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Libya unrest: UK 'undecided' on sending helicopters | Libya unrest: UK 'undecided' on sending helicopters |
(about 6 hours later) | |
No decision has been made on whether to deploy UK Apache helicopters to Libya, the government has said, contradicting claims by a French minister. | No decision has been made on whether to deploy UK Apache helicopters to Libya, the government has said, contradicting claims by a French minister. |
French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet said on Monday that Britain would follow France in using attack helicopters against Col Gaddafi. | French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet said on Monday that Britain would follow France in using attack helicopters against Col Gaddafi. |
But UK defence minister Nick Harvey contradicted Mr Longuet's claim. | But UK defence minister Nick Harvey contradicted Mr Longuet's claim. |
His clarification came after Labour tabled an urgent question about the reported "escalation" of the mission. | His clarification came after Labour tabled an urgent question about the reported "escalation" of the mission. |
Mr Longuet told reporters at an EU meeting on Monday: "The British, who have assets similar to ours, will also commit. The sooner the better is what the British think." | Mr Longuet told reporters at an EU meeting on Monday: "The British, who have assets similar to ours, will also commit. The sooner the better is what the British think." |
But Mr Harvey told the Commons: "My understanding is that the French have indeed taken a decision to deploy their attack helicopters in Libya. | But Mr Harvey told the Commons: "My understanding is that the French have indeed taken a decision to deploy their attack helicopters in Libya. |
"I state again for the avoidance of all doubt: no such decision has been taken by the United Kingdom. | "I state again for the avoidance of all doubt: no such decision has been taken by the United Kingdom. |
'Tactical shift' | 'Tactical shift' |
"It is an option we are considering and there is absolutely no sense in which it is true to say that we have kept Parliament in the dark about a decision." | "It is an option we are considering and there is absolutely no sense in which it is true to say that we have kept Parliament in the dark about a decision." |
The use of helicopters would not represent an escalation of the mission, he insisted, but only a "tactical shift" to improve the ability to strike moving targets more precisely. | The use of helicopters would not represent an escalation of the mission, he insisted, but only a "tactical shift" to improve the ability to strike moving targets more precisely. |
However BBC defence correspondent Caroline Wyatt said some military sources do regard the use of French attack helicopters - and perhaps UK Apache attack helicopters at a future stage - as an escalation of the campaign, and an extremely potent and effective weapon. | |
Our correspondent said military commanders say Apaches have proved their worth in Afghanistan against insurgents, who fear the arrival of the helicopters as much as - if not more - than fast jets. | Our correspondent said military commanders say Apaches have proved their worth in Afghanistan against insurgents, who fear the arrival of the helicopters as much as - if not more - than fast jets. |
This is because the helicopter's weapons can be used to deliberately target individuals such as snipers - even in built-up areas. | This is because the helicopter's weapons can be used to deliberately target individuals such as snipers - even in built-up areas. |
One Nato source told the BBC that while Nato had not pressed the French to offer attack helicopters, the alliance was delighted that they were being sent, as they marked a "significant stepping up" of capabilities in Libya. | One Nato source told the BBC that while Nato had not pressed the French to offer attack helicopters, the alliance was delighted that they were being sent, as they marked a "significant stepping up" of capabilities in Libya. |
If used, the UK's Apache attack helicopters could deploy from HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy's largest warship, our correspondent added. | If used, the UK's Apache attack helicopters could deploy from HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy's largest warship, our correspondent added. |
Experts say although the helicopters are able to identity targets quickly, they are more vulnerable than the strike aircraft. | Experts say although the helicopters are able to identity targets quickly, they are more vulnerable than the strike aircraft. |
Nato jets have been targeting Col Gaddafi's military infrastructure, but have been unable to stop the fighting on the ground. | Nato jets have been targeting Col Gaddafi's military infrastructure, but have been unable to stop the fighting on the ground. |
Late on Monday, several massive explosions were heard in the capital, Tripoli, including close to Col Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound. | Late on Monday, several massive explosions were heard in the capital, Tripoli, including close to Col Gaddafi's Bab al-Aziziya compound. |