By IRNA,
London : Britain is sending two more Tornado ground attack jets to Afghanistan to provide “eyes in the sky” for deployed Nato troops.
The dispatch of additional aircraft was announced by Defence Secretary Liam Fox during a visit to Afghanistan. It followed a request by US General David Petraeus, commander of the Nato mission in Afghanistan, for more protection.
“Tornado GR4s provide essential air cover to our service personnel on the ground and leading the fight against deadly IEDs (improvised explosive devices) from the air,” Fox said.
“The intelligence these assets provide to coalition forces will enable commanders to have the eyes in the sky that they need to protect their troops and help increase security for local people,” he said before returning to the UK Thursday.
Britain already deployed eight Tornados based at Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan. The extra jets are to provide another 130 flying hours a month, the Ministry of Defence said.