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This is the moment a Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond shot down a missile fired by Houthis in Yemen at a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
HMS Diamond was defending the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday when her Sea Viper missile system was used to destroy the projectile, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps showed his appreciation to the crew for helping to ‘save innocent lives’ and defend shipping.
He added: ‘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.’
It marked the first time a Royal Navy warship has intercepted a missile in the combat since the Gulf War in 1991, Mr Shapps told The Times.
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond shot down a missile fired by Houthis in Yemen at a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden
A Sea Viper missile is launched from HMS Diamond to shoot down a missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen
The crew of the Royal Navy warship used her world-class Sea Viper missile system to shoot down the missile
HMS Diamond was defending the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday when her Sea Viper missile system was used to destroy the projectile
The Houthis have been targeting vessels they said are linked to Israel and the West in response to ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Gaza.
Serious disruption and rising costs are now being faced by global supply chains as a result of some of the largest shipping companies diverting journeys away from the Red Sea, according to the BBC.
The Houthis on Wednesday claimed to have attacked the US ship Maersk Yorktown and as well as an American destroyer in the Gulf of Aden.
According to the MoD, HMS Diamond’s deployment in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden makes up a section of the UK’s wider response to Houthi attacks.
Previously, HMS Diamond operated in the region in December and January, coming under fire in three separate attacks by Houthi forces.
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