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NATO warships in the Red Sea fight are proving that deck guns can fight a drone war
US and European warships have used their deck guns to destroy Houthi drones at close range. It's good to know for future drone fights.
US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob I. Allison
- NATO warships deployed to the Red Sea have used their deck guns to shoot down Houthi drones.
- The deck guns fire cheaper ammunition than expensive surface-to-air missiles.
- Former US Navy officers told BI that the engagements prove this weapon is still very much relevant.
NATO warships deployed to the Red Sea have been using their deck weapons, from autocannons to naval artillery guns, to shoot down Houthi drones over the past few months.
The engagements demonstrate that naval deck guns are not only still relevant but also offer warships a more cost-effective way to destroy drones than expensive surface-to-air missiles, retired US Navy officers told Business Insider.
Earlier this month, the French military released footage of one of its frigates using a deck gun to destroy a Houthi drone above the Red Sea. The weapon appears to be the Italian-made 76mm naval autocannon, in service since the 1960s. It fired several rounds into the distance, causing a target to explode in the sky.
After the first shot, a small object can be seen flying past the line of sight. The French said this was the rubber cover that protects the gun barrel but "still allows for emergency firing," suggesting that the hostile drone was unexpected and particularly close.
The kill marks the latest but not the first disclosure of a NATO warship using its deck gun to take out a Houthi drone, showcasing the value of these weapons in a maritime drone fight. The range of naval guns is typically within around 10 miles, close enough that any targeting failure or misfire could leave the warship dangerously exposed.
