The Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) entered a two million euro deal with the global aerospace giant Leonardo to secure spare parts and maintenance services for its ageing radar system. The decision comes after numerous attempts to replace the existing system fell through due to prohibitive costs.

Despite the cost, radar technology significantly enhanced the safety and efficiency of modern aviation and enabled improved information-sharing capabilities, even between aircraft. Aviation authorities hope the recent deal with Leonardo will support Ethiopia’s aviation sector. Modernizing the radar system is no small feat.

Leonardo, the eighth-largest aerospace company globally and one of Europe’s prominent defence contractors, has a third of its shares owned by the Italian government. The company installed the original radar system 13 years ago, with the radar and automatic dependent surveillance system (ADS-B) costing 10 million dollars at the time. The system helped to reduce landing times at Bole International Airport by half an hour.

An average of 250 daily flights operated by 24 airlines use Bole International Airport, also serving as a hub for the Ethiopian Airlines Group, with over 145 planes under its fleet.

“This was an important deal,” Endale Kidane, the communications director, told Fortune.

Over the years, the Authority has tried to attract potential bidders to supply parts for the aeronautical message handling system (AMHS) as well as communications and navigation surveillance (Radar & ADS-B). Air navigation radar systems from most aerospace suppliers are priced upwards of 10 million dollars, compelling officials of the Authority to search for an alternative, according to Endale.

After discussions with suppliers and within the Authority, it was concluded that purchasing the parts and maintenance was the most suitable approach, Mengistu Nigussie, deputy director, told Parliament two months ago. He highlighted the issues caused by the old radar system, which surveils a specific part of the airspace from Bole International Airport.

Radars are pivotal in the aviation industry, ensuring aircraft location within a defined radius and sequencing arrivals. The Minister of Transport & Logistics, Alemu Sime (PhD), emphasized the necessity of purchasing a new radar system or initiating targeted maintenance operations.