Swedish Air Force chief due in Dubai

Major General Andersson, who began his air force career in 1976 and has worked his way up the ranks from First Lieutenant to his current Chief of Staff position, will address the conference, which is being held under the patronage of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister.

"I am very happy and privilege to have been invited as a speaker to this important conference. In my speech I have been asked to focus on the Fourth Generation Fighter - Simulation and Training "said Major General Andersson.

The Middle East Air Chiefs Conference 2005 is being held at Dubai's Knowledge Village on November 19th and is entitled 'Modern Air Power: Strategy & Tactics."

Major General Andersson joins a top level line up of defense speakers including Major General Khaled Al-Bu Ainain, Commander of the UAE Air Force and Air Defence.

'Modern Air Power: Strategy & Tactics' is being organized by the leading industry publication Defense News in association with INEGMA.

The presence of the Swedish Air Force chief comes as Sweden steps up its profile at the Dubai air show which, for the first time, will see the Middle East appearance of the Swedish fighter Gripen.

"The Gripen version that will grace the skies over Dubai in the daily flying display will be the very latest model of this first new-generation fighter to enter service," said Major General Andersson.

The Swedish Air Force Chief Major General Andersson will during the week be available by appointment in the Saab stand.

At Dubai 2005, Fredrik Müchler, the test and display pilot from Saab AB will use a single-seat Gripen C or a dual-seat Gripen D - both of which are fully operational fighter aircraft to perform his world-renowned air display that has won acclaim at recent Farnborough and Paris air shows.

Saab participation at Dubai 2005 will go well beyond a stunning aerial display. It will also include a display of a selection of Saab's broad portfolio of products and services for land, air and sea, such as Command and Control, Training and Simulation and Missile systems.

Saab is one of the world's leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defense, aviation and space. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capabilities in systems integration.