An anonymous defence source has suggested South Korea will deploy Apache gunships to Baengnyeong Island

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency has reported that the country is considering the deployment of Apache gunships to Baengnyeong Island.  A hangar is currently under construction in preparation for the arrival of the helicopters.

Yonhap quotes an anonymous defence source who claims the deployment is intended to counter the possibility of a seaborne attack by DPRK commandos.  The North’s construction of a larger-than-expected naval base in Hwanghae Province has prompted these concerns. The base, situated a mere 50 kilometres from Baengnyeong Island, is thought to be capable of supporting around 60 hovercraft.

The helicopter hangar currently under construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year and will be ready to accommodate the gunships which are expected to be delivered in 2012.  South Korea is expected to purchase thirty-six Apaches in October 2012.

This move comes in the wake of the North’s shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in November 2010.  It seems that South Korea is making sure that Baengnyeong Island, located to the west of Yeonpyeong, has some teeth in case the North decides to push its luck again.