Houthi attack in the Red Sea was successfully repelled by HMS Diamond and US 10012024 CREDIT MOD.jpg
HMS Diamond is regarded as one of the most advanced warships in the world (Picture: MOD)
Navy

Action Stations: What pictures of HMS Diamond repelling latest Houthi attack show us

Houthi attack in the Red Sea was successfully repelled by HMS Diamond and US 10012024 CREDIT MOD.jpg
HMS Diamond is regarded as one of the most advanced warships in the world (Picture: MOD)

The Royal Navy describes HMS Diamond as the "jewel in the naval crown" and the Type 45 air defence destroyer has lived up to her reputation by helping to repel the largest attack by Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.

She shot down seven of the 18 attack drones using her Sea Viper missiles and guns.

The Ministry of Defence released imagery from the warship as she fought off the attack - and Forces News has taken a closer look at these images.

In the following images, the ship is pictured closed up at Action Stations.

The Sea Viper missiles were fired at night, with the crew in the images wearing full anti-flash clothing.

The personnel are also wearing what look like blue belts, these being their General Service Life Preservers.

These compact, waist-worn pouches contain a lifejacket that suits rapid response-driven maritime encounters.

Operations Room

Operations room of HMS Diamond preparing to fire her Sea Viper missiles 09012024 CREDIT MOD
The ops room of HMS Diamond as she prepared to fire her Sea Viper missiles (Picture: MOD)

The above image was taken from the operations room of HMS Diamond.

Personnel are seen here preparing to fire her Sea Viper missiles in the Red Sea.

With the Sea Viper missiles being fired at night, the Captain will be in the operations room as this is primarily from where the missile systems and the engagement are being controlled.

The Bridge

The largest Houthi attack to date in the Red Sea was successfully repelled by HMS Diamond and US 10012024 CREDIT MOD.jpg
The crew on the bridge of HMS Diamond are at Action Stations (Picture: MOD)

The above image was taken from the bridge of HMS Diamond, which is lit up as a Sea Viper bursts from its silo to eliminate a threat.

This was one of several drones or missiles that were intercepted by the destroyer in the Red Sea alongside HMS Diamond's US Navy allies protecting shipping on Operation Prosperity Guardian.

"Nearly 15% of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea. Attacks on commercial shipping jeopardise the movement of goods worldwide", said the MOD.

The Royal Navy personnel are wearing white overalls, which are used in combat situations as they include an anti-flash hood and gloves for protection against fire.

These are worn when the crew are at Action Stations, which means the ship is fully battened down for combat, with all inner doors closed within the ship in case of a hit.

Houthi attack in the Red Sea was successfully repelled by HMS Diamond and US 10012024 CREDIT MOD.jpg
HMS Diamond destroyed multiple attack drones in the Red Sea (Picture: MOD)

In the above image, you can see a closer view of the Sea Viper air defence missile system being fired.

No injuries or damage was sustained to Diamond or her crew. The ship is in the region as part of an international coalition to protect shipping.

The Sea Viper is one of the world's most advanced and powerful air defence weapons, especially when coupled with the Sampson radar on board a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer.

Its use in December, when HMS Diamond shot down a suspected attack drone that was targeting merchant ships in the Red Sea was the first time since the Gulf War in 1991 that the Royal Navy had engaged and destroyed a hostile aerial target.

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