Elite SBS frogmen are equipped with pistol that can kill underwater from 30 metres and used the 'silent' weapon to take out ISIS terrorists in Syria
Members of the Special Boat Service (SBS) have been given a pistol that can kill enemies underwater from more than 30m.
British special forces have been given the weapon for what is believed to be the first time.
It can also be used to maim hostile forces above water and the Heckler and Koch 911 pistol is almost silent, according to the Daily Star.
Deep sea divers called frogmen who are part of the Special Boat Service (SBS) have been given a pistol that can kill enemies underwater from more than 30m. It can also be used to maim hostile forces above water and the Heckler and Koch 911 pistol (pictured) is almost silent
In Syria, four men were on a counter-terrorist mission with the SBS and fired the weapon after leaving the water. A source said that the men were coming out of a river and climbed up a bank when they saw two Islamic State fighters guarding an oil refinery. The new weapon killed both men, one was shot in the chest and the other in the head (file image)
In Syria, four men were on a counter-terrorist mission with the SBS and fired the weapon after leaving the water.
A source said that the men were coming out of a river and climbed up a bank when they saw two Islamic State fighters guarding an oil refinery.
The new weapon killed both men, one was shot in the chest and the other in the head.
It was the first time the SBS frogman used the weapon in a real operation.
British Special Boat Service (SBS) soldiers
The source said: 'He was very impressed and said that the only sound came from the dart hitting the sentry in the face.'
Special Boat Service's new weapon was created for German special forces originally but is now used in clandestine maritime operations as it has been reworked for them.
The weapon has rounds that are fired with an electric power pack inside the pistol.
It means the weapon is noiseless and has no flash, a handy piece of equipment for the covert special forces. The pistol contains five barrels which fire a 7.62mm dart made of tungsten.
It is because bullets would be slowed down by water and would not be effective over any more than a couple of metres in distance.
A military source said: 'Frogmen need a close-protection weapon, something more than a knife – and the P11 is ideal.
'The PK11 is perfect for the job. Its main limitation is that it takes ages to reload so once the five rounds have been fired, it is effectively useless.'
Sources said the new pistol has been used for several special service operations.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'We do not comment on Special Forces.'
British Royal Marines from the S39 Assault Squadron on a petrol boat as part of Operation Troy
Special Boat Service: Elite unit whose motto is 'By Strength and Guile'
The Special Boat Service is the special forces unit of the Royal Navy and is comparable with the more well-known Special Air Service (SAS), the Army's equivalent.
They are among the most elite and capable soldiers in the British military and are even more feared than the highly-trained Royal Marines.
The service is based in Poole, Dorset, just miles away from yesterday's mission, and is made up of small teams who specialise in undercover raids and using the element of surprise.
The Special Boat Service is the special forces unit of the Royal Navy and is comparable with the more well-known Special Air Service (SAS), the Army's equivalent. Above: Members of the SBS
In its infancy, the service's soldiers would use small boats launched from submarines to paddle ashore before sabotaging enemy targets such as rail and communication lines.
The service was formed in 1940 during World War Two and has since fort in the Korean War, Falklands War, War in Afghanistan, Iraq War and the fight against ISIS.
However, because nearly all their operations are highly classified, little is known about any individuals who make up the unit.
Most are drawn from the Royal Marines Commandos, and all are exceptionally physically and mentally fit.
Only around 250 make up the four squadrons of the SBS at any one time.
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