The leading global industry publication Defense News is to stage the second in the Middle East Air Chiefs Conference series in November this year to launch the official programme for Dubai 2005, the ninth international aerospace exhibition.
The conference, the signature event of Dubai 2005, will be held on November 19 at Knowledge Village in Dubai and is entitled ‘Modern Air Power: Strategy & Tactics.’
HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, is scheduled to make the keynote speech while the welcome address will be delivered by Major General Khaled Al Al-Bu Ainain, Commander of the UAE Air Force.
Split into three sessions, the conference will focus firstly on the US view of C4ISR and evolution of air power strategy as well as network centric operations – the future trend capabilities. The second session will be devoted to the needs and challenges of modern air power, missile defence against modern ballistic missiles and air-land combined operations in modern warfare. The third and final session will look at balancing the priorities between standoff weapons and precision, the role and expectations of tanker aircraft in modern airpower and UAV – building real-time solution awareness.
The inaugural conference was attended by commanders-in-chief and senior members of air staffs from the UAE, Australia, Canada, France, the UK and the US as well as USAF General Charles Horner – the Desert Storm Commander who headed up the multi-national air operations for the liberation of Kuwait in 1991.
The conference will be moderated by Riad Kahwaji, Defense News Middle East Bureau Chief and Vago Muradian, Defense News Editor.
The inaugural Middle East Air Chief’s Conference in 2003 was an overwhelming success and Dubai air show organisers Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E) believe this year’s event will follow suite.
“The official engagement, support and sponsorship of the UAE Air Force and Air Defense Command make the conference a event of truly global significance,” said Clive Richardson, Chief Executive, Aerospace Division, F&E.
“The conference also ensure the high profile audience is then available to attend the air show – delivering a powerful presence to the VIP visitor profile.”
Dubai 2005 will be held at Airport Expo Dubai from November 20-24. The show is set to be the biggest in the event’s history with a third hall – Central Hall – being constructed at Airport Expo to meet increased space demand.
Dubai 2005 is organised by F&E in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in co-operation with the UAE Armed Forces.
