Watch: Houthi drone downed – not by missile, but by machine gun from French helicopter

An attack drone launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen has been shot down before it could hit its target – not with anti-aircraft missiles, but with a machine gun.

The French armed forces posted a video on X of an AS565 Panther helicopter, which had been deployed from a frigate, tracking the UAV before opening fire.

Two short bursts of gunfire are heard, seemingly of 7.62mm calibre fired by either an FN Minimi or FN MAG – the French variant of the British GPMG.

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The exact moment the drone is struck is not shown in the video.

However, the crew can be heard saying what is roughly translated as "weapon locked on, ready to fire, confirmed visual, hit".

Attacks by Iranian-aligned Houthi militiamen on ships in and around the Red Sea over the past few weeks have slowed trade between Asia and Europe.

The Houthis, who control the most populous part of Yemen, say their attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians during the conflict with Israel in Gaza.