SINGAPORE - Singapore Technologies Electronics has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions (SDATS) to establish South East Asia's first Centre of Excellence (CoE) for airport digital towers in Singapore.

The CoE will provide a test-bed for best-in-class technologies, with the aim to drive the implementation of digital towers in the region.

The digital tower provides a smarter approach to air traffic control, allowing operations to be remotely controlled from an operations centre, instead of a physical tower, said ST Electronics. Airport operations will benefit from enhanced safety levels, greater situational awareness for air traffic controllers, improved coverage of the airport surface movement area, as well as substantial cost savings, it added.

The MOU was signed by Mr Low Jin Phang, executive vice president and general manager of ST Electronics (Info-Software Systems), and Mr Lars Rönnqvist, Saab country manager Singapore on behalf of SDATS.

"This is an exciting opportunity as we synergise our efforts with the industry to offer leading-edge technology that will transform the airports of tomorrow," said Mr Low.

"With the increasing number of airports in the South East Asia region now, it is crucial to deliver smart solutions that can meet the growing expectations of customers and enhancing their flight journeys."

SDATS launched the world's first operational and approved digital tower in 2015, with systems are currently being offered and installed around the globe.

SDATS is a joint venture between Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab and the Swedish Air Navigation Service Provider, LFV, which was set up in 2016.