Breaking News: UK Air Force Typhoon FGR4 Fighter Jets Destroy Houthi Drone Facility in Strategic Yemen Strike
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The British Royal Air Force, in coordination with United States forces, conducted a precision airstrike on April 29, 2025, targeting a Houthi drone production facility in Yemen. The strike, carried out with Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs, forms part of a wider campaign to degrade the Houthis’ capability to launch attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
British Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 aircraft return to base following precision strikes on Houthi military facilities in Yemen, as part of a previous mission conducted on 4 February 2024. The RAF continues to support international efforts to protect maritime security in the Red Sea. (Picture source: British MoD)
The target, located approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, was identified through joint intelligence as a critical drone manufacturing hub. These drones have been central to the Houthi campaign of maritime attacks that began in November 2023 and have since resulted in civilian casualties and a sharp decline in global shipping traffic through the region. The strike was executed with Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 multirole fighter aircraft, supported by Voyager air-to-air refueling tankers. The mission was conducted after dark to minimize the risk to civilians and non-military infrastructure, in line with the UK’s strict operational standards. All aircraft and personnel involved returned safely.
This airstrike continues the United Kingdom’s active role in the joint U.S.-UK military effort known as “Operation Rough Rider,” initiated in January 2024 in response to the rapid escalation of Houthi threats in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. The operation began with coordinated strikes on radar, missile, and UAV sites and has evolved into a sustained campaign to ensure the safety of one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.
In a notable earlier phase of this campaign, on February 24, 2024, the British Royal Air Force carried out a deliberate strike against additional Houthi military positions. That mission involved four Typhoon FGR4 jets supported by two Voyager tankers. Paveway IV bombs were once again employed to destroy targets used to facilitate the Houthis’ persistent attacks on commercial shipping. Rigorous intelligence analysis and strike planning were applied, and the attack was conducted at night to mitigate any potential harm to civilians, underscoring the RAF’s emphasis on precision and accountability.
The Typhoon FGR4 fighter jet remains the cornerstone of the RAF’s combat capability. Designed for multirole performance, it excels in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The aircraft is equipped with the CAPTOR-E AESA radar, PIRATE IRST system, and a high-performance defensive aids suite, giving it excellent situational awareness and survivability in contested airspace. Its weapons suite includes Meteor and AMRAAM long-range missiles, ASRAAM short-range missiles, Storm Shadow and Brimstone missiles, and Paveway-series precision-guided bombs.
Paveway IV, the munition used in the April 2025 operation, is a 500-pound (227 kg) bomb that integrates dual-mode guidance—GPS/INS and laser homing—for high accuracy in all conditions. Its programmable fuzing and low-collateral damage design make it especially suitable for missions in sensitive or urban environments, where precision is essential.
The continued collaboration between British and American forces in Yemen reflects a robust strategic alliance centered on maritime security and deterrence. With Red Sea shipping traffic down by over 55% due to Houthi aggression, the stakes remain high. These operations serve both to disrupt the Houthis’ military logistics and to reassure the international community of the coalition’s resolve.
As the security situation in the Red Sea remains volatile, the British Royal Air Force is expected to continue playing a key role in multinational efforts to defend international maritime interests, using advanced platforms and precision munitions to address emerging threats with professionalism and decisive force.
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The British Royal Air Force, in coordination with United States forces, conducted a precision airstrike on April 29, 2025, targeting a Houthi drone production facility in Yemen. The strike, carried out with Typhoon FGR4 fighter jets using Paveway IV precision-guided bombs, forms part of a wider campaign to degrade the Houthis’ capability to launch attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
British Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 aircraft return to base following precision strikes on Houthi military facilities in Yemen, as part of a previous mission conducted on 4 February 2024. The RAF continues to support international efforts to protect maritime security in the Red Sea. (Picture source: British MoD)
The target, located approximately 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, was identified through joint intelligence as a critical drone manufacturing hub. These drones have been central to the Houthi campaign of maritime attacks that began in November 2023 and have since resulted in civilian casualties and a sharp decline in global shipping traffic through the region. The strike was executed with Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4 multirole fighter aircraft, supported by Voyager air-to-air refueling tankers. The mission was conducted after dark to minimize the risk to civilians and non-military infrastructure, in line with the UK’s strict operational standards. All aircraft and personnel involved returned safely.
This airstrike continues the United Kingdom’s active role in the joint U.S.-UK military effort known as “Operation Rough Rider,” initiated in January 2024 in response to the rapid escalation of Houthi threats in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. The operation began with coordinated strikes on radar, missile, and UAV sites and has evolved into a sustained campaign to ensure the safety of one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors.
In a notable earlier phase of this campaign, on February 24, 2024, the British Royal Air Force carried out a deliberate strike against additional Houthi military positions. That mission involved four Typhoon FGR4 jets supported by two Voyager tankers. Paveway IV bombs were once again employed to destroy targets used to facilitate the Houthis’ persistent attacks on commercial shipping. Rigorous intelligence analysis and strike planning were applied, and the attack was conducted at night to mitigate any potential harm to civilians, underscoring the RAF’s emphasis on precision and accountability.
The Typhoon FGR4 fighter jet remains the cornerstone of the RAF’s combat capability. Designed for multirole performance, it excels in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The aircraft is equipped with the CAPTOR-E AESA radar, PIRATE IRST system, and a high-performance defensive aids suite, giving it excellent situational awareness and survivability in contested airspace. Its weapons suite includes Meteor and AMRAAM long-range missiles, ASRAAM short-range missiles, Storm Shadow and Brimstone missiles, and Paveway-series precision-guided bombs.
Paveway IV, the munition used in the April 2025 operation, is a 500-pound (227 kg) bomb that integrates dual-mode guidance—GPS/INS and laser homing—for high accuracy in all conditions. Its programmable fuzing and low-collateral damage design make it especially suitable for missions in sensitive or urban environments, where precision is essential.
The continued collaboration between British and American forces in Yemen reflects a robust strategic alliance centered on maritime security and deterrence. With Red Sea shipping traffic down by over 55% due to Houthi aggression, the stakes remain high. These operations serve both to disrupt the Houthis’ military logistics and to reassure the international community of the coalition’s resolve.
As the security situation in the Red Sea remains volatile, the British Royal Air Force is expected to continue playing a key role in multinational efforts to defend international maritime interests, using advanced platforms and precision munitions to address emerging threats with professionalism and decisive force.
