Yesterday, the Italian Navy frigate ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591) shot down a drone in the Red Sea.
The drone had been launched from territory controlled by the Houthis in Yemen. It hasn’t been disclosed whether the drone was shot down using the ship’s artillery or a missile.
On April 30th, an Italian unit had shot down another drone attacking a merchant vessel.
To ensure freedom of navigation and security of commercial routes in the area, the Virginio Fasan ship has taken tactical command of Operation ‘Eunavfor Aspides,’ replacing the Caio Duilio destroyer. This operation is part of the European Union’s efforts to protect navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden
On 06 May, 🇮🇹 ITS FASAN, while providing close protection to MV in the Gulf of Aden, successfully repelled UAVs attacks coming from Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen and posing an imminent threat to the freedom of navigation. During this operation, ITS FASAN shot down 1 UAV. pic.twitter.com/5qk7h8pZkZ
— EUNAVFOR ASPIDES (@EUNAVFORASPIDES) May 7, 2024