US Navy seizes Iranian missile components bound for Yemen, likely to be redirected to Ukraine

The U.S. Naval Central Command made an announcement on 15 February, 2024, that their fast patrol cutter of the Sentinel type, number WPC 1147, intercepted a fishing boat. This boat was discovered to be carrying approximately 200 crates filled with components of medium-range ballistic missiles, unmanned sea/air drone parts, military-grade communication and network hardware, anti-tank launchers, and explosive materials.

This interception represents another in a series of stopped weapon consignments originating from Iran and aimed for Houthi rebels in Yemen who have been consistently attacking vessels in the Red Sea in recent months. It may be surmised that the seized Iranian weaponry will, as has happened previously, be supplied to Ukraine.

In addition to the previously mentioned items, disassembled Dehlavieh launchers, essentially Iranian versions of the Russian 9M133-1 Kornet-E system, were noteworthy. These launchers allow the utilisation of missiles with a range of roughly 3 miles (equivalent to 5 kilometres), able to penetrate more than 3 feet (approximately 1 metre) of armoured steel even if it's protected by rod armour or reactive armour.

These are exceptionally hazardous missiles. Up till now, the only efficient defence against them is the Trophy active defence system which neutralises them at a safe distance from the armour. This system has already been deployed numerous times during conflicts in the Gaza Strip and on the Israeli-Lebanese border.

However, the published pictures do not reveal any missile containers that presumably have been or were meant to be transported by other means. Only the launchers with sight modules are visible, incorporating a thermal camera and laser beam emitter used for missile surveillance.

This is an efficient, though demanding method because it requires steering the missile until the moment of collision. This presents a risk for the shooter, because a rocket moving at just over 820 feet per second (about 250 metres per second) takes approximately 20 seconds to hit a target 3 miles (5 kilometres) away. In that interval, a tank could potentially barrage the launcher's location with high explosive shells, or an inexperienced operator could simply miss the target.