The British Army is delaying plans to fit its WAH-64 Apache attack helicopters with air-to-air missiles for two years. The Army wanted the missiles immediately, but the government is not convinced that the helicopters need air-to-air missiles and is concerned over the potential cost. The delay will mean that the missiles, if ever deployed, would not reach operational units until 2005. Several other expensive upgrades for the British Apache force are under consideration, including new secure communications, an active infrared jamming system, and a proposed upgrade to the electro-optical sensors. --Stephen V Cole