France and the United Kingdom are set to deploy combat helicopters over Libya, the French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet announced on Monday.
The move marks a significant development in the situation in Libya. For two months NATO fighter jets have been enforcing a no-fly zone above Libya and have targeted Moammar Gadhafi’s ground troops with aerial strikes.
But the air support has proven insufficient to help Libyan rebel forces defeat Gadhafi’s troops.
The helicopters will be able to target smaller targets on the ground, but are also at a greater risk of being hit by missiles fired from the ground.
The helicopters are first expected to be deployed in the Eastern Libyan city of Misrata. Over the past months Misrata has seen heavy fighting between rebels and pro-Gadhafi forces.
The move marks a significant development in the situation in Libya. For two months NATO fighter jets have been enforcing a no-fly zone above Libya and have targeted Moammar Gadhafi’s ground troops with aerial strikes.
But the air support has proven insufficient to help Libyan rebel forces defeat Gadhafi’s troops.
The helicopters will be able to target smaller targets on the ground, but are also at a greater risk of being hit by missiles fired from the ground.
The helicopters are first expected to be deployed in the Eastern Libyan city of Misrata. Over the past months Misrata has seen heavy fighting between rebels and pro-Gadhafi forces.
