INTERIOR MINISTRY PRESENTS HELICOPTER FOR FIREFIGHTING, BORDER SURVEILLANCE

ZAGREB, May 20 (Hina) - A helicopter for border surveillance, search, rescue and firefighting operations, and detection of mine fields, was presented at Lucko airport outside Zagreb on Monday, ahead of the international military-firefighters exercise "Taming the Dragon Dalmatia 2002". #L# EC-120 B helicopter contains state-of-the-art equipment, including video cameras and equipment for the transfer of picture via video-link. The aircraft costs around two million euros and an hour-long flight costs around 800 euros. The helicopter will be used in the international military- firefighters operation "Taming the Dragon Dalmatia 2002", to be held in the area of Makarska in Split-Dalmatia County between 21 and 25 May. Those gathered at the presentation could also see the "night start" device for night landing, made in Croatia, which has been installed at 24 heliport along the Adriatic coast and islands and is used by the Croatian army. Today's event was organised by the Croatian company "Informatika sistemi" in cooperation with Slovene partners, who provided equipment for the helicopter. The presentation was hosted by the Interior Ministry. (hina) rml