As well as being attack dogs, they rescue wounded troops and bring fighters ammunition, food and water.
“Once their teeth are in a target they will not let go. They only stopped fighting when their handlers gave them the signal.”
The two Belgian Malinois are in line for the canine version of the Victoria Cross after being airlifted back to Britain for playing a key role in the mission to take down a “high-value” insurgent commander
The Belgian Malinois breed was chosen by the SAS because of their courage, athleticism and intelligence.
Because the pair captured a Taliban commander, attacking six armed insurgents time and time again despite being wounded.
Do the SAS use Belgian Malinois?
The Belgian Malinois breed was chosen by the SAS because of their courage, athleticism and intelligence. The animals even learn how to parachute, abseil from helicopters and swim under water. As well as being attack dogs, they rescue wounded troops and bring fighters ammunition, food and water.
The MoD has an official policy of never commenting on any aspect of any special forces operation. But that policy has been increasingly undermined by members of the special forces and by comments from ministers and commanders.
SAS troops deployed in Iraq, where they were engaged in “kill or capture” missions against al-Qaida insurgents and Saddam Hussein lieutenants, have in the past two years switched to Afghanistan, joining their naval counterparts, the SBS.
But its not the first time an army has turned to canine helpers to assist in dealing with an enemy.
They have been carrying out what military sources describe as “decapitation” operations aimed at Taliban commanders in Helmand and Kandahar provinces.
The dogs are strapped to the chest of their handlers for the drops, and cameras are attached to their heads to feed back s of buildings and surrounding areas. The tactics have been adapted from US special forces, but the Ministry of Defence said it would not comment on a report on operations by SAS troops.