Long-Rang L-Band Radar for Air Navigation at Doha FIR

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Supplied and installed by Thales, the L-band radar complies with state-of-the-art technology and latest national and international standards. According to the Ministry of Transport, it will be covering the Doha Flight Information Region (FIR) with a range of 250 nautical miles (about 400km), and it can detect aircraft from a height of 3000 to 65000 feet. The radar and systems are connected to the operations of the Qatar Air Traffic Control Center.

This came at an inauguration ceremony at the site of the radar, attended by French Ambassador to Qatar H.E. Jean-Baptiste Faivre, Thales Qatar CEO Fabrice de Bodard, and several officials from the MOT and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, after which Minister Al-Sulaiti visited the radar operation center and was briefed on its features and systems.

“As managing the Doha Flight Information Region has begun as well as the start of the State of Qatar’s full management of that the region, this radar constitutes a qualitative addition to the work of air navigation and an essential step in the field of developing the services it provides, and to enhance its previous achievements, and an affirmation of its continuous approach to making the future of the aviation industry in the State of Qatar more efficient and developed,” said H.E. Minister Al-Sulaiti.

Launching this radar today, he added, is building upon numerous achievements toward bringing the civil aviation sector to the best levels in terms of efficiency and accuracy and this is being done by developing work mechanisms, adopting modern technologies, and keeping pace with international standards, to enhance the status and presence of the State of Qatar on global aviation map, thus achieving the QNV2030.

In parallel and out of our faith in the national talent and competencies, some Qatari engineers from the Air Navigation Department were sent to French Thales for hands-on training in the operating mechanism of the radar, he noted.

Mr. Mohamed Faleh Alhajri, in charge of managing the QCAA, said launching this radar is supporting the progress of the current phase, complementing the development plans in place, and a new step toward a more efficient future for civil aviation.

The deployment of this radar comes as part of the measures taken by the QCAA to achieve the fundamental strategic objectives of the Doha FIR, to enhance air traffic control in Qatari airspace, and early detection of air traffic within the region.