(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — U.S. warships have reportedly fired over 100 “Standard Missile” surface-to-air missiles valued at more than US$400 million (RM1.8 billion) to bring down cheap and unsophisticated suicide drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi armed group in the Red Sea.
Military observers indicate that the conflict in the Red Sea has resulted in “significant losses” for the United States, which has had to deploy sophisticated weaponry worth millions of dollars to shoot down, among others, inexpensive drones launched by the Houthi group.
In addition to low-cost drones, the pro-Iran Houthi group in Yemen has also launched anti-ship ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs).
While a variety of weapons have been used to target commercial ships heading to Israel, the majority of Houthi attacks have employed cost-effective suicide drones.
“The longer the conflict in the Red Sea persists, the greater the losses incurred by America and its allies. Each ‘Standard’ surface-to-air missile launched by American destroyers is estimated to cost US$4 million (RM18 million) per missile.”
“In contrast, the inexpensive drones launched by the Houthi group are estimated to cost only US$2,000 (RM9,000) each to build. A missile worth US$4 million (RM18 million) is used to destroy a cheap drone valued at just US$2,000 (RM9,000).”
The “Shahed-136” suicide drone, manufactured by Iran and currently used by Russia in Ukraine, is estimated to cost US$20,000 (RM90,000) each.
If the U.S. Navy has indeed launched approximately 100 Standard Missiles so far, it can be estimated that at least US$400 million (RM1.8 billion) has been spent to shoot down the Houthi’s inexpensive drones.
According to reports by U.S. media, American warships patrolling the Red Sea have fired “Standard Missile” (SM) variants SM-2 and SM-6 at Houthi drones.
The SM-2 Block IIIC and SM-6 Block IA surface-to-air missiles, believed to be used by U.S. warships to shoot down Houthi missiles and drones, are valued up to US$4 million (RM18 million) each.
The SM-2 variant is a medium-range surface-to-air missile, while the SM-6 variant targets long-range aerial threats.
Besides using SM family missiles to counter the Houthi threat, American warships also have the option to use 127mm (5 inch) guns and 20mm cannons.
In addition to cannons, U.S. destroyer warships can launch the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), a very short-range surface-to-air missile, costing US$1.8 million (RM8.1 million) per missile.
However, the warships are reluctant to risk using cannons and ESSM missiles due to the risk of engaging threats at very close range.
It is considered safer to address threats from a greater distance. — DSA