South Korea and the US will increase the role of Apache heavy attack helicopters in efforts to foil a maritime invasion by North Korea's special forces, lawmakers here said Thursday.

The US Forces Korea's AH-64D Apache choppers are joining the Maritime Counter Special Operations exercise underway in the Yellow Sea, according the members of the National Assembly's defense committee.


They were briefed on some naval operation plans by the Navy during an annual audit at the Gyeryongdae military compound, some 160km south of Seoul.

The allies have agreed to regularize the participation of the 2nd Infantry Division's Apache choppers in the drills amid growing concerns about a provocation by the North's special forces near the Northern Limit Line, especially in the western sea.

It would mean the use of the Army assets for naval operations for synergy.

The 2nd Infantry Division's aviation brigade has two Apache battalions, including a rotational one deployed here since early this year. It operates 48 AH-64D Apache Longbows copters.

The South's Army also recently created two Apache battalions with AH-64E Apache choppers, although they have yet to be put in full operation. (Yonhap)