The government authorises enaire to invest 24 million euros to upgrade five radars with three-dimensional technology

This Tuesday, the Council of Ministers authorised the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, through ENAIRE, to enter into a supply contract to renew five primary radars with three-dimensional technology, with an estimated value of €24,048,300. 

This initiative is part of the gradual renewal of ENAIRE’s primary radars, in line with its strategic technological modernisation plan 

The contract approved for tendering will allow ENAIRE, Spain’s air navigation service provider, to carry out upgrades of its primary radar network at stations in Barcelona, Málaga, Palma and Seville, as well as in Espiñeiras (A Coruña), where the installation of a new radar is also included. 

This initiative is part of the progressive renewal of ENAIRE’s primary radars, in line with its strategic plan for technological modernisation. in this way, it continues to improve its air surveillance capabilities by upgrading its air navigation radar systems. This evolution addresses the growing need to gradually reduce the minimum separation between aircraft, which requires  enhanced technological performance in terms of reliability, accuracy, and robustness. 

Primary radars are essential to provide reduced separation in the high-density terminal areas of Spanish airports. These radars also provide an added layer of safety in the provision of air traffic surveillance services by making it possible to identify aircraft if other systems should fail, or in military environments. 

The new three-dimensional primary radars not only incorporate the aforementioned 3D identification capability, but also include significant improvements in how received signals are processed and presented to the controller. These upgrades enhance the integrity of the displayed information and reduce false target detections. 

Actions planned 

The primary radar at the Espiñeiras station (A Coruña), in service since june 2006, has reached the end of its operational life. Its upcoming replacement forms part of the second phase of the nationwide primary radar renewal plan that ENAIRE is implementing, as covered by the authorised contract. 

The current configuration of Espiñeiras, with coverage of up to 60 nautical miles (some 110 km), makes it possible to provide primary radar surveillance within the Central-Northern region, specifically its north-western area. The data from this radar is used at ENAIRE’s Air Traffic Control Centre in Madrid and at the Terminal Area Control Centre in Santiago de Compostela, playing a particularly important role in aerodrome control at the control towers of A Coruña, Santiago – Rosalía de Castro, and Vigo airports. 

In addition to this upgrade, the project includes the acquisition of new primary radars to replace those that have exceeded their operational lifespan, like the ones in El Judío (Seville), Palma (Mallorca) and Málaga, as well as the installation of a new radar in Barcelona. 

Through these measures, ENAIRE reaffirms its commitment to air traffic safety and to modernising the technological infrastructure required to meet the current and future challenges of air traffic management. 

ENAIRE radar station in A Coruña.

About ENAIRE 

ENAIRE is the air navigation service provider in Spain. 

As a company of the Ministry of Sustainable Transport and Mobility, it provides air traffic control services during the en route and approach phases of all flights to and from Spain and overflights. In addition, it manages communications, navigation and surveillance services from ENAIRE in the airspace and the entire AENA airport network in Spain and provides aerodrome air traffic control services in 21 airports, including the busiest. 

ENAIRE is the fourth largest European air navigation service provider, and it is a member of international partnerships A6 Alliance, SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and collaborates closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). 

ENAIRE has received the highest score in Europe on the aviation safety key performance indicator for four years in a row. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.