Dogs of war: SAS trains canines to parachute into enemy territory to help fight insurgents

The SAS is training dogs to parachute into enemy territory on missions to sniff out insurgents and warn of ambushes.

The German Shepherds are being taught to jump from planes at high altitude wearing their own oxygen masks and strapped to soldiers.

Once on the ground they can be released into enemy territory with miniature cameras mounted to their heads.

Live images of enemy positions and possible ambush sites can be relayed back to special forces teams in safe positions.

The dogs will be earmarked for use in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is hoped their introduction will reduce the number of SAS troops killed or injured in operations.

An SAS source told The Sun newspaper: "The dogs will be exposed to very high levels of danger on these operations and you never know what's going to be behind a door.

"Nobody wants to see the dogs get killed but if it's their life or a man's it is obvious which the CO would prefer."

Two dogs have reportedly been assigned to each of the regiment's four squadrons and their handlers are learning the techniques for parachuting with dogs at high altitudes from American special forces instructors.

An MOD spokesman said: "We do not comment on special forces operations."