HMS Diamond and US warships repel largest Houthi attack to date in Red Sea

James Knuckey

10th January 2024 at 9:22am

HMS Diamond, along with US warships, has repelled the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Grant Shapps said the Type 45 destroyer shot down seven attack drones using her Sea Viper missiles and guns.

No injuries or damage was sustained to Diamond or her crew – the ship is in the region as part of an international coalition to protect shipping.

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In a statement shared on X, Mr Shapps said: “Overnight, HMS Diamond, along with US warships, successfully repelled the largest attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.

“Deploying Sea Viper missiles and guns, Diamond destroyed multiple attack drones heading for her and commercial shipping in the area, with no injuries or damage sustained to Diamond or her crew.

“The UK alongside allies have previously made clear that these illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and if continued the Houthis will bear the consequences.

“We will take the action needed to protect innocent lives and the global economy.”

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HMS DIAMOND, along with US warships, has repelled the largest attack by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.

Destroying multiple attack drones with her guns and sea viper missiles. pic.twitter.com/kFjFKj6TM6— Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) January 10, 2024

The US Central Command said 18 one-way attack drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and one anti-ship ballistic missile were shot down by F/A-18 fighter jets from aircraft carrier USS Dwight D Eisenhower, destroyers USS Gravely, USS Laboon and USS Mason, plus HMS Diamond.

Central Command said it was a “complex attack” launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen into the southern Red Sea, towards international shipping lanes where dozens of merchant vessels were transiting.

The command reported no injuries or damage and said this is the 26th Houthi attack on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since 19 November.

//players.brightcove.net/2685123856001/Hy7Zehglog_default/index.html?videoId=6343610974112

The incident is the second time HMS Diamond has repelled attacks since being deployed to the Red Sea.

In December, Diamond used her Sea Viper missile system to shoot down a suspected attack drone believed to be targeting merchant shipping.

It was the first time since the Gulf War in 1991 that the Royal Navy had engaged and destroyed a hostile aerial target.

Overnight @HMSDiamond alongside US vessels repelled the largest and most complex attack by Houthis in the Red Sea to date.

Nearly 15% of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea.

Attacks to commercial shipping jeopardise the movement of goods worldwide. pic.twitter.com/ihOoyK7Hje— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) January 10, 2024

Overnight, the largest Houthi attack to date in the Red Sea was successfully repelled by @hmsdiamond and US warships.

Deploying Sea Viper missiles and guns, HMS Diamond destroyed multiple attack drones heading for her & commercial shipping in the area.@DefenceHQ@RoyalNavypic.twitter.com/NWgvYyNgC8— Defence Operations 🇬🇧 (@DefenceOps) January 10, 2024

It comes as Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond has been sent to the Middle East, which, the Defence Secretary insisted, does not represent an escalation in tension in the region.

Grant Shapps told the Commons the vessel was travelling to the Gulf where she would then allow the Royal Navy to swap places with HMS Diamond or HMS Lancaster.