Quote from Alex bobby on June 7, 2024, 6:34 AM

New Houthi Solid-Fuel Missile Bears Similarities to Iranian Hypersonic Technology

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — Yemen's Houthi rebels have unveiled a new solid-fuel missile named "Palestine," which exhibits similarities to an earlier missile showcased by Iran, described by Tehran as capable of hypersonic speeds.

On Monday, the Houthis launched the "Palestine" missile, adorned with a warhead painted to resemble a Palestinian keffiyeh, towards the Israeli port city of Eilat in the southern Gulf of Aqaba. The attack triggered air raid sirens but did not result in any damage or injuries.

Video footage released by the Houthis on Wednesday night depicted the missile being raised on what appeared to be a mobile launcher, followed by its rapid ascent, leaving behind trails of white smoke characteristic of solid-fuel missiles. These missiles can be deployed and fired more swiftly compared to their liquid-fuel counterparts, a significant advantage for the Houthis, whose launch sites have been frequently targeted by U.S. and allied forces in recent months due to their attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. One such strike reportedly thwarted a missile launch by the Houthis.

While the Houthis claim the "Palestine" is a "locally made" missile, Yemen's capacity to manufacture advanced missile and guidance systems is highly doubtful given its status as the poorest country in the Arab world, ravaged by war since the rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, nearly a decade ago. Despite a United Nations arms embargo, Iran has consistently supplied the Houthis with weapons during the conflict. Although Tehran denies arming the Houthis, seized ships by the U.S. and its allies have uncovered Iranian weaponry, missile fuel, and components.

Iranian media covered the launch, echoing the Houthis' claim that the missile is locally manufactured. However, the design elements of the "Palestine" missile show clear resemblances to those developed by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, particularly the Fattah missile, unveiled last year by Iran. The Fattah is claimed to reach speeds of up to Mach 15, or 15 times the speed of sound, with a range of up to 1,400 kilometers. While this range falls short of reaching Eilat from Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen, missiles can be modified to extend their range.

In March, Russia's state-run RIA Novosti news agency cited an anonymous source claiming the Houthis possessed a hypersonic missile. Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted, "While we cannot say for sure what exact version the 'Palestine' corresponds to, we can say with high certainty that it is an advanced and precision-guided (Guard)-developed solid propellant missile provided by Iran."

When asked about the resemblance between the "Palestine" missile and its own arsenal, Iran's mission to the United Nations asserted that Tehran "has not engaged in any activities in contravention" of U.N. resolutions. The mission further stated, "Yemen's military power has grown since the war began ... a fact rooted in the internal capacity and prowess of Ansar Allah," using another name for the Houthis.

Hypersonic weapons, which travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, present significant challenges to missile defense systems due to their high speed and maneuverability. Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow a predictable trajectory, hypersonic missiles can alter their flight path, making interception considerably more difficult. Both China and the United States are reportedly pursuing hypersonic technology, while Russia claims to have already deployed such weapons.

The exact maneuverability and speed capabilities of the "Palestine" missile remain uncertain. The introduction of this missile by the Houthis underscores the escalating sophistication of their arsenal, potentially altering the strategic calculations in the region and complicating efforts to neutralize their missile threats.

Unveiling of the "Palestine" missile by Yemen's Houthi rebels underscores the growing sophistication of their military capabilities, likely bolstered by Iranian technology. This development poses significant challenges for regional security and missile defense systems, highlighting the complex and evolving nature of the conflict in the Middle East. As the Houthis continue to upgrade their arsenal amidst ongoing hostilities, the strategic dynamics in the region are poised to become increasingly intricate and volatile, complicating efforts for stability and peace.