NAV CANADA is teaming up with Gatineau's SolaCom Technologies and a U.K. company for a $50-million upgrade of the VHF radios used by airports across the country.

The civil air navigation services provider said it would be conducting the upgrade of the radios used by air traffic controllers and flight service specialists to provide information, advice and instruction to pilots who fly in Canada's skies.

NAV CANADA, which owns and operates Canada's air navigation system, will be replacing the radios over eight years, in partnership with U.K.-based Park Air Systems Ltd. and SolaCom, whose communication tools enable interoperability over any network infrastructure in air traffic control.

"Voice communication by trained professionals is one of the key elements in the safe and efficient movement of aircraft," said NAV CANADA chief executive John Crichton in a statement. "This investment will support the continuous exchange of information between NAV CANADA people and our customers, using what is known as the air-ground-air infrastructure."

The project will begin with the replacement of 115 pairs of radios at Calgary Airport, the Toronto Area Control Centre and the Toronto Air Traffic Control Tower at Lester B. Pearson International Airport.

NAV CANADA said more than 2000 aging Garrett VHF radios at 320 sites across the country will be replaced with new technology provided by SolaCom and Park Air.

The upgrade is part of an approximately $100-million investment in new technology, systems and facilities over NAV CANADA's current fiscal year, which ends Aug. 31.