The Houthis have underwater drones now

The Houthis have a new weapon to use in their attacks on ships in the Red Sea; Iranian-made uncrewed underwater vessels (UUVs). Basically, drone torpedoes.

There’s a silver lining to the attacks in the Red Sea

U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. military operations in the region, said U.S. naval forces took out the submersible threat, along with three cruise missiles and a suicide drone on Feb. 17.

Downing cruise missiles and one-way drones is standard fare for U.S. and U.K. sailors in the Red Sea nowadays. However, according to CENTCOM, this is the first time the Houthis have used an underwater drone. Iran, on the other hand, has been honing its skills in the arena for years.

Feb. 17 Summary of Red Sea activities

TAMPA, Fla. – Between the hours of 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Sanaa time), Feb. 17, CENTCOM successfully conducted five self-defense strikes against three mobile anti-ship cruise missiles, one unmanned underwater vessel (UUV), and one unmanned… pic.twitter.com/TwR9RUmMMu

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 18, 2024

In addition to a couple of mini submarines, Iran’s navy has some larger subs capable of launching cruise missiles. However, the Iranian navy is much smaller than the U.S. fleet, and it relies more on unconventional tactics to try and affect the battlespace, like unmanned or uncrewed vehicles.

Whether those vehicles fly, float, drive, or dive, Iran makes them. In a video previously released by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, sailors demonstrated the use of a torpedo-shaped uncrewed submersible. The UUV moved slower than other torpedoes but is said to have a longer range. Some models appear to be guided by a wire, similar to the TOW missiles used by Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.

CENTCOM didn’t elaborate on what type of UUV the Houthis used, but there’s little doubt it was supplied by Iran. Maritime expert H I Sutton said based on his analysis of images which show a seized weapons shipment from Iran to Yemen, many of the components needed to make the Iranian UUV were included in the shipment.

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And it’s not like the Houthis have any ability to design or deploy these weapons on their own. Without Iranian backing, the Houthis would have no power to speak of. So, the use of UUVs in the Red Sea is just the latest example that Iran is stepping up attacks against U.S. personnel.

There are now multiple reports that both IRGC commanders and leaders from Hezbollah are on the ground in Yemen, fighting shoulder to shoulder with the Houthi militants.

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While the presence of Iranian troops isn’t having Tehran’s desired effect against naval vessels, commercial shipping vessels are much less prepared for the onslaught. The continued attacks on ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters are driving up costs for all sorts of things. Global oil prices are hovering around three-month highs and will likely go up even more.

In potentially the biggest victory so far for the Houthis, a Belize-flagged cargo ship called the Rubymar was hit by a Houthi missile off the coast of Yemen. The ship, which is registered in the U.K., was packed with fertilizer. So, the crew abandoned it quickly.

A Houthi spokesman said the Rubymar sank, and while there was no immediate confirmation of its fate, the British government confirmed it was taking on water.

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Reuters contributed to this report.