Libya: RAF fears over missile shortages

British and allied forces target a Libyan T-72 main battle tank near Ajdabiya. In the last four weeks an estimated 60 Brimstones have been fired at armoured vehicles in Libya

Fears over a shortage of missiles for RAF bombers have seen chiefs urgently order more weapons as nearly a quarter of their state-of-the art bomb stockpile has been used up in a month.

The RAF only has an armoury of just over 300 of the dual-mode Brimstone bombs that have proved so effective against tanks as well as pickup trucks in Libya and also Afghan insurgents.

The Daily Telegraph understands that more than 110 of the Brimstones have been fired since they were first used on operations in Afghanistan in 2009.

In the last four weeks of the bombing campaign an estimated 60 have been fired at armoured vehicles in Libya.

Using a millimetric wave radar and laser seeker the £105,000 Brimstone's are extremely accurate but with a small warhead they are ideal for urban attacks as they do not cause much collateral damage. With Col Gaddafi moving his armour into towns the weapon will become in increasing demand to avoid civilian deaths.

However, if a large number are used in the coming weeks then the RAF risks having dangerously low stocks as it takes weeks to make the dual mode version of Brimstone.

Without Brimstone the Tornado GR4 bombers would have to make do with 500lb Paveway II bombs or the Typhoon's 1,000lb Paveway IV both of which could cause civilian casualties in a built-up area.

More than 2,000 Brimstones were originally built to take on massed Soviet armoured divisions and were unable to discriminate between friend or foe vehicles.

The MoD decided to convert more than 300 Brimstones into the "dual mode" under an urgent operational requirement and proved a huge success in Afghanistan where it can target individuals, buildings and fast-moving vehicles.

However, converting more bombs is a complex process taking a number of weeks. It is understood that the British manufacturers MBDA have been quietly asked to begin making more.

Other foreign countries, including America and France, are now keen to buy up the missile after seeing its success in Libya, putting further pressure on stockpiles.

It is also thought that part of the reason the British Government is keen for other Nato countries to be involved is due to the high expenditure of ammunition.

An RAF spokesman said: “As is normal practice we are working closely with industry to ensure we maintain capability for both Libya and Afghanistan.”