The frontline RAF Tornado fighter squadron spearheading Britain’s air campaign against ISIL in Iraq will be maintained in service for an...
The frontline RAF Tornado fighter squadron spearheading Britain’s air campaign against ISIL in Iraq will be maintained in service for an additional year until March 2017.
In a visit to Baghdad, British Defense Secretary, Michael Fallon announced that 12 (Bomber) Squadron will continue to offer the essential precision firepower, intelligence and surveillance needed for the counter-ISIL international coalition to provide vital support to Iraqi ground forces.
With eight Tornados flying daily missions over Iraq the UK is playing a leading role in tackling ISIL. This announcement reaffirms Britain’s commitment to maintain the resilience of the attack, which has seen ISIL lose around 25% of the territory it once held.
The Tornado GR4 is equipped with world-class precision-guided Paveway bombs and Brimstone missiles the GR4s offer high precision attacks alongside low collateral damage. It can also be fitted with the RAPTOR reconnaissance pod which greatly increases the effectiveness of the aircraft in a surveillance role.
RAF Tornados have carried out hundreds of strikes, helping Iraqi forces push back ISIL from the Kurdish region and out of key towns such as Tikrit and Bayji.
