport,’ received government approval in April 2021 and is currently underway with CAAB’s own funding amounting to Tk730.13 crore.
CAAB is set to enforce fines on trespassing aircraft, with a minimum charge of $500 per infringement. The flying-over charge is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s revenue. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with France-based radar manufacturer Thales LAS ensures the confidentiality of data collected through the radar, safeguarding airspace security.
The existing analog radar, installed 37 years ago at Dhaka airport, falls short in detecting foreign aircraft flying over the maritime boundary awarded to Bangladesh in a 2012 ruling by the International Court of Arbitration. The upcoming radar system promises to overcome this limitation, providing comprehensive coverage for aircraft landing, taking off, and flying over the designated airspace.
