Israeli Navy Sends Warships to Red Sea After Iran-Backed Attacks from Yemen
Over the past week, Houthi rebels have launched at least three attacks aimed at Israel
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 01/11/2023
Israeli Navy missile boats arrived yesterday (Tuesday) in the Red Sea area, according to an IDF spokesperson's report.
These war vessels have arrived after several instances in which cruise missiles and drones were launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen toward Israel.
Aerial Defense
In some of the cases, the threats have been intercepted by American naval vessels stationed in the Red Sea. The Israeli boats are equipped with air defense systems, such as the Barak-8, which is an air defense system produced by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
It is possible that part of the deployment of Israeli ships alongside the American ones is aimed at providing enhanced air defense coverage closer to the shores of Yemen. The combination of SM-2 systems along with the Israeli Barak systems could potentially provide better overall air defense coverage in that area.
The United States and Israel have previously integrated their air defense systems during exercises like Juniper Cobra.
Ground assault
One question that arises is whether these ships include ground attack capabilities against the Houthis. In terms of long-range ground attacks, there are missiles that can be used to target ground-based objectives, although they may not be the ideal choice. Additionally, there is a loitering munition system that can be deployed, but its effectiveness is relatively limited due to its small caliber.
Risking the warships
It is important to keep in mind, when Israel brings its ships close to Yemen, that the Houthis possess short-range missiles with ranges of a few hundred kilometers that can potentially target these Israeli ships. In other words, the Israeli ships become targets for the Houthis, especially during times when they seek to assert themselves against Israel.
Over the past week, Houthi rebels have launched at least three attacks aimed at Israel
Israeli Navy missile boats arrived yesterday (Tuesday) in the Red Sea area, according to an IDF spokesperson's report.
These war vessels have arrived after several instances in which cruise missiles and drones were launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen toward Israel.
Aerial Defense
In some of the cases, the threats have been intercepted by American naval vessels stationed in the Red Sea. The Israeli boats are equipped with air defense systems, such as the Barak-8, which is an air defense system produced by the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
It is possible that part of the deployment of Israeli ships alongside the American ones is aimed at providing enhanced air defense coverage closer to the shores of Yemen. The combination of SM-2 systems along with the Israeli Barak systems could potentially provide better overall air defense coverage in that area.
The United States and Israel have previously integrated their air defense systems during exercises like Juniper Cobra.
Ground assault
One question that arises is whether these ships include ground attack capabilities against the Houthis. In terms of long-range ground attacks, there are missiles that can be used to target ground-based objectives, although they may not be the ideal choice. Additionally, there is a loitering munition system that can be deployed, but its effectiveness is relatively limited due to its small caliber.
Risking the warships
It is important to keep in mind, when Israel brings its ships close to Yemen, that the Houthis possess short-range missiles with ranges of a few hundred kilometers that can potentially target these Israeli ships. In other words, the Israeli ships become targets for the Houthis, especially during times when they seek to assert themselves against Israel.
