Eurocopter Southern Africa (Esal) reported on Friday that, for it, this year's Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) show, which is taking place at Air Force Base Waterkloof, south of Pretoria, has had a strong law-enforcement focus.

"For us, law enforcement is the active market in the region," explained Esal CEO Fabrice Cagnat.

On Thursday, the company delivered an EC145 helicopter to the Namibian Police – the third Eurocopter machine supplied to the Namibian Police, but the first EC145.

The other two Eurocopters operated by the Namibian Police are AS350B3 Squirrels – the Namibian Police fleet is 100% Eurocopter.

In addition, the Botswana Police, whose helicopter fleet is also made up entirely of Eurocopter machines (being composed of three AS350B3 Squirrels), has contracted Esal to convert all of its helicopters so that their pilots can fly them at night, using night vision goggles.

Eurocopter Squirrels also serve with the South African Police Service and the Angolan Police.

"We've been pleased with the level of the delegations we've received at AAD," said Cagnat.

"We also had delegations from outside the region. Fortunately, we had a strong contingent from our mother company – about ten people – because Eurocopter knows the importance of AAD, which is believed to be the biggest such show in Africa."