With the recent terrorist bombings in Africa and Omagh, security at Farnborough '98 will be as tight as ever.
Some 170 officers from the Military of Defence Police (MDP) will be on duty at this year's show and the main goal will be to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Central to this objective will be the MDP's Operational Support Unit (OSU) - a full-time level one police unit, highly trained in public order and crowd control.
There are currently 40 OSU officers on duty at Farnborough this year and all are firearms trained, with others educated in explosive search skills and surveillance.
The first OSU officers to arrive at Farnborough are the dog handlers and search teams who keep chalets and stalls secure from the moment construction work begins.
After recent American military strikes in Afghanistan, the MDP has been in discussions with US Embassy, defence and law enforcement officials on how to best police this year's event.
Chief Inspector Andy Kirkwood of the MDP comments: "In light of recent world events we have been liaising closely with US law enforcement agencies and Embassy officials on how to best reduce the possibility of terrorism.
The MDP has a vast knowledge of how to combat terrorist activities from its dealings with factions such as the IRA and we have very stringent guidelines that are implemented each year to reduce the threat.
Source: Flight Daily News
