HOW! DARES WINS ‘Tactical tomahawks’ are new SAS weapon

THE SAS are using a “tactical tomahawk” that was inspired by Native American warriors.

The elite force began using it last year on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is understood the special forces adopted the axe-like weapon after seeing members of US Seal Team Six using it in a raid on a Taliban compound.

It is said to be ideal for close-quarters battle and inside buildings.

The tomahawk used by the British is understood to be made from carbon steel, with a rubber grip and lethal spike on the head.

A source told us: “The

SAS and the Seals were taking part in a joint operation and the British guys saw that all of the Seals had what they thought were axes.

“One of the SAS asked, ‘Why the axe?’ and the response was, ‘It’s the best close-quarters weapon in the world.’

“The British began ordering their own online and getting them sent out to Afghanistan.

“Now they are part of the SAS standard equipment. The SAS can basically have any weapon,

DAILY STAR SUNDAY, July 19, 2020 but the one piece of equipment every trooper now wants when they go into battle is the tactical tomahawk.

“They have been used in action and wounded some very nasty people. The tomahawk also has a significant fear factor – if you see someone coming at you with an axe it tends to make you think twice about putting up a fight.”

The SAS are often tasked with “hard entry capture missions” where a team must force its way inside a building to capture and not kill a terrorist suspect.

They have used shotguns to blast holes into doors but have been on the lookout for a smaller, more adaptable tool.

Our source continued: “There’s a reason why firefighters carry an axe – it is such a versatile tool.

“The SAS have turned it into a weapon as well.”

The tomahawk was used by Rogers’ Rangers, who fought for the British during the American War of Independence.

It resurfaced as a tactical weapon in 2007 and its use soon caught on among the US Navy Seals and the army’s Delta Force.