It agreed to the dispatch of 24 Apache attack helicopters to neighbouring Albania, along with a contingent of 2, 000 support troops.

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More than 50 Apache attack helicopters, Black Hawks and Chinooks and a dozen Air Force planes joined 1, 500 troops on the ground north of Baghdad.

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And the modernisation plans comes as the UK is increasing its ability to deploy forces abroad, with six new roll-on, roll-off ferries, and the leasing of four giant C-17 cargo planes, leased from the Americans, which can carry Apache attack helicopters or Chinooks around the world.

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"We were able through Nato to stand up with command and control, we were able to get our assets moving very quickly, we were more than capable within the limitations we had to get our air power projected... to ensure that we had Typhoon and Tornado performing very effectively, of course very recently adding in our Apache attack helicopters, " he said.

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