Houthi unmanned kamikaze boats
The frigate "Al-Madinah" during an attack, filmed from a camera on the ship's superstructure. A Houthi boat is visible at the right edge of the frame. Still from a report by Al-Arabiya TV channel
Since October last year, Yemen's Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, has been regularly attacking ships and vessels of hostile countries as they pass by. These attacks have used anti-ship missiles missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned kamikaze boats.
Recently, one of these small vessels with a combat load was able to successfully break through to a moving target and attack it. Given the Houthis' intentions and efforts, it can be assumed that such incidents will continue.
Boats in battles
At the end of January 2017, the Saudi Arabian Navy frigate Al-Madinah, which participated in the coalition operation, was patrolling off the west coast of Yemen. While performing this mission, he was attacked by kamikaze boats operated by the Houthis. One of the boats managed to break through the defenses and hit the stern of the ship. As a result, the frigate was forced to stop performing combat missions and go for medium repairs.
According to initial reports, the attack was carried out by Ansar Allah suicide bombers. However, in early February, a US Navy representative suggested that an uncrewed boat (BEC) with a demolition charge installed on it could have been involved in the attack. Despite this, available materials could not confirm this version, and all the circumstances of the attack remained unknown.
Subsequently, the first evidence of BEC in Yemen emerged. Several such specimens were spotted and photographed at sea during subsequent attempts to attack coalition ships.
Houthi BEC spotted in 2018. Photo: Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense
In October 2023, the Houthis launched an operation to counter military and commercial shipping from unfriendly countries in the Red Sea. They attack passing ships and ships using missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
On December 18, the first report of the Houthis using an unmanned attack boat (UAC) along with other assets was recorded. However, the exact results of this attack are still unknown. It was reported that one of the ships was hit and a fire broke out, but it is unknown what exactly hit it.
In the following months, several more similar attacks occurred, both successful and unsuccessful. The last known episode occurred on June 12, when the Houthi BEC attacked the Greek cargo ship Tutor, sailing under the flag of Liberia. The boat hit the stern of the vessel and stopped it from moving. Then another BEC attacked the central part of the hull, which led to the flooding of the target.
The testimony of the participants in this incident indicates the use of an unmanned kamikaze boat. This is the first confirmed success of the Houthi BEC.
Not all attacks are successful. Some boats were destroyed by enemy fire, while others were unable to reach their targets for technical reasons. For example, in January, one of the Houthi BECs was found in good condition on the western shore of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Foreign experts neutralized it and carefully studied it to determine all the features of such a threat.
It is obvious that the Houthis will continue to attack passing ships and vessels using all available means, including disposable strike BEC. It is unknown whether their share in the total number of attacks will increase. There are no exact statistics on the use of boats, so it is difficult to make even approximate forecasts. However, it is clear that they will not be abandoned.
Another BEC variant identified in 2019. Photo: Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense
Technical issues
Unfortunately, detailed technical data on the Houthi fast kamikaze boats (BEC) is not available. The creators of these boats, for obvious reasons, do not divulge their secrets, and the peculiarities of their combat use do not allow a thorough study of the equipment. Even the faulty boat discovered in January does not give the full picture. The foreign experts who studied it did not disclose all the details.
However, even the available information allows some conclusions to be drawn about the production of BECs in Yemen, as well as their characteristics and potential.
According to foreign experts, the Houthis either receive ready-made boats from Iran or assemble them themselves from foreign components. However, the ability of Yemeni specialists to establish full-fledged production is questionable. Iran probably provides the most difficult-to-manufacture components, such as engines and electronics, and the boats are assembled locally.
Available evidence and photographic and video materials show that the Ansar Allah group does not have a single kamikaze boat. There are several types of such equipment in production and operation, which differ markedly from each other. This is due to the fact that BECs are created on the basis of available watercraft, which does not contribute to their unification.
Finished BEC hulls are equipped with standard outboard motors. This power plant is easy to use, does not require special control skills and provides high speed of movement. The boat's cruising range is sufficient to reach the target without having to return.
The boat that took part in the attack on the cargo ship on June 12. The BEC is similar to a simple boat and is equipped with “dummies” to simulate the crew. Photo The Warzone
It is believed that the Houthis are equipping their boats with remote control systems. On board the unmanned kamikaze boat (BEC) there is a camera for driving and guidance, actuators on the controls, navigation devices and a radio station with direct two-way communication. The characteristics of radio-electronic systems are constantly improving.
Previously it was reported that the BECs are accompanied by a crewed boat, which is kept at a distance and probably carries a control station. Now kamikaze boats go out to sea on their own, and operators work on shore.
Depending on its size and weight, a BEC can carry up to several hundred kilograms of explosives. However, lighter warheads are also available. For example, on a boat discovered in January, there were about 110 kg of explosives in the form of three charges with their own contact fuses. Three target sensors were placed on the nose and on the sides of the hull - at least one of them should have been activated upon any contact with the target.
In recent attacks, the use of a curious camouflage has been noted: simple silhouette mannequins are installed on boats. With their help, they try to convince the enemy that there are people on board - until the last moment he should not understand that the boat is unmanned and poses a threat.
Forced decisions
Yemen lacks developed military enterprises, so the Ansar Allah movement faces limitations in the field of equipment and weapons. Although foreign aid has partially helped solve this problem, the overall situation remains difficult.
Because of this, Houthi combat units are forced to use only those types and weapons systems that are currently available. Often these are compromise solutions. A good example of this is the unmanned boats that are used today.
Greek cargo ship Tutor after attack by boats. Photo The Warzone
Yemeni-made BECs are characterized by a simple design and low cost, which makes their construction and use more affordable. They are quite effective and can hit their intended targets.
However, from the point of view of combat qualities, these boats are not ideal. They are prone to failure and vulnerable to enemy fire. All of this can affect their ability to get to their goal.
It is important to note that the BEC is not the only weapon the Houthis use to combat surface targets. Together with boats, they actively use missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles of various types. As a result, they managed to create a multi-component weapons system capable of both defending the shore and attacking targets at sea. Currently, this system and its individual components are being tested in practice.
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