Thales will provide an upgraded CBTC solution for the existing driverless 52km Red Line, which opened in 2009, and equip the 15km extension, which the Expolink consortium is designing and constructing. It will also supply integrated supervision, telecommunications, passengers’ services, security and fare collection systems. Thales says the solutions are designed to optimise energy consumption, enhance passenger flows and improve IT connectivity.

Work on the project began in September 2016 with Alstom responsible for electromechanical works and the supply of 50 Metropolis trains. The other consortium members, Acciona, Spain, and Gülermak, Turkey, are leading civil construction. The contract is worth €2.6bn and includes the construction of seven stations.

The extension is due to open in May 2020, five months before Expo 2020, which Dubai is hosting.