The UK government has just given the go-ahead for specially trained under cover armed police officers to be placed onboard civil aircraft. This is a part of a range of security measures to prevent attacks by international terrorists.

In addition to the UK move, undercover armed guards are to be allowed on flights between Australia and Singapore after the two countries reached an agreement ahead of a conference on terrorist activities.

Australia is seeking similar agreements with both the United States and Indonesia.

Domestic flights in Australia have carried air marshals for several months in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11 in the US.