French Alsace frigate intercepts three ballistic missiles in the Red Sea

The Alsace frigate intercepted three anti-ship ballistic missiles in the Red Sea, which launched Houthis from Yemen.

This was reported by the official page of the Armed Forces of France.

It happened in the morning of March 21, 2024, when the frigate Alsace of the French Navy was patrolling in the southern part of the Red Sea.

During Operation ASPIDES, the frigate escorted civilian vessels and provided air defense in the region.

In total, three anti-ship ballistic missiles were launched from Yemen, which the frigate successfully intercepted using Aster 30 anti-aircraft missiles.

This case was the debut for the naval version of the Aster 30 to intercept a ballistic missile in a combat situation.

The Alsace frigate is a representative of the FREMM-type frigates, which is built in the configuration of an air defense frigate.

The main armament of the ship is 32 cells of the Sylver A-50 vertical launch system with Aster 15/30 anti-aircraft missiles.

The radar consists of a Härakles rotary multifunctional antenna array that provides detection of aerial and surface targets over long distances.

In addition, the radar provides priority target designation and adjustment of the missile during flight, since Aster missiles use an active radar homing.

As previously reported, on December 11, 2023, the Yemeni Houthis tried to attack the French frigate D653 Languedoc with two attack drones in the Red Sea.

Thanks to the operational actions of the ship’s crew, the drones were destroyed by Aster anti-aircraft missiles. French FREMM-type frigates also use OTO Melara Super Rapid 76mm gun mount for destroying enemy drones.