Italian destroyer shoots down Houthi drone as tensions rise in the Red Sea.

An Italian destroyer shot down a Houthi drone in a recent incident in the Red Sea. The Caio Duilio, an Italian naval vessel deployed to safeguard trade routes from drone and missile strikes by Yemen’s Houthi militia, responded in self-defense, according to the Italian minister of defense.
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The Caio Duilio, an Italian naval vessel deployed to safeguard trade routes in the Red Sea (Picture source: European Union Naval Force)

The drone, resembling those used in past attacks, was flying towards the Italian destroyer when it was intercepted approximately 6 kilometers (3.73 miles) away. Guido Crosetto, the defense minister, criticized the Houthi strikes as a breach of international law and a danger to maritime security, describing them as part of a larger hybrid warfare plan targeting multiple countries.

Italy is participating in the European Union’s Eunavfor Aspides naval mission, initiated in February to safeguard shipping in the Red Sea, providing the admiral in command for this mission. The Italian navy’s involvement coincides with rising tensions in the area, with Houthi leaders threatening to continue attacking British ships following the sinking of the UK-owned Rubymar due to damage from a Houthi missile.

The Italian destroyer Caio Duilio, of the Orizzonte class, was ordered on October 27, 2000, and entered service on September 22, 2011. With a displacement of 7,050 tons (6,940 long tons), it measures 152.9 meters (501 feet 8 inches) long and 20.3 meters (66 feet 7 inches) wide. Propelled by a CODOG system comprising GE/Avio LM2500 gas turbine engines and SEMT Pielstick diesel engines, the Caio Duilio can reach a speed of 29 knots (54 km/h) with its gas turbines.

Armed with various weapon systems, including Oto Melara 76/62 mm guns and PAAMS missiles, it can also carry an AgustaWestland AW101 or NHIndustries NH90 helicopter equipped with MU90 torpedoes or Marte Mk2/S A/S missiles. The ship is operational and active in the Italian Navy, playing a crucial role in maritime defense and security.

The involvement of Italy highlights the seriousness of the situation and the risks faced by military and commercial ships navigating the Red Sea. The Houthis have attacked ships they believe support Israeli objectives, claiming to fight alongside Hamas in the conflict with Israel. These attacks raise questions about maritime transport security and the potential environmental effects of shipwrecks and cargo spills, including fertilizers that could harm aquatic ecosystems.

The situation in the Red Sea has significant geopolitical consequences, with the Houthi conflict in Yemen seen as part of Iran's broader regional objectives. The complexity of the situation and efforts to preserve stability in the region is reflected in the engagement of numerous international entities, particularly Italy

Defense News March 2024