- US naval forces in the Middle East are engaging and shooting down Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles, gaining valuable combat experience.
- The Houthis have been firing these missiles into the waters off Yemen, catching the attention of experts concerned about US conflict with China in the Pacific.
- China’s advanced anti-ship ballistic missiles pose a major threat, but the engagements with the Houthis are preparing American warship crews for potential future conflicts.
Additional Coverage:
- US Navy warships are getting their first combat experience against the kind of threats China is banking on in the Pacific (businessinsider.com)
US naval forces operating in the Middle East have been engaging and shooting down Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles, which could potentially pose a major threat to the US in a conflict with China in the Pacific. These engagements are providing valuable combat experience to American warship crews and helping prepare them for future battles. The Houthis have been firing anti-ship ballistic missiles into the waters off the coast of Yemen, prompting the US Navy to respond. These missiles have not been used in combat until recently, and their use by the Houthis has caught the attention of experts who see it as an opportunity for the US to gain experience in countering this kind of threat.
The US Navy has successfully intercepted several Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles in recent weeks. The missiles have been fired into international shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, some hitting commercial vessels and others landing in the water. The Houthis have had an arsenal of anti-ship weapons for nearly a decade, with some missiles originating from Iran. The US has taken preemptive strikes in Yemen to destroy these missiles before they can be launched. The engagements with the Houthis are giving American warship crews valuable combat experience and helping them prepare for potential future conflicts.
Anti-ship capabilities, such as these ballistic missiles, are of growing concern in discussions of great power competition, particularly with China. If the US were to engage in a conflict with China in the Indo-Pacific region, the maritime domain would likely be a key battleground. China possesses a formidable arsenal of anti-ship ballistic missiles, such as the DF-21D and DF-26, which are often referred to as “ship-killer” or “carrier-killer” missiles. These missiles could pose a major threat to US naval forces operating in the theater. China has even built mock-ups of American vessels for target practice, highlighting their interest in using these missiles for an anti-access/area-denial strategy.
Chinese anti-ship ballistic missiles have advanced guidance systems that allow them to find and hit a target with precision. In contrast, the Houthi missiles lack these capabilities and must be launched at a general geographic point, hoping to hit it. China also has a wide range of sensors and platforms available to direct the strikes of their anti-ship ballistic missiles, including ground-based radar systems, ships, drones, and satellites. The threat environment in the Pacific is more sophisticated and challenging than in the Red Sea. However, the engagements with the Houthis are still providing valuable combat experience for American warship crews, regardless of the differences in threat levels.
The US Navy’s Aegis Combat System, installed on some vessels, is capable of handling various missile types. The crew’s responsibilities include identifying and engaging potential threats, regardless of the flag they may be flying. The combat experience gained from engaging Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles is invaluable for the crews and prepares them for any conflict in the future. Regardless of the specific threat, the processes, procedures, and decisions remain the same. Combat is combat, and the crews focus on effectively addressing any object that represents a potential threat.