French transports systems giant Thales opened a $10 million regional integration centre in Singapore on Wednesday.

The centre will focus on researching and developing integrated rail signalling and control and communications systems. Thales Solutions Asia chief executive Jean-Noel Stock said this facility will also allow his firm to customise and tailor the systems to the specific requirements of rail operators.

In Singapore, Thales is currently working with the Land Transport Authority and SMRT to upgrade the signalling system on the North-South and East-West Lines for $195 million. Those projects will be completed in phases from 2016 to 2018, and reduce the frequency between trains from 120 seconds to 100 seconds. Thales will also supply the signalling system for the upcoming Tuas West Extension.

Speaking at the event, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said he looked forward to the timely completion of the resignalling projects. He added: "I hope that the work of the centre will be able to further improve the performance of our rail systems and add even greater value to our rail projects."