This is part of Sweden's latest support package that can help reopen Ukrainian airspace, says Minister of Civil Defense Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M).
A large part of Ukraine's air traffic control towers have been bombed or damaged by Russian attacks during the war.
Sweden is now donating a mobile air traffic control tower worth 78 million kronor, which is being delivered by Saab. The system is in demand by the war-torn country, says Minister of Infrastructure Andreas Carlson (KD).
May take two years
It has been at the top of the list for Ukraine's Minister of Infrastructure and it fits well into the reconstruction of aviation. An air traffic control tower normally takes two years to build. With mobile air traffic control towers, it can take 24 hours instead, he says.
The air traffic control tower consists of two containers that can be transported by truck, train, ship or transport plane.
One container contains a deployable camera tower that can be raised to a height of 28 meters. The other contains a protected control center where air traffic controllers direct traffic using cameras, sensors and communication systems.
The air traffic controllers are not located in the tower itself but operate remotely, and the cameras provide a complete overview of the airport and its surroundings. The support package also includes training for the staff.
“Have wind in your sails”
Sweden has great expertise in the area, according to Andreas Carlson. Remote air traffic control is already in place for both Malmö and Kiruna airports, which are controlled from a control center at Arlanda.
Carl-Oskar Bohlin is optimistic about the situation in the war in Ukraine. The Ukrainians have recently managed to put a lot of pressure on Russia, he says.
Ukraine is currently on the upswing, but we should not take anything for granted. Sweden will continue to support Ukraine for as long as necessary.
