PARIS – Thales has won a contract to modernize Mongolia’s air traffic management infrastructure, the French aerospace giant announced Monday.

Under the deal with the National Civil Aviation Center of Mongolia, Thales will deploy a next-generation dual Area Control Center architecture, upgrading the existing ACC in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and establishing a new ACC in the Gobi desert town of Sainshand.

The company said the project will significantly enhance operational resilience, airspace capacity and cybersecurity of critical infrastructure.

While no financial details were disclosed, Thales said the project is backed by a “flexible financing solution” established between Bpi France and the Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia.

The agreement also includes skills transfer, with Ecole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile sending instructors to train Mongolian air traffic controllers.

“This agreement represents a major milestone for Mongolia’s aviation sector and stands as a strong example of strategic international cooperation delivering tangible and lasting impact,” Thales said.

Mongolia, a landlocked nation of just 3.5 million people, has been investing heavily in its aviation sector to support its goal of becoming a major tourism hub.

A leader in aerospace, defense and cybersecurity sectors, Paris-based Thales employs more than 85,000 people in 65 countries. It reported sales of €22.1 billion ($25.2 billion) last year.

The country has three airlines — MIAT Mongolian Airlines, Hunnu Air and Aero Mongolia.

The aviation sector employs some 7,000 people, generating direct economic benefit worth just under US$500 million annually, or roughly 2.5% of the national GDP.

Images are courtesy of Thales.