The UK Government is considering a plan to accelerate an order for Chinook transport helicopters to be deployed in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence intends to purchase up to 20 more Chinooks from Boeing over the next five to ten years, according to the BBC.

A number of those would then be fast-tracked to make them available within a year or two.

In 2009, two Chinooks were destroyed, but are expected to be replaced after the treasury approves funds.

At present, up to ten UK Chinooks are operating in Helmand, Afghanistan and will be joined by Merlins in the near future.