Watch: HMS Richmond shoots down two Houthi drones in Sea Ceptor first

HMS Richmond's crew has used the ship's Sea Ceptor missiles to shoot down two Houthi drones in the Red Sea.

It marks the first surface-to-air engagement and use of Sea Ceptor missiles by a Type 23 frigate.

Richmond and her international allies co-operated and sustained no injuries or damage, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.

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The MOD added that personnel on board HMS Richmond acted in an "exemplary manner".

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: "The UK and our allies will continue to take the action necessary to save lives and protect freedom of navigation."

HMS Richmond was deployed to the Red Sea to help safeguard international shipping from attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, as HMS Diamond returned for restock and resupply.

Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond eliminated several drones as part of the international Operation Prosperity Guardian – a task force that was set up to protect global commercial shipping amid the attacks.

She used her Sea Viper missile system to destroy nine drones – and her flank markings denote the kills.

The Houthis, based in Yemen, have claimed their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea are in response to events in Gaza, although the merchant vessels targeted have often had little or no link to Israel.

The attacks on vessels using the Red Sea have resulted in some ships diverting around southern Africa rather than using the Suez Canal between Europe and Asia, adding to costs and creating a potential global economic risk.

US Central Command said American and coalition forces acted after determining the large-scale uncrewed aerial vehicle attack presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels.