British Warships Deployed in Red Sea Not Capable of Attacking Houthi Targets on Land

Defense News ,UK :- In a recent report by The Telegraph, it has been revealed that none of the Royal Navy warships deployed in the Red Sea possess the capability to strike Houthi targets on land. According to unnamed defense sources, British vessels, including the HMS Diamond, have not been involved in US retaliatory strikes on Yemen due to their absence of surface-to-surface missile capabilities.

The report highlights that the Royal Air Force's warplanes are compelled to cover extensive distances to engage Houthi positions on the ground, emphasizing the strategic limitations posed by the naval fleet.

Despite this incapability to target land-based objectives, the HMS Diamond has earned recognition for effectively countering Houthi drones that posed threats to cargo ships in the Red Sea.

Former senior defense officials have described the situation as a scandal, emphasizing the dissatisfaction with the Royal Navy's inability to deploy long-range surface-to-surface missiles. One senior figure commented, "It's clearly a scandal and completely unsatisfactory. This is what happens when the Royal Navy is forced to make crucial decisions affecting capability."

Tobias Ellwood, the former chairman of the Commons defense committee, has called for an urgent review of the incapability. He stated, "We can't continue to operate with a surface fleet that's too small and incapable of firing on land at range."

The report also notes that the Royal Navy previously utilized the Harpoon anti-ship missile, capable of targeting land-based objectives. However, the retirement of this weapon last year has left a void, with its replacement still pending. This revelation raises concerns about the effectiveness and adaptability of the Royal Navy's current capabilities in addressing evolving geopolitical challenges.