Focus remains on security applications at helishow

Dubai Helishow 2012, the premier civil and military helicopter technology and operations exhibition in the Middle East held under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, saw sustained interest and activity focusing on issues of military, homeland security and civil defence in its second day. Economic development and the need to safeguard key economic and strategic zones has resulted in increased awareness of the need to invest in helicopters for homeland security and military solutions, leading to greater presence by military representatives at the 2012 event. The Helishow and supporting conference’s second day saw attendance from representatives of the UAE Navy, UAE Air Force, Abu Dhabi Air Wing, Royal Bahrain Air Force, UK Royal Navy and the Libyan Air Force. The second day of the Dubai Helishow saw live demonstrations from Apaches and Blackhawks from the Presidential Guard, as well as a search and rescue Agusta Westland 139. The flights were coordinated by Aerogulf, the offshore helicopter oil support expert facilitating logistical planning at the Helishow 2012. The Helishow is offering a concurrent conference programme, run by conference partner Tangent Link. The second day conference, led by Conference Chairman Rear Admiral Terry Loughran, focused on Heli-Borne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, a capability essential for any nation determined to exercise sovereignty over its borders and economic zones and guard against the destabilising effects of piracy, insurgency, drugs, arms, people trafficking and acts of terrorism. The conference looked at ways emergent technology such as helicopters and unmanned aerial systems were making affordable solutions to safeguard territory and sovereignty possible. The second day conference event followed on from Tangent Link’s hugely successful High-Rise Firefighting and Rescue Conference on Day One, which discussed issues of fire hazards and rescue in high-rise megalopolises such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “Statistics show that more than 70 per cent of global fires are in cities, with only 30 per cent in forests,” said Dimitri Zuikov of conference sponsors Russian helicopters. From : Khalij