British forces have joined the US in targeting sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen in retaliation drone and missile attacks on commercial shipping since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
In the wake of the strikes, Sky News profiles the military hardware and weapons the UK has at its disposal in the region.
Follow live: Footage shows moment RAF jet strikes – as Houthis vow to retaliate’
HMS Diamond
Diamond’s sleek lines are designed for stealth at sea
The Type 45 destroyer has already been engaged in downing drones and missiles fired by Houthis against civilian ships in the Red Sea.
Diamond’s sleek lines are designed for stealth at sea, appearing virtually invisible on enemy radar.
HMS Diamond, which has cutting-edge military sensors to detect and track multiple targets, is equipped with 48 Sea Viper missiles – long-range, precision weapons capable of reaching supersonic speeds of Mach 4.5 and each costing more than £1m.
The weapon system can launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds and guide up to 16 missiles simultaneously.
Other armaments include a 4.5in main gun, 30mm cannon, 20mm rapid-fire Gatling guns, anti-ship Harpoon missiles and an anti-torpedo defence system.
The destroyer, which can reach 30 knots and has a range of 7,000 nautical miles, is equipped with a distinctive SAMPSON radar system – a large, spherical surveillance device that can detect and track threats from over 250 miles away, as well as guide friendly missiles.
Unlike conventional radars, it can perform several functions at once, has immense range and accuracy and is immune to enemy jamming.
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