Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, British and US warships are gearing up for a decisive offensive against Houthi rebels in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed terror group, responsible for widespread disruption in the region during the Israel-Hamas conflict, now faces the imminent threat of a coordinated assault.
Retired Rear-Admiral Chris Parry detailed the advanced preparations of the UK and US warships. Equipped with sophisticated radar detection systems and a specially designed Falcon Phalanx Gatling gun capable of firing up to 600 rounds per minute, the warships are ready to unleash a storm of over 600 missiles upon the Houthi rebels.
“The warships have a very sophisticated radar detection system,” Chris Parry told The Sun. “It’s got a main radar that can detect all sorts of contacts, hundreds of them out to about 400 kilometres, and it’s got a very sophisticated fire control system.”
Highlighting the capability of the warships’ defences, Parry praised them as “one of the best anti-air platforms in the world.”
The recent escalation reached a critical point on January 9 when Houthi rebels launched their most significant attack in the Red Sea, targeting cargo ships in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. In response, the US Central Command reported a coordinated strike involving Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond and American warships to counter the Iranian proxy.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps described it as the largest attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date, suggesting that HMS Diamond was deliberately targeted. The situation has put Britain on the verge of launching attacks on Yemeni bases.
The strategic importance of the Red Sea, acting as a vital link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean, cannot be understated. Approximately 10 percent of global trade passes through the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait, making it a critical route for international commerce.
In December 2023, the US initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational joint-military coalition, to counter Houthi threats in the Red Sea. The deployment includes the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and its escorting destroyers, as well as the Royal Navy’s HMS Diamond.
As tensions continue to rise, Britain has further bolstered its naval presence in the region. HMS Richmond, armed with 32 Sea Captor missiles and a Wildcat helicopter, joins the coalition to counter Houthi rebel attacks. The international response also includes warships from India and Israel.
The Red Sea’s strategic significance, coupled with the ongoing conflicts and geopolitical pressures, raises concerns about potential disruptions to the global oil supply chain. With an estimated £2.4 trillion worth of world trade at risk, the situation in the Red Sea could lead to a significant hike in oil prices if the attacks persist. Oil giant BP has already temporarily paused all shipments through the Red Sea, citing a “deteriorating security situation” in the Middle East.
