NATO has used attack helicopters for the first time in its airstrike campaign against Libya on Saturday, striking military vehicles, military equipment and Libyan government forces, the alliance said.

"Attack helicopters under NATO command were used for the first time on 4 June 2011 in military operations over Libya as part of Operation Unified Protector," NATO said in a statement.

"The targets struck included military vehicles, military equipment and fielded forces," it said.

"This successful engagement demonstrates the unique capabilities brought to bear by attack helicopters," said Lieutenant-General Charles Bouchard, commander of NATO's mission in Libya.

"We will continue to use these assets whenever and wherever needed, using the same precision as we do in all of our missions," he said.

British Ministry of Defence has confirmed in a statement that British Apache helicopters took part in "coordinated operations over Libya as part of NATO's Operation Unified Protector ... All of the aircraft recovered safely to HMS Ocean."

Britain and France said last month that they would offer attack helicopters for the NATO mission in Libya to step up military strikes on pro-Gaddafi forces.