The narrative centers on a blend of older Iranian missiles and modernized Chinese and Soviet designs, many of which have been refurbished for current use. The exact count of missiles in Houthis bases across Yemen remains undisclosed, yet Western naval forces monitoring the region have a clear understanding of their categories. Reports from mission ships and allied units indicate a spectrum of anti-ship and ground-attack missiles that the group has prepared to counter and threaten. These systems have evolved as the conflict progresses, with ships and bases in the Red Sea region tracking deployments in recent weeks.
Naval observers in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including units from allied missions such as a Spanish frigate patrolling for maritime security, have identified anti-ship missiles in the Houthi arsenal. These include cruise missiles with winged airframes designed for extended flight ranges and ballistic missiles launched on high-angle trajectories to maximize reach. The early phase of the Houthi rebellion featured the integration of Soviet-era air defense missiles adapted for new roles, signaling a shift in capabilities over time. During that period, Yemeni forces held missiles with notable range and a legacy of Soviet manufacturing that preceded the civil conflict.
As the rebellion evolved, Yemen’s Shiite militias built up a stockpile of long-range weapons, drawing on foreign sources in the region. The United States and the United Kingdom have been monitoring efforts aimed at neutralizing these arsenals as part of broader regional security concerns. The strategic objective has been to disrupt the militia’s ability to threaten maritime and coastal targets, particularly near Bab el-Mandeb and associated corridors used for international shipping.
Evolution
In 2014, credible assessments noted an initial Iranian contribution involving the conversion of older Soviet-era surface-to-air and ballistic missiles into usable models, a trend confirmed by periodic analyses from defense publications. About nine years later, in September, marks the ninth anniversary of pivotal events that intensified the conflict. The Houthis showcased long-range ballistic missiles at a military parade, presenting a variant of Iranian Ghadr designs with ranges approaching two thousand kilometers, underscoring a sizable expansion in the group’s strategic reach.
A photograph accompanying the period’s coverage showed a missile launch attributed to Iran, underscoring the contested and sensitive nature of the assets involved. In recent assessments, a missile known as Asef appears as an Iranian-converted Fateh derivative, with a documented range around 300 kilometers. Experts describe Sayad and other designs as among the more potent in the Houthis’ inventory, offering combinations of accuracy and extended range. Some models are cited as having radar-guided capabilities with ranges nearing eight hundred kilometers, highlighting improved targeting and endurance. Other salvaged or refurbished Chinese designs, such as variants of the C-801 family, have also been integrated and adapted for operations off Yemen’s coast, sharpening the group’s maritime threat profile with coastal strike potential limited by proximity to shorelines.
Modern systems
The current wave of maritime attacks toward destinations in Israel and beyond has not relied exclusively on missiles. The Houthis have also employed unmanned aerial vehicles, including autonomous and semi-autonomous drones used to assault ships. Among the better-documented Iranian-inspired drone platforms are several iterations of the Samad series and models aligned with Shahed-type designs. Reports indicate that these systems can operate at significant stand-off ranges, with some capabilities claimed to extend toward thousands of kilometers under certain conditions. Houthi spokespeople have emphasized local maintenance and upgrading efforts for both missiles and drones, noting that technicians have received training across multiple theaters over several years to sustain and improve this arsenal.
Web-based and military assessments from 2016 through 2023 recount a substantial effort by multiple national navies to interdict arms shipments and curb the flow of advanced weaponry destined for the region. Analysts note a broad mix of missiles, rockets, and guidance technologies, with some shipments featuring components essential to modernizing and enhancing older designs. The ongoing arms provenance and transfer dynamics have been a focal point of regional security discussions, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions and the persistent risk of escalation in maritime corridors.
Among the longer-range ballistic offerings cited are generations derived from Iranian modules, including systems with nominal ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The broader consequence is a perceived intensification of Red Sea militarization, particularly around chokepoints like Bab el-Mandeb. Observers warned that international efforts, including a prospective cooperative operation among European partners, could influence the balance of power in the area, though such plans would need sustained collaboration and clear mandates to be effective.