In its first transportation project in Vietnam, Thales has signed a contract to provide a complete telecommunications system for Line 3 of the Hanoi metro.

The line is the first of five lines planned for the Vietnamese capital.

A French consortium including Alstom (leader), Colas Rail and Thales signed the contract, valued at €265 million, with Hanoi’s Metropolitan Railway Management Board.

Hanoi currently has 7.5 million inhabitants and its population is expected to grow to eight million by 2020.

With continuing urbanisation and a dramatic increase in road traffic (cars and motorcycle taxis), the city’s metro project plays a crucial role in relieving congestion and improving road safety and public health.

Under the urban transport master plan adopted by the city several years ago, five metro lines are due to be built by 2030.

Line 3 will run from the west of the city to the south.

The 12.5 kilometre line, of which 8.5 kilometres will be elevated and four underground, will comprise 12 stations and is scheduled to enter service at the end of 2021.

Under the contract, consortium leader Alstom will supply rolling stock, signalling systems, power systems and depot infrastructure in partnership with Colas Rail.

Thales will provide all the train to track communication systems, as well as a line command and control centre for traffic management, energy distribution, video surveillance, passenger information and telephone services.

“Thales is delighted to be taking part in this major project, which will significantly improve daily mobility opportunities for Hanoi’s citizens, reduce congestion and improve the city’s environmental performance.

“To serve the urban transport market, Thales combines proven expertise in telecommunications and command and control systems with the capabilities of rolling stock manufacturers to provide operators or city authorities with the turnkey solutions they require to run environmentally responsible public transport systems,” Massimo Marinzi, Thales country director for Vietnam.

The Thales Group has operated in Vietnam since the early 1990s, and supplied air traffic control centres and radars to the country.

Its in-flight entertainment systems have also been selected by Vietnam Airlines.