Guided Missiles Fired from German Frigate Miss U.S. MQ-9 Reaper Drone

Two SM-2 guided missiles, launched by the German Navy's Hessen frigate at a U.S. Army MQ-9 Reaper drone, missed their target over the Red Sea on Monday.

The drone, not affiliated with the anti-Houthi coalition activities involving the U.S., Germany, and several NATO allies, was on a separate anti-terror mission operated by the U.S. Army. However, Hessen was duty-bound to protect commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed to Der Spiegel that the Hessen frigate, part of an EU mission to safeguard international shipping from Houthi attacks, opened fire when efforts to identify an unknown drone failed. Despite Germany's request for information from allies and receiving no response, SM-2 missiles were launched at the now-identified Reaper. The Reaper's Identification Friend-Foe (IFF) System was reportedly disabled, preventing recognition.

It is intriguing how the highly accurate SM-2 guided missiles, with a unit price of $2.5 million, could miss the propeller-driven MQ-9 flying at a relatively low speed. As per reports, both missiles crashed into the sea due to a "technical defect.”

It must be noted that a fortnight ago, a missile launched by the Houthis brought down another MQ-9 drone in the vicinity of Hodeidah, Yemen.