How did Iran manage to build the Houthi arsenal?

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have been able to build and develop their missile arsenal with guidance from Iran, which has given them a qualitative advantage over their adversaries. The Houthis now boast of possessing guided and accurate missiles, including cruise missiles.

The United Nations peace plan for Yemen aims to deprive the armed Houthi movement in the country of its missile arsenal, which Western and Yemeni sources say includes dozens, and possibly hundreds, of missiles supplied by Iran.

Yemeni, Western, and Iranian officials have stated that Iran has increased the transfer of missiles and other weapons to the group in recent months.

Houthi missiles also pose a threat to ships passing through the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait in the Red Sea. In recent weeks, the Houthis have launched attacks using drones and missiles targeting ships near the southern end of the Red Sea at the Bab El-Mandab strait. These attacks have prompted the United States to form an international alliance comprising over 20 countries to protect navigation in the Red Sea.

In this report, we review the Houthi arsenal that Iran has supplied:

Al-Najm Al-Thaqib

In May 2016, the Houthis presented a missile system called Al-Najm Al-Thaqib 1 and 2, which is launched from single and bilateral fixed and mobile platforms.

The range of Al-Najm Al-Thaqib 1 is 45 kilometers, and it is equipped with an explosive warhead weighing 50 kilograms of explosive material, and the length of the missile is three meters.

Al-Thaqib 2 (75 kilometers long) is equipped with a 75-kg explosive warhead made of high explosives. It is similar to Iranian Oqab missiles, and the missiles owned by Hezbollah also resemble the Oqab 1 and Fajr 3.

Al Sarkah

It has a range of 17 km and carries a head weighing 15 kg and a length of 4.2 m. It carries a detonator in front and another in the back that can be detonated remotely.

Zelzal 1 and 2

Houthis announced the manufacture of Zelzal 1 and 2 platforms, which are a type of portable, unguided Iranian defensive missiles. Zelzal 2, which is an alternative to the 610 mm platforms of the original Zelzal, was transferred to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard agents of Hezbollah.

Somoud, Oqab

Its length is four meters, its diameter is 555 mm, and the warhead weighs 300 kilometres

The total weight of the missile is one ton, and the missile's range is 32 kilometers

The number of fragments is 1000, and there is an Iranian missile that matches the specifications

I was used in the Iran-Iraq war by Hezbollah in Fallujah

Falcon 2 (Saqr 2) : Ground to Air

Length 600 cm, wingspan 180 cm, range up to 150 km

High-explosive warhead with a height of more than 10 km

Countering all types of reconnaissance aircraft: Countering winged cruise missiles

The missile has a high ability to confront jamming and electronic warfare means

Quds 1

A fixed-speed guided missile with a range of 140 km - 180 km was used in the Barakah nuclear plant attack in the UAE.

Quds 3

A long-range, liquid-fueled ground-to-surface ballistic missile

High accuracy in hitting targets, and cannot be detected by radars.

Miraj which is developed from Badr 1

surface to air. It runs on solid fuel and operates with two thermal and radar systems. Accurate hitting air targets. High maneuverability and not affected by interference.

Barq 1

Surface to air. Range: 50 km. Height: 15 km. High explosive warhead Targeting armed reconnaissance aircraft. Targeting warplanes - resisting interference and electronic warfare means.

Thaqib 3

A Russian-made missile, 3.6 meters long and weighing 175 kg

Fatir 1

It was developed from a Russian surface-to-air missile

Its length is 5.8 meters, its weight is 600 kg, its speed is 2.8, its range is 22.6 km, its steering system is thermal.

Qasim 1

Ground-to-ground and runs on solid fuel

Badr1_P developed by Badr_1

Short range, solid fuel, accuracy of 3 metres.

Badr 3

Ground-to-ground. Mid-range and runs on solid fuel.

Badr 4

Ground-to-ground. Mid-range and runs on solid fuel.

Quds 4

Ground to ground, long-range, and able to hide from radars.

Aqeel

Ground-to-ground, long-range. It runs on liquid fuel, and has high accuracy.

Karar

Ground-to-ground: Length: 9 m; Diameter: 0.6 m; Range: 300 km

The warhead weighs 500 km and works with an intelligent guidance and control system

Hatim

Ground-to-ground, long-range. It runs on liquid fuel, and has high accuracy.

Quds 2

Guided missile, range: 1500 km - 2000 km. It targeted the Aramco distribution station in Jeddah.

Qahir 1

A SAM-type ballistic missile that was developed and modified locally to become a surface-to-surface missile that operates in two stages with solid and liquid fuel and is 11 meters long, similar to the Iranian Sayyad type.

Zelzal 3:

Exactly identical to the Iranian Zelzal series, the Zelzal missile that was launched at Najran, Saudi Arabia, from Yemeni territory. Owned by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.

Burkan 1:

King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah and King Fahd Air Base were targeted in October 2016. Its shape, conical head and fins resemble the tail end of a Scud C missile.

Burkan 2H:

On July 22, 2017, it targeted Yanbu oil refineries in the west of the Saudi Arabia, and the missile was used to strike King Khalid Airport, 11/4/2017.

Cruise missile:

Winged, it resembles the Soumar mobile missile, which is an Iranian copy.

The Houthis displayed about 32 models of various missiles in September 2023, including eight that the group claimed were new versions.

Iranian missiles:

Shihab 2 is a short-range tactical missile with a range of up to 750 km and operates on medium-range liquid fuel

Shihab 3 is capable of carrying fission bombs with a range of up to 1,300 km

Shihab 4 is used to transmit a satellite with a range of 2000 to 4000 km, medium range.

Fajr 3 is capable of evading radar detection, with an estimated range of 2,000 km.

Qader 110 has a range of up to 2000 km.

Ashura' is the first two-stage medium-range ballistic missile that runs on solid fuel instead of liquid, with a range of up to 2,000 km.

Sujail - 2 advanced surface-to-surface missile with a range of up to 2000 km.

Shihab 5 aims to meet Iranian space needs, with a range of more than 5,000 km.

Shihab 6 warhead weighs 1,000 kg and has a range of 6,000 km, posing a long-range threat to the United States.

Imad is a surface-to-surface which capable of carrying a long-range nuclear warhead.

Zulfigar has a high ability to hide from radars. It is distinguished by its ability to hit targets point-wise. It works with composite solid fuel. Its advanced version is Fateh 110.

Toufan, which is essentially Qader Iranian missile, has a range of between 1,600 and 1,900 km.

Cruise missiles:

Iranian Quds cruise missiles. Several of these missiles are available, some of which have a range of about 1,650 km.

In 2022 The Houthis announced the use of Quds 2 missiles to target Abu Dhabi.

Asif 1 Boats are distinguished by their high speed and superior maneuverability.

Asif 3 is one of the fastest boats and has superior maneuverability, carrying medium weapons, and air defense.

Sumar has a range of about 2500 km, runs with solid fuel.

BM25, has a range of about 2500 km, runs with liquid fuel.

Safir has a range of about 2000 km, runs with liquid fuel.

Ghadr has a range of about 1600 km, runs with liquid fuel in one stage.

Qeyam has a range of about 800 km, runs with liquid fuel in one stage.

The Houthi, through Iran, have modernized their arsenal of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and direct attack munitions.

Among the capabilities displayed in the latest parade were several types of ballistic and cruise missiles of Iranian origin that had not been shown up before.

The Houthi presentation revealed that Iran had provided them with missile systems that were recently revealed inside Iran.

Tehran has improved the capabilities of some types of medium-range surface-to-surface missiles and has already provided them to the Houthis.

Some of these missiles are:

The Houthis displayed another variant or derivative of the Iranian liquid-fueled missile, which has a range of up to 1,000 kilometers and is called Aqeel, for the first time in the recent parade in Sanaa.

This is the second version of Qeyam with the final guidance shown by the Houthis, the first being Al-Falaq, which was presented in 2022.

Derivatives of Qeyam appeared in the Houthi missile attacks carried out before the ceasefire against the Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and the variables used in these attacks revealed that they were not precisely directed.

While the appearance of the Qeyam variants with final guidance that was presented in Sanaa recently indicates a qualitative upgrade to the Houthis' longer-range ballistic missile arsenal.

There is another liquid-fuel missile revealed by the Houthis, which is the Toufan missile.

It is an Iranian Qader missile that has been rebranded. This missile can reach the range of 1350-1950 kilometers.

A solid-fuel missile called Tanqeel was on display, which is very similar to the Zohair missile developed by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and has a range of 500 km. The Zohair missile, which was only unveiled in 2020, represents one of Iran's newest solid-fueled missiles. As is the case with Khyber Shakan.

The Houthi presentation also included an anti-ship version that had not been shown before. The anti-ship version of Tanqeel and Asif version that were previously revealed were operated. It is an anti-ship version of the Iranian Fatah with a range of 400 kilometers, and this range enables the Houthis to target international shipping in the Red Sea and parts of the Gulf of Aden.

The Houthis used the parade to display other versions of the Quds cruise missile. The Quds 4 is the newest addition to the family

Although there is no information explaining how it differs from previous versions, increasing the scope is one of the options for the Houthis.

Types of UAVs:

Reconnaissance drones:

In February 2017, the Houthis revealed:

Hudhud1: The body length is 150 cm and its wings are 190 cm long, with an air flight time of 90 minutes and a range of 30 km. It has a small rectangular cross section, which makes it difficult to be detected. The small amount of thermal radiation reduces the possibility of being hit by infrared-guided missiles.

Raqeeb: It is 100 cm long, with a wingspan of 140 cm, with a flight time of 90 minutes and a range of 15 km. It has an accurate system for monitoring and tracking using lasers and has multiple imaging techniques (day photography, thermal imaging) used in rugged areas. It can perform atmospheric thermal imaging.

Observer: It is 100 cm long, with a wingspan of 220 cm, with an air flight time of 120 minutes and a range of up to 35 km. It is equipped with the latest photographic technology and a special system for geographical surveying and mapping with an electric motor. They are all small in size, fly at low altitude, do not require a runway or short-range control stations, and are not used in offensive military operations.

Its tasks are limited to technical and reconnaissance objectives, monitoring targets, determining coordinates of military sites and gatherings, real-time monitoring of the battlefield, and correcting artillery fire.

Attack drones:

Qasef 1: It is 250 cm long, has a wingspan of 300 cm, has a flight time of 120 minutes, and a range of 150 km. It is equipped with an intelligent target detection system and can carry a warhead weighing 30 kilograms.

Samad 1: It has reconnaissance missions with a range of up to 500 km and is characterized by the ability to monitor targets and transmit the image directly to the operations room.

Splintered suicide drones:

It is directed to hit the target directly, exploding from top to bottom, containing an appropriate amount of explosives.

Samad 2: It has a range of about 1,000 km and it targeted the Aramco oil refinery in Saudi Arabia in 2019.

Samad 3: A suicide attack drone with a range of 1,500-1,700 km. It is characterized by advanced technology such that defense systems cannot detect and intercept it. It began its first mission targeting Abu Dhabi Airport, 5/26/2018.

Qasef K2: A Suicide drone. It has the ability to mislead the response systems, because when it is captured, the plane explodes from top to bottom with a distance of 20 meters, and it has an effective and deadly range of between 30 and 80 meters, and it has the ability to carry an appropriate amount of explosives with the aim of doubling its destructive power.

Rajum drone: diameter 150 cm. Arm length 40 cm. The range is more than 10 km. Holds packages weighing more than 40 kg. It carries out monitoring tasks and precise targeting operations.

Wa'eed drone: length 4 meters, wingspan 3 metres, range more than 2500 km, and carries several warheads that carry out precise, explosive attack operations depending on the type of target.

Shihab drone: length 300 cm, wingspan 5 m, range up to more than 1000 km, carrying several explosive warheads depending on the type of mission.

Qatef drone: length 1.60 metres, wing width 1 meter, diameter 1 cm, range up to more than 25 km. Equipped with a sensing system for fixed and moving targets. It carries out offensive tactical missions and is used against the vehicles and armor of suicide drones.

According to the sources of the Abaad Center for Studies in the Yemeni army, the Houthis use C3, C4 and TNT explosives in these suicide drones, and this type was shot down in the city of Sa'ada before it was exploded.

Suicide drones missions:

Targeting the Patriot defense systems deployed by Saudi Arabia on the border to facilitate the way for the ballistic missiles they launch at Saudi Arabia.


Targeting airports. This is evident in the targeting of Abha Airport with two Qasef drones, or Abu Dhabi Airport with Samad 3, and targeting the Aramco company with Samad 2.

Characteristics:

Their price between one thousand and two thousand dollars.

Small in size and difficult to detect via radar.

Have precise photographic or mapping cameras that operate with DLE engines.

Assistant Professor at the London School of Economics, James Rogers, believes that the Emiratis and Saudis find it difficult to repel these attacks. It is known that it is difficult to repel attacks when they are used within the framework of a swarm tactic. He said that the Houthis use attacks at low altitude and low speed, which is why it is difficult for traditional radar to detect them.

Made in Iran

All reports confirm that the Houthi group does not have the technology and ability to manufacture any type of drones, let alone the advanced technology of drones. The British magazine Jane’s previously said that the arrival of this type into the hands of armed groups in the Middle East causes global panic. However, this panic does not seem apparent in light of the international community’s tolerance for this dangerous development.

The United Nations expert report confirmed that the Qasef drone is identical in design, dimensions and capabilities to the Ababeel-T, which is manufactured by the Iranian Aircraft Manufacturing Company, while specialized research centers revealed that the serial numbers are similar to those owned by Iranian militias in Iraq.

This is the same matter that was confirmed by research institutes, one of which was the “Arms Research Institute,” which confirmed that it has conclusive evidence proving that Qasef drone and other Houthi weapons are not of local manufacture, and that they are of Iranian production, contrary to the false statements of the Houthis. In order to hide the Iranian identity of the weapons, the Houthi militias resorted to giving them Arabic names.

Early Iranian support

The Executive Director of the Arms Tracking Group at the Arms Research Institute, James Bevan, stated that the discovery of identical weapon components in missiles and UAVs launched by the Houthis proved that they were supplied by Iran. This confirms that the Iranian regime, which supports certain groups in Bahrain, is also providing the Houthis with the necessary weapons and military equipment to operate drones. Bevan further explained that the latest information obtained by the institute proves that Iranian military support is not limited to the Houthis alone, but extends to several proxies in the region. The report published by the institute also confirmed that direct Iranian military support to the Houthis began in January 2013.

Threat to regional security

A study issued months ago by the Abaad Center for Studies and Research stated that the Houthis’ UAVs have become a strategic weapon that may develop and become a greater threat to regional and international security after the Houthis put the airports and ports of the Gulf countries under a serious threat through this technology.

The study indicated that the Houthis in the future may attack the sources, oil companies, vital factories, energy production companies, oil refining and water desalination companies, which will reflect negatively on the security and economic situation of the Gulf states.

Since the Houthis took control of the western coast of Yemen, the risks threatening the freedom of maritime navigation in the Red Sea have escalated. They also pose a threat to the security of the region, especially after their control over the port of Hodeidah - the largest port in Yemen - and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the main passage for some regional countries.

Booby-trapped boats:

Asef 3: A combat booby-trapped boat that is considered one of the fastest boats and has superior maneuverability and the ability to carry medium weapons and air defense.

Toufan 3: An unmanned attack boat characterized by its smoothness, high speed, and superior ability to maneuver and stealth. It carries a 500-kg warhead with a speed of up to 52 nautical miles. It is used to target fixed, distant maritime targets in all maritime conditions.

Toufan 2: An unmanned attack boat that carries a 400-kg warhead and is characterized by its high speed and superior ability to maneuver and stealth, reaching a speed of up to 41 nautical miles. It is used to target fixed and moving maritime targets.

Malah: A combat boat characterized by its high speed and superior ability to maneuver. It has the ability to carry medium weapons, a 12.7 caliber machine gun, a 14.5 caliber machine gun, an arpeggi and 6 personnel along with its equipment. It has multiple combat positions, including raiding fixed and mobile naval targets.

Asef 2: An electronic warfare boat has multiple reconnaissance and intelligence missions and carries some electronic warfare, monitoring, reconnaissance, and jamming devices for radars and communications.

Toufan 1: An unmanned attack boat carrying a 150 kg warhead, speed 35 nautical miles per hour. It has high speed and ability to maneuver, stealth, and raid nearby naval targets.

Blue Fish boat: Very small boats and more technically modified to float at lower water levelsز

Nazir: It has a high speed of up to 60 nautical miles per hour and is capable of carrying medium and air defense weapons such as a 23 caliber cannon. With its combat crew, it has multiple combat missions, including raiding mobile and fixed naval targets.

Asef 1: A military boat characterized by its high speed and superior ability to maneuver. It has the ability to carry medium and light weapons such as a 14.5 caliber machine gun and a Katbusha 107. It carries 4 members and their equipment and has multiple combat missions, including raiding fixed and mobile naval targets.

Shark 33: These boats are considered very fast and are equipped with two Yamaha 200 outboard engines and are equipped with cameras, hydraulic steering gears, antennas, a global positioning system (GPS), computers, and a Soviet-made P15 anti-ship missile warhead.

Naval mines

Thaqib: Sticky mine, Height 350 mm, Main diameter 550mm, Secondary diameter 350 mm Arming system: mechanical.

Masjour 1: Length 2.35 m and diameter 45 cm, The weight of the explosive material is 500 kg, Working principle: magnetic and acoustic sensors and ship counter, Safety and Armament: Mechanical with manual safety.

Mujahid 2: Diameter 535 mm, Height 635 mm, Total weight 78 kg, The weight of the explosive materials is 40 kg.

Masjour 2: Total weight 1 ton, The weight of the explosive material is 740 kg, Warhead diameter 534 mm, Safety and Armament: Mechanical with manual safety.

Naval ballistic missiles

Sayyad: Surface-to-sea missile. The range is up to 800 km. The weight of the warhead is 200 kg. It operates with solid and liquid fuel. Length is 6.80 m. Diameter is 50 cm. High accuracy in hitting targets. Radars cannot detect it. High destructive capacity. It can be launched from any region within the territory of Yemen to any point in the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea or the Gulf of Aden.

Tanqeel: Medium-range, Surface-to-surface, surface-to-sea, and operates on solid fuel.

Rubig B-21 Russian missile, length 6.5 m, diameter 0.87 m, wingspan 2.50 m, warhead weight 513 kg, radar self-guidance system.

Rubig B-22: Russian, length 6.5 m, electro-optical thermal guidance system.

Falaq 1: Surface-to-sea ballistic missile, length 6.00 m, runs on solid fuel, range more than 200 km, capabilities to capture targets visually and thermally.

Al-Mandab 1 cruise: Length 5.81 m, diameter 0.36 m, type of fuel is solid, capabilities: monitoring and hitting targets with high accuracy.

Al-Mandab 2: Length 7.00 m, diameter 0.36, fuel type: liquid, range more than 300 km, capabilities: monitoring and hitting targets with high accuracy.

The Red Sea: A medium-range surface-to-sea ballistic missile that operates with two thermal and radar systems characterized by high speed.


Asif: Surface-to-sea ballistic missile, length 10 m, diameter 0.7 m, warhead weight 550 kg, range 400 km, works with an intelligent thermal and optical guidance and control system.

Myoun: A medium-range, solid-fueled Surface-to-sea ballistic missile, capable of hitting fixed and moving naval targets, characterized by its destructive ability.

Quds_0 naval cruise missile: It has a long range and is characterized by tremendous destructive power, capable of hitting moving land and sea targets with high accuracy.

Sugail Cruise: Surface-to-sea, Length 3.60 m, warhead weight 100 km, range up to 180 km, works with solid and liquid fuel, high accuracy in hitting the target, radars cannot detect it, it can be struck from any point in the Red Sea. Its ability to target fixed and moving targets characterizes the warhead with a high destructive capacity.

Routes of smuggling weapons:

Large weapons are sent directly via Iranian ships to the Red Sea, and the weapons are unloaded on the Iranian ship located in front of Kamaran Island in international waters, from which boats come and take them from the Iranian ship in Bashhad to the port of Salif.

Land: via Oman (drug smuggling route) and Al-Mahra (Al-Ruwaik Desert to Al-Jawf in areas controlled by the Houthis).