Attack Helos in Libya Mean Deadly Days Ahead – For Everyone

In a bid to break a weeks-long stalemate in Libya, France and the U.K. have simultaneously made a portentous decision. Both countries are deploying tank-busting attack helicopters from their respective amphibious ships, currently sailing off the Libyan coast.

“What we want is to better tailor our ability to strike on the ground with ways that allow more accurate hits,” said French diplomat Alain Juppe.

There are three British Army WAH-64D Apaches embarked on the assault ship HMS Ocean, with up to three more on the way. The choppers were recently re-certified for shipboard use, as a partial replacement for the Royal Navy’s recently-retired aircraft carrier and Harrier jump jets.

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