The Government's defence review is considering merging the helicopter commands of the Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, the BBC has learned.

A key review committee agreed all three services' support and attack helicopters should be placed under a joint commander.

The recommendation is yet to come before Government ministers.

Under the plan, helicopters and personnel would retain their individual service identities but work as one force.

During operations, ultimate control would rest with the Army.

In the past, RAF helicopters have been kept solely as back up for the Army, the biggest user of helicopters.

But this arrangement has caused friction between the two services.

The opportunity to consider radical ideas as part of the review has led to the proposals of tri-service helicopters in a single force, commanded in turn by an officer from each service.

As most helicopters support the Army, the force would ultimately be under the operational control of a senior Army commander while allowing individual units to keep their single service identity.

Besides averting future antagonism between the Army and RAF, the plan appeals to the Ministry of Defence because it would forge co-operation between the services and save money.
 

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