Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which have proven their combat worth in Iraq and Afghanistan, are expected to gain keen interest at Asian Aerospace 2004 because of their potential roles in fighting terrorism, piracy and human smuggling, organisers and defence analysts said.

With their unique surveillance capabilities, industry estimates put the UAV market at up to 10 billion dollars over the next decade.

The world's biggest makers of fighter planes from Europe and the United States are also coming in full force, with interest stoked by Singapore's pending decision to choose a replacement for its current combat fleet.

Singapore, which has one of Asia's most modern armed forces, has shortlisted France's Rafale, Boeing's F-15 Eagle and the Eurofighter's Typhoon for the 20-aircraft deal estimated at more than one billion dollars.

Commercial aircraft makers Boeing of the United States and the European consortium Airbus are also showcasing their latest products and their top bosses are in town for side meetings that could lead to mega-buck deals.

These companies are in a race to meet the growing needs of Asia's emerging budget airline sector, as well as the expansion and upgrading needs of premium carriers.

Singapore Airlines, Australia's Qantas, Malaysian Airlines and Korean Airlines are already among the first buyers of the Airbus A380 jumbo jet, the world's biggest commercial aircraft set to roll out on 2006.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airlines are tipped to be among those interested in Boeing's 7E7 Dreamliner, a fuel-efficient 250-seat aircraft that can fly non-stop for over 14,400 kilometres (9,000 miles).

Event organisers say they hope to surpass the 3.2 billion dollars worth of deals reached during the 2002 show.

"Asian Aerospace is the platform for the international aerospace community to explore strategic alliances and opportunities," said Ed Ng, president of event organisers Asian Aerospace Pte. Ltd.

On the military side, Boeing's F-15E Strike Eagle and the Ah-64D Apache Longbow helicopter will perform daily aerial flights, while two F-15Es will be on static display.

The Rafale, Mirage and other combat jets from Australia, Brazil and India will join the aerial show, while a mock-up of the Typhoon will be on display, organisers said.

Andrew Tan, a security analyst at the Singapore-based Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, told AFP Asia had become a vital market for defence equipment and technology.

He said Asian countries had been beefing up military capabilities following the downgrading of the US presence in the region, highlighted by the closure of Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines in 1992.

Tan said moves by Asian countries to maintain air superiority and a military advantage over their neighbours had fuelled a regional arms race.

"So for a range of weapons systems, Asia has over the past 10-15 years become perhaps the most important arms market in the world," Tan said.

Malaysia and China have been partial to the Russian-made Sukhoi fighter, South Korea has selected the US-made F-15 Eagle and Myanmar has bought some Russian MiG-29s.

Singapore is expected to make known its choice early next year.

Industry estimates show more than 4,300 fighter planes worth over 170 billion dollars are expected to be delivered globally in the next 10 years.

In events being held to coincide with Asian Aerospace, the defence ministers of Australia and the Philippines will attend a forum on the security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region that begins Sunday evening.

The International Air Transport Association will host a seminar and players in the air cargo industry will address the changing demands for airfreight in Asia in another linked conference.

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