Royal Navy warship shoots down a missile in combat for first time since Gulf War

HMS Diamond has shot down a Houthi missile - the first combat interception of this type in more than 30 years.

The Type 45 destroyer was defending a merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden when her Sea Viper missile system was used to target the weapon which had been fired by Iranian-backed Houthis from Yemen.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told The Times: "It was the first time a Royal Navy warship had intercepted a missile in combat since the Gulf War in 1991."

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HMS Diamond is presently deployed to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to help safeguard international shipping from attacks by the Houthi rebels.

The mission is part of Operation Prosperity Guardian – a multinational coalition to protect international shipping in the region.

Diamond took over from the history-making HMS Richmond in March, after she shot down two Houthi attack drones using her Sea Ceptor missiles, becoming the first UK warship to fire them in combat.

The Type 23 frigate was in the region while HMS Diamond docked in Gibraltar to restock and resupply.

HMS Diamond had previously been deployed to the region in December and January.

The destroyer came under fire in three separate attacks by the Houthis, successfully destroying nine drones using her Sea Viper missile system and guns.