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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Libya unrest: UK 'undecided' on sending helicopters | Libya unrest: UK 'undecided' on sending helicopters |
| (1 day 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 on Tuesday: "My understanding is that the French have indeed take 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." |
| He insisted the use of helicopters would not represent an escalation of the Nato mission in Libya but only a "tactical shift" to improve the ability to strike moving targets more precisely. | He insisted the use of helicopters would not represent an escalation of the Nato mission in Libya but only a "tactical shift" to improve the ability to strike moving targets more precisely. |
| Later, US officials appeared to confirm an Apache deployment by the UK despite the government's denials. | Later, US officials appeared to confirm an Apache deployment by the UK despite the government's denials. |
| "This additional contribution by the British, of course, is an important effort to strengthen the capability of the coalition, and we certainly welcome it," a White House spokesman said. | "This additional contribution by the British, of course, is an important effort to strengthen the capability of the coalition, and we certainly welcome it," a White House spokesman said. |
| 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. | 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 helicopters' weapons can be used to deliberately target individuals such as snipers - even in built-up areas. | This is because the helicopters' weapons can be used to deliberately target individuals such as snipers - even in built-up areas. |
| However, experts say that although the helicopters are able to identity targets quickly, they are more vulnerable than the strike aircraft. | However, experts say that although the helicopters are able to identity targets quickly, they are more vulnerable than the strike aircraft. |
| 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. |