Royal Navy ship shoots down ballistic missile in combat for first time

A Royal Navy warship has shot down an enemy ballistic missile in combat for the first time, Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, has said.

HMS Diamond intercepted the weapon, which was fired by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels at a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden, on Wednesday.

The Type 45 destroyer’s Sea Viper missile system swung into action to down the Iranian-made missile after it was fired from nearby Yemen.

It was the first time a Navy warship had shot down a missile of any kind in combat since the Gulf War in 1991, when HMS Gloucester, a Type 42 destroyer, took out an Iraqi Silkworm missile that had been fired at a US warship.

“I want to thank the brave crew of HMS Diamond for her vital role in saving innocent lives and protecting international shipping from illegal Houthi attacks,” Mr Shapps said.

Commander Peter Evans, the commanding officer of HMS Diamond, said: “I’m immensely proud of the ship’s company, whose professionalism meant they were able to react in a split second to defeat the threat today. As ever, Diamond is ready to protect seafarers and ensure the freedom of the seas.”