Yemeni Air Defenses Triumph: Seven MQ-9 Reaper Drones Downed
Yemen’s advanced air defenses continue to torment American MQ-9 Reaper drones with locally developed weapons, baffling and terrifying the Americans.
The MQ-9 Reaper is among the latest American unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), featuring high-tech specifications, including an advanced radar system, high-resolution cameras, and sensors capable of scanning a 360-degree area. The aircraft, along with its control room, missiles, and other equipment, is valued at $30 million.
The drone’s missions range from surveillance and espionage to striking ground targets. It can carry laser-guided missiles and bombs and possesses an advanced radar system that transmits data to multiple aircraft or ground locations. The MQ-9 measures 11 meters in length with a wingspan of 20 meters, has a flight range of about 3,000 kilometers, and can reach altitudes of up to 45,000 feet with a maximum speed of around 240 kilometers per hour. It can operate in harsh weather conditions and fly for up to 40 hours.
Since the Yemeni armed forces engaged in the “Promised Victory and Sacred Jihad” in support of the fighters in Gaza, they have managed to shoot down seven drones of this type as follows:
November 8, 2023:
Yemeni armed forces’ air defenses downed an American MQ-9 Reaper on November 8, 2023, while it was conducting hostile activities and reconnaissance over Yemeni territorial waters as part of U.S. military support for the Israeli entity. The armed forces confirmed in a statement that the drone was downed with an appropriate weapon, asserting their legitimate right to defend the country and counter all hostile threats. They also affirmed that enemy movements would not deter them from continuing military operations against the Israeli entity in support of the Palestinian cause.
February 19, 2024:
On February 19, 2024, the military media distributed footage of the downing of an American MQ-9 Reaper in Al-Hodeidah Governorate. The footage showed the precise tracking of the American drone and the moment it was targeted directly with a locally-made surface-to-air missile, leading to its fiery descent and debris on the ground.
April 26, 2024:
The armed forces added a new achievement on April 26, 2024, by downing an MQ-9 Reaper in the skies of Saada Governorate while it was executing hostile missions, targeting it with an appropriate missile.
May 16, 2024:
On the evening of May 16, 2024, the Yemeni armed forces announced the downing of a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone conducting hostile activities in the skies of Marib Governorate, the fourth such drone shot down since the beginning of the “Promised Victory and Sacred Jihad” in support of Gaza. The armed forces’ spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, stated that the drone was targeted with a locally-made surface-to-air missile.
May 21, 2024:
On May 21, 2024, the Yemeni armed forces announced the downing of an American MQ-9 Reaper drone in the skies of Al-Bayda Governorate in central Yemen. A statement from the armed forces noted that the downing of the drone was a victory for the Palestinian cause and a response to the American-British aggression against Yemen. The statement emphasized the continued development of Yemeni defense capabilities to counter the aggression and maintain military operations in support of the oppressed Palestinian people until the blockade is lifted and the aggression on Gaza stops.
May 29, 2024:
On the evening of May 29, 2024, military media distributed footage of the air defenses shooting down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone in the skies of Marib Governorate. The footage showed the tracking and monitoring of the drone, followed by the launch of a locally-made surface-to-air missile that hit the drone directly, causing it to fall.
August 4, 2024:
On August 4, 2024, the Yemeni armed forces announced the successful downing of an American MQ-9 Reaper drone with a locally-made surface-to-air missile while it was conducting hostile activities in the skies of Saada Governorate. Brigadier General Yahya Saree confirmed that this was the seventh drone of its kind to be downed since the beginning of the “Promised Victory” campaign, praising the courage and steadfastness of the fighters in the face of aggression.
Pride of American Industry:
The MQ-9 Reaper, considered a pride of American industry, has become a significant embarrassment for Washington. A Russian site earlier suggested that it is time to purchase Yemeni armed forces’ air defenses. The repeated downing of MQ-9 drones indicates that Yemeni forces have successfully neutralized a critical weapon for espionage, surveillance, and even targeted killings, which the U.S. uses in its aggression against Yemen. The MQ-9 drones are not simple UAVs; they form the backbone of the U.S. aerial fleet and a cornerstone of its air power due to their advanced features and technologies.
The neutralization of this advanced combat surveillance element points to the development of Yemeni defense capabilities, particularly air defense systems. Downing such complex aircraft highlights the significant advancement of Yemeni ground-to-air systems, suggesting an era where Yemeni air defenses can impose restrictions on the U.S.-British aggression alliance’s aerial operations in Yemeni airspace.
In light of the continuous downing of America’s premier drones, Indian media recently reported that Yemen’s repeated success in shooting down American MQ-9 Reaper drones has made Yemen a graveyard for this type of UAV, raising concerns in India about purchasing these drones for their military and naval forces.
The history of downing MQ-9 Reaper drones dates back seven years, specifically to October 1, 2017, when Yemeni air defenses shot down the first of such drones during hostile operations over the capital, Sanaa. The footage of that downing was broadcast, delivering a shock to the U.S.-Saudi coalition, resulting in a decline in the use of this drone type with the increasing frequency of its downings in Yemeni skies.