The Apache helicopter is prized by troops because of its hardiness and versatility The prime minister has asked for more information before agreeing to deploy Apache attack helicopters in Libya.
David Cameron’s request follows a meeting of the National Security Council in Downing Street on Thursday.
Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir David Richards said, if agreed, the Apaches would be part of “ratcheting up” the pressure on Colonel Gaddafi.
The BBC’s Nick Robinson understands the prime minister is considering military assessments of the risks involved.
The military is assessing the risk of deploying helicopters, which make easier targets than high-flying jets, in a country which has thousands of surface-to-air missiles.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said: “The helicopters and their pilots are currently on exercise in the Mediterranean.
“Their military value is that they will allow swifter attacks on smaller targets in urban areas than are currently possible using jets alone.”
The French government has already said that it will be deploying French Tiger attack helicopters.
Mr Cameron made the request for more information while he was en route to the G8 Summit in France.
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