The Defense Agency is considering dispatching UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters of the Ground Self-Defense Force to Iraq, agency sources said Monday.

They said the multipurpose aircraft, each with a capacity of 15 people, could be used for medevac missions or to transport senior officials around the southeastern Iraqi city of Samawah, where a contingent of 500 GSDF troops is expected to be deployed to help rebuild the occupied country.

The helicopters would probably be sent after the core units are expected to arrive in April, the sources said.

A GSDF advance unit left Tokyo on Friday to head for Samawah via Kuwait in preparation for the mission to provide water supply and other types of humanitarian assistance. The unit will be Japan's first dispatch of troops since World War II to a country with ongoing fighting.

The GSDF plans to use land transport between the closest airport to Samawah and the GSDF camp there.

But the GSDF found it would be extremely efficient to use helicopters that can take off and land near the camp for the transport of wounded and senior officials, based on discussions with the Dutch forces stationed in Samawah and other authorities, the sources said.

After an official decision is made, the GSDF will customize the helicopters for desert conditions, and install bulletproof armor and equipment for evading surface-to-air missiles. Troops will also be trained to fly the helicopters in a desert environment.

The use of GSDF helicopters was not included in the implementation plan issued by the agency on the Self-Defense Forces dispatch to Iraq.