The Houthis released a video of the downed Wing Loong II reconnaissance and strike drone manufactured by the People's Republic of China.
This drone, which was in service with the Saudi Air Force, crashed near the Yemeni province of Saada.
According to military experts, the incident occurred at the beginning of the task-there was still a large amount of fuel in the tanks. After falling to the ground, the wreckage was almost completely burned out.
Apparently, the device was shot down by an anti-aircraft guided missile, designated "358".
Such weapons are just designed to deal with relatively slow-moving air targets, such as UAVs, helicopters of various types and some modifications of aircraft.
They have a length of 2.74 meters, equipped with a homing head. They are launched from mobile platforms using a solid-fuel accelerator.
They have already made several successful interceptions: for example, in March of this year, a similar missile defense system destroyed a Saudi CH-4B, also purchased in China.
Since drones do not have effective means of counteraction, new losses should be expected in the future.
Alexey Moiseev