Iran, and now the Houthis in Yemen, have a wide range of weapons with which to strike ships. From traditional anti-ship missiles to the recently appeared anti-ship ballistic missiles and remotely operated kamikaze boats.
- it says in the edition of Covert Shores.
As noted, UAVs, unlike RCC, are much easier to shoot down, and they have a smaller warhead. However, they are much cheaper and especially suitable for hitting objects such as merchant ships. At the same time, drones can be delivered to the target area by aircraft even before the target is identified.
It is indicated that on December 23, 2023, the UAV damaged the Israeli-owned tanker MV Chem Pluto. It is noteworthy that the ship was far away in the Arabian Sea when it was heading towards India, staying far beyond the horizon of the coastal radars. The US military said the drone was launched from Iran.
- it is explained in the Western press.
A year earlier, on November 15, 2022, another tanker linked to Israel, Pacific Zircon, was similarly damaged off the coast of Oman. According to the author, the similarities between the two attacks are striking.
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Image source: topwar.ru [/blimg]
According to him, both MV Chem Pluto and Pacific Zircon vessels were struck aft in the area where the transom connects to the deck. It is possible that the UAV was aiming at the steering device.
- the author believes.
As he believes, when hitting the ship from the side, the probability of a miss is higher. Although oil tankers are quite large, the guidance system can fail. It's much easier to find a wake and then fly along it until you collide with a ship.
It is indicated that Shahed-136 has become well known due to its massive use by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
- it is noted in the publication.
According to the author, hitting a stationary target in Ukraine is very different from hitting a moving ship hundreds of miles off the coast. Even an oil tanker is very small in the vast ocean. To complete the mission, reconnaissance of the target's location will be required, and the drone needs to aim at the object during the attack stage. The first is the same for any anti-ship weapon and can be provided by patrol aircraft or fishing vessels. Or, as in the case of the attack on MV Chem Pluto, thanks to AIS (automated information system) data transmitting the location of the vessel.
- the author believes.