Yemen: Five MQ-9 Reaper drones, symbolic of American drone technology prowess, have fallen prey to Yemeni Air Defenses since November 2023. Notably, approximately 10 percent of this drone type has been shot down in Yemen, considering the US Air Force's ownership of around 90 drones. What does this indicate?

Russian Website Suggests: It's Time for Yemen's Armed Forces to Invest in Air Defense Systems

The repeated interceptions of MQ-9 drones indicate that Yemeni forces are neutralizing crucial American surveillance, reconnaissance, and even assassination assets utilized by the US in its aggression against Yemen. MQ-9 drones are not mere unmanned aerial vehicles; they constitute the backbone of the American aerial fleet and are pivotal in air power due to their advanced features and technologies.

This neutralization of America's most advanced and contemporary surveillance and combat asset signifies a significant blow, as it entails the loss of crucial reconnaissance aircraft and cutting-edge technology relied upon for regional attacks.

Moreover, this neutralization signals a development in Yemen's defensive capabilities. The focus shifts to the Yemeni Air Force and Air Defense, as bringing down such technologically sophisticated aircraft is a considerable achievement, confirming the advancement of ground-to-air battle systems. These aircraft boast advanced protection systems, including jamming, electronic warfare, and stealth capabilities. Neutralizing them indicates Yemen's entry into a phase where its defensive systems have evolved extensively, capable of imposing restrictions on violating Yemeni airspace and even advanced measures to prevent the passage of American-British coalition aircraft.

Today, amidst this multifaceted development of Yemeni weaponry, there is extensive debate concerning Yemen's current air defense capabilities and how they have progressed from a state of weakness to pose a significant threat within six years. The missile force, unmanned aerial vehicles, and naval forces have suddenly become genuine sources of fear for Americans and the West.

It's worth recalling that in November, the American destroyer USS Carney shot down Yemeni drones heading towards occupied Palestinian territories. The downing of the MQ-9 reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft was a response to this action, disrupting the information-gathering aspect provided by these American drones, and showcasing Yemeni forces' capability to target American presence both in the air and maritime domains with strength.

MQ-9 Deals:

In the aftermath of the repeated downing of America's drone industry pride, Indian media recently highlighted the success of the Yemeni Armed Forces in consistently shooting down MQ-9 Reaper drones, turning Yemen into a graveyard for this aircraft type. This raises concerns in India about procuring such aircraft for its army and navy.

The Indian news site NBT published a report stating that Yemen has become a graveyard for American MQ-9 Reaper drones, with the last drone shot down being the sixth of its kind within a year.

The site also mentioned the Indian government's intention to reconsider purchasing American drones due to their vulnerability to Yemeni Air Defenses.

According to the website, India had signed a nearly billion-dollar deal to procure 30 MQ-9 drones from the United States for use in the tense environment with China and Pakistan. However, the manner in which Yemenis are shooting down these aircraft raises concerns about the possibility of the deal falling through.

Yemen's Armed Forces have managed to shoot down 9 MQ-9 Reaper drones, five of them since the beginning of the Promised Victory and Holy Jihad operation in support of Gaza, and the other four during the years of the US-Saudi aggression on Yemen.

One month after the start of the Battle of Al-Aqsa, in an operation outside Yemeni territory, the Yemeni Air Force shot down an MQ-9 reconnaissance aircraft on November 8, 2023, while it was engaged in hostile acts, surveillance, and espionage in Yemeni regional waters under Washington's protection of the Zionist entity, as part of the military support provided to the entity.

On February 19 of the past year, the Armed Forces announced the downing of an American MQ9 drone in the skies of Hodeidah province. The Air Defense forces also succeeded on April 26 in shooting down an American drone of the same type while carrying out hostile missions in the skies of Sa'adah province and another in Al-Baidha.

Yemen's Success in Downing MQ-9 Drones During US-Saudi Aggression

The streak of shooting down MQ-9 Reaper spy aircraft spans seven years, starting on October 1, 2017, when Yemeni Air Defense intercepted the first aircraft of this model over the skies of the capital Sana'a. Footage of the incident was broadcasted, signaling a significant blow to the US-Saudi aggression coalition and resulting in a decrease in MQ-9 operations and an increase in downing operations in Yemeni airspace.

Throughout the years of the US-Saudi aggression on Yemen, additional MQ-9 aircraft were downed. In June 2019, a second aircraft was shot down over the coastal province of Hodeidah, followed by a third in Dhamar province in August of the same year. In March 2021, a fourth MQ-9 drone was downed in Marib province.

The successful targeting of MQ-9 drones indicates a narrowing gap in aerial superiority between Sana'a and Washington. Yemen's determination to neutralize advanced American fighter aircraft, potentially including F-16s and F-35s, underscores its commitment to safeguarding its airspace and territory from external aggression, challenging US-led dominance in global conflicts.

To underscore the effectiveness of Yemeni Air Defenses, the Russian website Radio Sputnik advocates for Yemen to invest in air defense systems, aligning with Yemen's military aspirations.

Translated by Almasirah English website