Infrared footage has captured the moment a Greek warship shot down an attack drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Gulf of Aden over the weekend. The Greek frigate Psara, participating in the EU “Aspides” operation to protect shipping routes in the Red Sea, successfully intercepted the drone targeting a commercial vessel, the Ministry of Defense reported on Sunday.
New footage of the Greek Navy downing a drone launched by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in the Gulf of Aden pic.twitter.com/vzCSIEbimR
— Winter Intel (@wntrintel) July 9, 2024
The incident, recorded by the Dutch navy support ship HNLMS Karel Doorman, showed the unmanned aerial vehicle flying low near the water’s surface before it disintegrated from autocannon fire from the Psara. This engagement marks the Psara’s first combat action in the Red Sea since replacing its sister ship, Hydra, recently.
The Hellenic National Defence General Staff (GEETHA) confirmed that the Psara utilized both its anti-drone system and its guns to engage four UAVs. Two drones were shot down, and the other two were forced to disperse.
The Psara, a Hydra-class frigate weighing 3,350 tons, was escorting a cargo ship through the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast when the attack occurred. The crew of the Karel Doorman alerted the Psara of the incoming drones and was on standby to provide medical support if needed. No injuries or material damage was reported.
Greek Minister of National Defense Nikos Dendias and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell had visited the Psara in Djibouti just days before the incident. Dendias expressed his appreciation for the crew’s dangerous mission, emphasizing the critical role of ensuring free passage for shipping to avoid market disruptions and economic consequences.
Operation Aspides, launched by the EU last year, aims to enhance maritime security along major sea lanes, including the Straits of Bab el-Mandab and the Red Sea. The mission is defensive, and Greek officials have clarified that Greece will not participate in US-led attacks against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The Greek frigate Psara, based on the MEKO 200 design and built by Hellenic Shipyards Co., is part of Greece’s efforts to contribute to international maritime security and protect vital shipping routes from threats.
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