Execution time2023-12-20 20:27
Protecting the arteries of the world’s logistics while tackling rapidly rising costs
“The Houthis benefit even if they defend themselves…cheap anti-aircraft defense measures should be reviewed.”
A US Navy destroyer assists a Norwegian oil tanker that is hit in the Red Sea
[AFP=연합뉴스 자료사진. 미 해군 제공. 재판매 및 DB금지]
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Jae-woo = While pro-Iranian Houthis in Yemen attacked civilian ships in the Red Sea with drones worth $2,000 (about 2.6 million won), the US military counterattacked with missiles worth $2 million (about 2.6 billion Politico, an American political media outlet, reported on the 19th (local time) that ‘big costs’ are emerging as a problem even within the US military.
POLITICO reported, “There are cost concerns about using expensive naval missiles, worth up to $2.1 million (about 2.73 billion won) per shot, to destroy Houthi drones, which are estimated to cost thousands of dollars each, according to three a Pentagon official. ” It’s getting bigger,” he said.
The Houthis are a pro-Iranian rebel force that has been attacking commercial ships such as oil tankers in the Red Sea, a major logistics route between Asia and Europe, as a sign of ‘support for Palestine’ following the Israel-Hamas war.
The US Navy shot down 38 attack drones and several missiles launched by the Houthis in the Red Sea over the past two months, and the destroyer Kani is said to have intercepted 14 drones in just one day, Saturday the 16th
It has not been revealed exactly what weapons the US military is currently using in the Red Sea.
However, according to experts, the US military is believed to be using SM-2 surface-to-air missiles, a weapon that intercepts enemy missiles and aircraft at sea, Politico reported.
This missile has a range of 92 to 130 nautical miles (170.4 to 240.8 km), and the latest model, Block IV, costs $2.1 million (about 2.74 billion won) each.
US Navy destroyers can use 5 inch guns and they are cheap, but these guns only have a range of 10 nautical miles (about 18.5 km), so they have to take risks.
The US military can also use the Seabird missile, which can attack the enemy from less than 5 nautical miles (9.3 km), but the price per missile is $1.8 million (about 2.34 billion won). Another alternative is the 20mm Close-in Weapons System (CIWS), which can target targets within 1 nautical mile (1.9 km).
A Yemeni rebel helicopter flies to seize a ship
[EPA=연합뉴스 자료사진. 후티 미디어 센터 제공. 재판매 및 DB금지]
On the other hand, the price of the Iranian one-way attack drone used by the Houthis is estimated to be around $2,000. The larger Iranian ‘Shahed-136’ drone costs about $20,000 (about 26 million won).
The US military and the Houthis are fighting with weapons that are about a thousand times different in price.
Experts have advised that the US Department of Defense should start exploring ‘low cost options’ for air defence.
“This is problematic because even if we shoot down the Houthis’ missiles and drones, the biggest benefit goes to the Houthis,” said Mick Mulroy, a former CIA officer. “We need to review a system that can shoot down drones using this method,” he stressed.
The US Department of Defense has sent massive firepower to the Red Sea region, including two aircraft carrier battle groups, the Gerald Ford in the eastern Mediterranean and the Dwight Eisenhower in the Gulf of Aden, in preparation for the expansion of the Israel-Hamas war . .
Currently, at least four destroyers and one cruiser are patrolling the area.
kydawit@yna.co.kr
Report via KakaoTalk okjebo
< 更多代(c) 周年物利,
Unauthorized reproduction/redistribution, learning and use of AI prohibited>
2023/12/20 20:27 Sent
#military #Red #Sea #dilemma.. #Houthis #fire #billion #won #missile #million #wondrone
