Pentagon prioritises £910m for missile defence in Red Sea
The Pentagon plans to allocate approximately £910 million for activities in the Red Sea region and to replenish its missile stockpile used in defence against attacks by Iran and its allies, reports Bloomberg, citing budget documents.
Expenses related to the maintenance of American military units and the interception of drones and missiles launched by Iran or Houthi rebels from Yemen are detailed in two budget documents, notes Bloomberg. These expenses have been presented to the US Congress and published online.
Replenishing missile stocks
The documents indicate that about £145 million will be allocated to replenish the stock of RTX Corp. Standard Missile-3 Block 1B, and about £6.5 million to purchase heat-seeking AIM-X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
The largest portion of the expenditure is £228 million for unforeseen maintenance work on the USS Bataan amphibious assault ship and ships from the USS Eisenhower carrier strike group, which operated in the Red Sea, notes Bloomberg.
Additional purchases
The Pentagon also plans to spend about £12,500 to replenish flare stocks, which are used in self-defence operations.
In April, with support from the US, the United Kingdom, and other countries, Israel shot down around 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran.
Houthi attacks
Houthi rebels, controlling the most populated parts of Yemen, have been attacking commercial ships in the waters off the coast of the country and Western warships since November last year in solidarity with Palestinians fighting the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip.
The rebels' actions have disrupted global shipping in the region, forcing shipping companies to change transport routes.
In response to attacks threatening maritime transport, American and British forces have been conducting airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since January.
