- A UK warship on Wednesday destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile possible concentrating on a business ship.
- It marked the Royal Navy’s first such kill because the Gulf War, in response to a report.
- A 1991 engagement marked the primary time ship-launched anti-air missiles efficiently destroyed an enemy missile in naval fight.
A UK warship on Wednesday shot down a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis in Yemen, marking the Royal Navy’s first such kill because the Gulf War greater than 30 years in the past.
The HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer, used its superior Sea Viper missile interceptors to down the lethal Houthi risk whereas the warship was defending a business ship within the Gulf of Aden, in response to a brand new report.
US Central Command, or CENTCOM, mentioned on Wednesday {that a} coalition vessel had “successfully engaged” an anti-ship ballistic missile over the Gulf of Aden earlier within the day, marking the primary confirmed Houthi assault in over every week.
The missile was possible concentrating on the MV Yorktown, a US-flagged, owned, and operated service provider vessel with American and Greek crew members aboard, CENTCOM famous in an announcement. There was no reported harm or accidents, it added.
The coalition vessel has since been recognized because the Diamond by The Times, which reported new particulars of the engagement on Thursday. Grant Shapps, the UK protection secretary, confirmed the incident and informed the outlet that it was the primary time a missile was intercepted in fight by a Royal Navy warship since 1991.
During the Gulf War, the Type 42 destroyer HMS Gloucester used Sea Dart missiles to destroy an Iraqi silkworm anti-ship missile that was concentrating on an American warship. That engagement marked the primary time anti-air missiles efficiently destroyed an enemy missile risk throughout a battle at sea.
It just isn’t instantly clear what sort of missile the Houthis used on Wednesday. The rebels are confirmed to have employed a wide range of missiles and drones of Iranian origin since they began attacking ships within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden final 12 months.
The UK Ministry of Defense didn’t instantly reply to Business Insider’s queries on the engagement.
The Diamond first deployed to the area in December as a part of a US Navy-led job pressure that has been squaring off towards relentless Houthi threats off the coast of Yemen. The warship spent a number of weeks again dwelling earlier this 12 months to obtain upkeep and extra provides, but it surely has since returned to the area.
During these deployments, the Diamond has used its Sea Viper missiles and 30mm gun to destroy a handful of Houthi drones on a number of events. Several different European warships have additionally destroyed Houthi threats within the air, alongside American vessels.
Meanwhile, shortly after the Diamond’s engagement on Wednesday, which ended a interval of relative calm within the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden that lasted somewhat greater than every week, US forces destroyed 4 drones over Yemen.
CENTCOM mentioned it was decided that the Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile and drones introduced “an imminent threat to US, coalition, and merchant vessels in the region.”
“These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US, coalition, and merchant vessels,” CENTCOM added.