Harris Corporation Awarded Rs 944 Crore ($141 Million) Contract to Modernize India’s Air Traffic Management Communications Infrastructure

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS) has been selected to modernize India’s air traffic management communications infrastructure and support one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets – which is expected to double in size over the next 10 years. The announcement was made during a contract signing held at the 6th U.S.-India Aviation Summit, May 9-11, at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai. 

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which owns and maintains 129 airports, awarded Harris a 15-year, Rs 944 Crore ($141 million) contract to serve as the prime contractor and systems integrator for AAI’s Futuristic Telecommunications Infrastructure initiative. The initiative will upgrade network operations, enhance security, and improve the performance, reliability and quality of India’s air traffic management (ATM) network, while reducing telecommunications costs.

India’s domestic civil aviation market has experienced an 18 percent increase in passenger traffic in the past year, according to the International Air Transport Association. The region handles more than 190 million passengers, which is expected to double to 337 million domestic and 84 million international passengers over the next decade.

“India’s exponential air traffic growth is creating demand for new aircraft, air navigation technologies, airport security equipment and infrastructure,” said Dr. Guruprasad Mohapatra, AAI Chairman. “The Futuristic Telecommunications Infrastructure provides a dedicated nationwide network to support air traffic management operations, with an emphasis on safety and high reliability and the ability to expand for growth.”   

Harris will leverage its extensive expertise from creating and managing the highly successful Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) managed services network, which securely connects more than 4,400 national and international FAA and Department of Defense facilities, and enables the FAA to achieve its mission for safe and efficient air travel of more than 87,000 aircraft each day.

“The new secure, purpose-built network will meet the demands of India’s rapid aviation growth and lay the foundation for future ATM opportunities for Harris in other geographies with high air traffic growth,” said Rick Simonian, vice president and general manager, Mission Networks, Harris Electronic Systems. “AAI’s selection of our FAA-proven managed network services model allows the agency to benefit from the most current telecommunications technology, enhanced safety and efficiency, and reduced operational costs.”