(VIDEO) For the First Time, Houthis Claim Launch of Hypersonic Missile “Hatem-2”

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Houthi armed group in Yemen has claimed to have launched for the first time a hypersonic missile named “Hatem-2,” capable of speeds exceeding Mach 8.

The “Hatem-2” hypersonic missile reportedly targeted the commercial vessel MSC Sarah V in the Arabian Sea.

“For the first time, the identity of the targeted vessel was disclosed as MSC Sarah V in the Arabian Sea.”

“The missile, developed domestically, incorporates modern technology, offering precise targeting capabilities over long distances,” according to Houthi spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree.

The MSC Sarah V was reportedly approximately 450 km from Nishtun, in eastern Yemen.

The Houthis have released a video showing the launch of the hypersonic missile “Hatem-2” towards its target.

Analysts suggest that although the Houthis claim the “Hatem-2” missile was developed domestically, its design closely resembles the “Kheybar Shekan” missile from Iran, as seen in the released video.

 It is believed that Iran has likely provided experts and manufacturing facilities to Yemen to enable the production of the “Kheybar Shekan” missile for Houthi use.

Experts assert that the “Hatem-2” missile is actually a variant of the “Kheybar Shekan-2,” a latest hypersonic version that poses significant challenges to modern air defense systems due to its speeds surpassing Mach 8.

The “Kheybar Shekan” is a variant of the Fateh-110 ballistic missile, featuring a longer range and solid propellant.

According to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the “Kheybar Shekan” can target up to 1,450 km, an increase from the previous “Dezful” variant publicly revealed in February 2019 with a range of 1,000 km.

 

The ballistic missile is known for its high speed and precision, demonstrated in attacks across northern Iraq and Syria.

In January this year, Iran launched “Kheybar Shekan” missiles targeting what it referred to as an “Israeli intelligence center” and “anti-Iran group locations” near Erbil in northern Iraq and in Aleppo, Syria.

Erbil is among the major cities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Iranian media reported that the Revolutionary Guard launched 24 missiles at targets in northern Iraq and Syria as a “retaliatory” action for the assassination of an Iranian general and a pro-Iran armed group commander.

Other locations in Erbil also came under attack from these Iranian ballistic missiles.

 

In April, Iran reportedly used the “Kheybar Shekan” to precisely target the Nevatim Military Base and the Ramon Air Base housing F-35I Adir and F-16I Sufa aircraft of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in the Negev Desert in southern Israel.

Sources claim to Iranian media that at least 15 ballistic missiles struck Nevatim Air Base in the Negev Desert, which houses a squadron of the nation’s F-35I Adir fighter aircraft.

The missile strikes were also recorded by residents of Israel living near the airbase.

 Footage from Israeli residents showed at least four strikes from Iranian missiles hitting the main Israeli airbase.

The warhead of the “Kheybar Shekan” reportedly travels between Mach 7 and 9 in its final flight phase before striking its target.

The missile is also noted for its high agility, enabling it to evade enemy air defense systems. — DSA