French Outfly RAF In IS Air Mission

French warplanes are flying three times as many sorties against IS as their RAF counterparts.

Research conducted by Sky News found that since the arrival of France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier in the Gulf it has dramatically increased the number of missions being flown.

With 36 carrier and land-based Rafale and Super Etendard jets involved in the fight against Islamic State, the French are flying being 12 and 15 sorties a day.

The RAF's eight Tornados are flying just two sorties a day in pairs out of their base at RAF Akrotiri. The UK's Voyager refuelling aircraft however are assisting the French effort when required.

The figures appear to contradict the Prime Minister David Cameron's claim that the UK is the main partner to the US in the air campaign, although the RAF has currently carried out four times as many strikes as the French airforce.