British destroyer HMS Diamond has shot down a drone in the Red Sea
17 December, 2023 HMS Diamond. Photo from open sources HMS Diamond, the British missile destroyer, has shot down a suspected attack drone targeting merchant shipping in the Red Sea.
Grant Shapps, British Secretary of State for Defence, announced this on X (ex-Twitter). The drone was hit by a Sea Viper (Aster) missile from the ship's Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS). The incident reportedly took place on the night of December 15.
"The recent spate of illegal attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security in the Red Sea. The UK remains committed to repelling these attacks to protect the free flow of global trade," the statement reads. On December 11, it was reported that the French Languedoc frigate (D653) shot down two drones that were targeting the ship while patrolling the Red Sea.
Launch of the Aster 15 anti-aircraft missile during exercises.
Photo credits: France Navy
The two targets were neutralized using Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles that destroyed the air targets. This was the first combat use of this missile in a real combat situation. This is not the first time the Yemeni Houthis have attempted to attack warships of other countries.
On December 3, 2023, the US destroyer USS Carney shot down two kamikaze drones that were targeting the ship. The USS Carney destroyer previously shot down four cruise missiles and 15 kamikaze drones launched from Yemen during a patrol.
USS Carney. Photo from open sources
Militarnyi previously reported that the Houthis shot down an MQ-9 drone of the US Air Force over the Red Sea during a reconnaissance flight.
The incident occurred on November 8, 2023, during a reconnaissance flight to identify the locations of cruise and ballistic missile launches toward Israel.
Principal Anti-Air Missile System
PAAMS is a medium-range principal anti-air missile system. PAAMS can launch missiles with its Sylver Vertical Launching System.
Launch of a Sea Viper (Aster) missile from the Sylver Vertical Launching System of the HMS Diamond destroyer.
2011. Photo from open sources
The Principal Anti-Air Missile System is designed to provide air defense at a distance of up to 80 km and can be equipped with Aster-15 and Aster-30 missiles.
PAAMS components include:
- S1850 long-range radar;
- SAMPSON (on British ships) or EMPAR (on French ships) long-range radars;
- Automatic command and control system;
- Sylver Vertical Launching System.