Royal Navy's HMS Diamond Shoots Down Houthis Missile While Defending Merchant Vessel

A Royal Navy destroyer successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis in Yemen on April 24, 2024.

This marks the Royal Navy’s first interception since the Gulf War, which occurred over 30 years ago, in 1991.

The HMS Diamond, a Type 45 air defence guided missile destroyer, used its modern Sea Viper Missile interceptors to eliminate the danger while protecting a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden.

The HMS Diamond is currently operating in the area to thwart attacks launched by the Houthis.

Grant Shapps, the UK Defense Secretary, appreciated the crew’s unwavering efforts to save the lives of the innocents and protect ships.

He further added that the United Kingdom is committed to standing still against the Iran-led Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, which have claimed the lives of innocent international mariners.

In response to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, the Houthis, who control major parts of Yemen, including its capital, Sanaa, have targeted vessels they claim are linked to Israel and the West.

Some of the world’s largest shipping corporations have diverted journeys away from the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping channels, causing serious disruptions and escalating prices in the global supply chains.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking the US tanker Maersk Yorktown and an American destroyer in the Gulf of Aden on April 24, 2024.

According to the Ministry of Defence, HMS Diamond’s deployment in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is part of the UK’s broader response to Houthi attacks.

Some of the activities include intercepting the shipment of weapons into Yemen, implementing sanctions on Houthi members, and conducting targeted strikes against military objectives.

HMS Diamond was attacked three times by Houthi forces, destroying nine drones with the Sea Viper missile system and firearms.

The destroyer took over for HMS Richmond, which had thwarted a Houthi attack in the Red Sea by shooting down two drones with Sea Ceptor missiles.

Reference: BBC

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