Houthi Media Center
- The Houthis unveiled a new torpedo, nicknamed Calamity.
- The weapon resembles a US sea drone the group captured years ago, analysts told BI.
- There are prior examples of US weaponry being turned against it, with help from Iran.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen have a new torpedo to show off — and it looks familiar.
The militant group .
The attacks have disrupted global shipping, adding risk to a pivotal route. Freight rates doubled to nearly $4,000 per container in January and then jumped to over $5,900 in July, according to maritime research consultancy Drewry.
Rates as of this writing were roughly $3,095, compared to an average of $1,300 per trip in October last year, per Drewry’s index.
The US Navy and allied navies diverted significant resources to counter the Houthis and increase confidence in the route.
Albasha, the analyst, said the Calamity looks too small to seriously bother a heavily armored US warship.
However, even a small torpedo can do harm if it hits right.
“A well-placed strike can cause critical flooding, disable essential systems, or impair the ship’s ability to maneuver, forcing it out of action,” he said.
“Though unlikely to sink a warship, such attacks can render it temporarily inoperable, impacting fleet operations and morale.”
