A high-level UK delegation  led by Gerald Howarth, Minister for International Security Strategy is at the Dubai Airshow to strengthen existing ties and build new industrial partnerships with companies in the UAE.

He is being accompanied by Air Chief Marshal Kevin Leeson, chief of Materiel Air in the UK Ministry of Defence, Richard Paniguian, head of the UK Trade & Investment Defence and Security Organisation, and Alan Malpas, regional director in UKTI DSO for the Gulf.

Some of the companies involved in the most cutting edge technology in the defence and security sectors are also visiting the air show as part of the delegation, said a UKTI statement.

The UK team is presenting its latest aviation security capability, which builds on UK technologies to deliver a significant advance in aviation security, it added 

Typhoon aircraft from the Royal Air Force are again taking to the skies over Dubai, returning after a successful display in 2009.

Howarth said the UAE was an important ally of the UK and had been an impressive host and participant in recent joint exercises.

'The presence of Royal Air Force Typhoons reflects the important relationship between the UK and the UAE a relationship we very much value,' he added.  

“We are here to encourage UK and Emirati companies to network and to identify areas of joint industrial and technological cooperation,' remarked Paniguian.

'The UK has a significant range of world class products across the air, land, maritime and security sectors and UK Industry is keen to establish enduring and mutually beneficial partnerships with the very capable industrial and technological base in the UAE.'

'The UK wishes to be a key partner in the Abu Dhabi vision for 2030,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service