Devonport submarine HMS Triumph launches Tomahawk missiles into Libya
DEVONPORT-based submarine HMS Triumph has played a key role in the airstrikes on Libya, it has been reported.
The international community swung into action against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi over the weekend.
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Building destroyed by a missile sttrike in Libya
The UK, France, the US, Canada and Italy joined the UN-backed operation to protect civilians from attacks by Col Gaddafi's forces.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said that a British Trafalgar-class submarine fired Tomahawk cruise missiles into the country.
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While the MoD has not confirmed which sub is involved, there have been reports that the Plymouth vessel has been deployed.
A US Pentagon spokesman said the British submarine taking part in the operation was the 130-crew HMS Triumph, according to The Daily Mail.
Plymouth frigate HMS Cumberland is in international waters nearby ready to assist.
The vessel has been running rescue missions from Libya in recent weeks, taking hundreds of British and foreign nationals to safety in Malta.
She is one of four Devonport-based Type-22 frigates to be scrapped as part of defence cutbacks.
Tornados took off from RAF Marham in Norfolk shortly after 112 Tomahawk cruise missiles – some of them British – were fired at Libya to knock out the dictator's air defence systems at more than 20 coastal locations.
The missiles targeted radar systems and ground-to-air missile sites around the cities of Tripoli and Misrata in what was described as "the first phase of a multi-phase operation", clearing the way for UN-backed planes to take control of the skies.
The onslaught on Gaddafi came after an emergency summit in Paris agreed military action to enforce United Nations resolution 1973, which authorised "any necessary measures" short of foreign occupation to defend Libyan civilians.
David Cameron announced that British forces had gone into action in a brief statement outside 10 Downing Street following a meeting of senior ministers and military top brass.
Initiating his first military campaign as PM, Mr Cameron described the operation as "necessary, legal and right".
His thoughts were with British service personnel who were risking their lives to save others, he said.
The MoD has said it is "entirely comfortable" with the outcome of the airstrikes on Libya.
Comments
by mr ?, there
Sunday, April 03 2011, 3:41PM
“i was there”
by Phil, USA
Tuesday, March 22 2011, 12:45AM
“Jenny, I believe you can catch a plane to Germany if you don't like Britain. The United States has sacrificed a great deal too, as far as loss of lives and total expense.You come from a great ally and we depend on you backing the coalitions to keep the world safe from sick fuchs like Sadam and Gadaffy, Thanks,”
by Johnny, St Budo
Monday, March 21 2011, 8:12PM
“At least this action is legal unlike the illegal Labour war in Iraq.”
by Mark, Plymouth
Monday, March 21 2011, 7:52PM
“@o0RDJ0o
£118,000 per missile? Thats a bit cheap I think.
More like £500,000 per missile for detailed info on costs look here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12806709”
by David, St Austell
Monday, March 21 2011, 7:04PM
“For those who harp on about Lockerbie that was because we -UK and USA - illegally bombed Libya in 1986.
While more repressive regimes such as Saudi Arabie and Bahrain are allowed to carry on killing their own people. Doesn't anyone apart from me think this whole operation stinks?”
by Tony, Bluebell Wood
Monday, March 21 2011, 6:55PM
“Gaddafi has to be brought to book for Lockerbie, so this is as good a chance as any to help topple him from power”
by o0RDJ0o, Plymouth
Monday, March 21 2011, 2:50PM
“As a friend of mine said............
£118.000 per cruise missile and this country is sacking nurses in the uk as you ''cant afford them''......just more to add to the countries debt!
I think we should help out stopping Gadafi killing his own people but not by killing our own by failing to provide healthcare and public services such as firemen and police.”
by o0RDJ0o, Plymouth
Monday, March 21 2011, 2:15PM
“On a different note i agree fully with Mrs M
I believe we just had a CENSUS through the door did we not?
After all that's what is for ;)”
by o0RDJ0o, Plymouth
Monday, March 21 2011, 2:10PM
“What makes me laugh is the U.S where the first to say yeah there out of order we should do something about this and pushed ourselves and France to help out.
Now were there at the front again fighting a battle we have no involvement in, there line is '' we're going to take a back seat approach and let you guys handle it ''
Yet again the good old USA starting things they never have any intention of finishing.................Ringing any bells??
JOKE!!!!!”
by Boris Napper, Eddystone Lighthouse
Monday, March 21 2011, 1:27PM
“We won't get involved in Bahrain etc. That's all down to the monarchs adhering to a different type of islam from their subjects, who are "the wrong type of islam". It may be a bitter pill for some westerners to swallow but it's in our best interests that the regimes in the emirates countries stay the same - for all host of economic and military reasons.”