Czech company ELDIS Pardubice has installed the first new sets of RPL-2000 radars at Pardubice Military Airport for the Czech Air Force.

The new RPL-2000 radars have a range of up to 50km and will serve as the replacement for the existing Tesla equipment at the airport.

Czech Defence Minister Martin Stropnicky said: “Our ministry signed the contract with ELDIS for the delivery of four sets of RPL-2000 radars in September 2016.”

The airport radar sets include a primary surveillance radar, secondary radar, and a precision approach landing radar.

Speaking during a media interview, Czech deputy airforce commander brigadier general Petr Hromek said: “The airforce has acquired this up-to-date equipment which fully complies with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and EUROCONTROL.

“It will greatly augment air traffic safety and enhance combat capability. The radars will also provide and significantly improve the simultaneous exchange of information concerning the different tasks and operations of other aircraft crew and air units.”

The new RPL-2000 radars will undergo a six-month-long assessment to ensure its operability. It will also be tested to check its reliability after link-up to the Czech civilian air traffic management systems.

According to Pardubice Airport Administration commander lieutenant colonel Ivo Stastny, the link-up is expected to improve civilian air traffic safety and result in offering greater access to Czech airspace for other air traffic.

The remaining radar sets will be delivered before November 2018 and will be installed at Prague-Kbely, Caslav, and Namest military airports in the country.