A report published by a top US political website, suggested that “While playing defense in the Red Sea, the U.S. Navy is likely using a Standard Missile-2 surface-to-air missile, which costs more than $2 million, to take down Houthi rebels attacks. It may also be using Standard SM-6 missiles, which cost more than $4 million.”
The report cited Some experts who have cautioned that the Houthis are enjoying the fight and the global attention — and they may not stop even if the Gaza war were to end.
It added “The cost of taking on the Houthis is also becoming more apparent as the defiant fighters show no signs of stopping and could lock the U.S. into a long conflict — and it’s throwing the world into a tough spot.”
The report noted that “In most cases, the U.S. is launching $2 million defense missiles to stop $2,000 Houthi drones, a discrepancy that the Yemeni rebel group has noted in its statements mocking Washington.
It added “the Houthis are also costing the U.S. elsewhere: taking down two roughly $32 million Reaper drones in November and another in February”.
Since late November, the Houthis have attacked commercial boats and U.S. ships dozens of times, with most of the attacks unsuccessful as the U.S. shoots down drones or anti-ship cruise missiles on a near-daily basis.