Royal Navy guns down Houthi missile in Red Sea as World War 3 fears erupt
HMS Diamond reportedly successfully hit its target in the Red Sea.
Royal Navy confirms warship shot down Houthi missile
The Royal Navy confirmed it had gunned down a Houthi missile in the Red Sea as World War 3 fears erupted on Thursday evening.
HMS Diamond shot down an Iranian-made Houthi weapon in the Gulf, the first time in 30 years the Royal Navy has intercepted a missile in combat.
The Type 45 destroyer was defending a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden when its Sea Viper missile system was used to target the weapon which had been fired from Yemen.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told the Times: "It was the first time a Royal Navy warship had intercepted a missile in combat since the Gulf War in 1991."
"The UK continues to be at the forefront of the international response to the Iranian-backed Houthis’ dangerous attacks on commercial vessels, which have claimed the lives of international mariners,” he added.
HMS Diamond's deployment is part of Operation Prosperity Guardian – an multinational coalition to protect international shipping in the region.
This was in response to the outbreak of war lst October between Israel and Hamas, following the hotrrific attacks by the Islamists on innocent civilians.
The destroyer relieved HMS Richmond in March.
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The HMS Richmond has also played an active role defending shipping from Houthi attacks.
The Type 23 frigate shot down two Houthi attack drones using her Sea Ceptor missiles, becoming the first UK warship to fire them in combat.
HMS Richmond saw active service in the Red Sea from November to January and destroyed nine drones using her Sea Viper missile system and guns.
The Royal Navy describes the destroyer as a jewel in the naval crown, whose primary role is provide her fellow ships with air defence.
However the ship can be used in a number of roles, ranging from counter-narcotics boarding operations, acting as a task group flagship or providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
Type 45 destroyers feature a flight deck and hangar to support the operation of a single Merlin helicopter.
As well as hunting and obliterating enemy submarines, the Merlins can also be used for round-the-clock maritime patrol and interdiction, casualty evacuation and search and rescue missions.
