Weaponry at the British military’s disposal if strikes against Syria go ahead

In the wake of an alleged gas attack on Douma, a rebel-held town near the Syrian capital, Damascus, there is mounting anticipation that retaliatory military action could be waged against Bashar Assad’s government – which denies the use of chemical weapons.

But if the UK does back US-led strikes in Syria, what British hardware and weaponry would be at the military’s disposal?

The Tornado has been carrying out air strikes in Syria and Iraq over the past few years, and is a likely option if allied strikes against the Assad regime go ahead.

There are currently six of the jets based at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus, a location some 315 miles (510km) from Syria.

Eurofighter Typhoon

With a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, the Eurofighter Typhoon was first deployed in combat in Libya in 2011, and is also the jet used for Britain’s Quick Reaction Alert squadrons based at RAF Lossiemouth, Scotland, and RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, with a presence also in the Falkland Islands.

Future weapons on the jet will also include Storm Shadow and Brimstone, as well as Meteor air-to-air missiles.

Submarines

Another potential option could be to use Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from Royal Navy attack submarines.

The Tomahawk IV has a range of well over 1,000 miles (1,610km) and can be redirected to a new target in mid-flight – it is known as a strike first weapon and could be a likely option for use in Syria as they can be launched unalerted.

Used during operations in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq in 2003, it is understood there is always a submarine available to be deployed for such tasks, and one could be sent to the Eastern Mediterranean should it be required.

Which weapons could be used?

Storm Shadow cruise missiles

Described as a “long-range deep-strike weapon” by MBDA systems, which produces the missile, the company states on its website that it is “designed to meet the demanding requirements of pre-planned attacks against high-value fixed or stationary targets”.

It was first brought into service in 2003 and has previously been described by the RAF as “arguably the most advanced weapon of its kind in the world”.

Paveway bombs

The RAF said Paveway IV “offers huge tactical flexibility”, and, as the impact angle and direction can be programmed from the cockpit, it gives a “precisely tailored strike on planned and unplanned targets”.

But to be effective, the jet carrying it has to be over or within vicinity of the target, which could mean the aircraft it is being launched from becomes vulnerable to surface-to-air retaliatory missiles or fire.

Brimstone

Each missile weighs 110lb (50kg), measures 6ft (1.8m) and is 7in (180mm) in diameter, and is a short-range missile.