Middle East crisis: The military firepower the UK and US have at their disposal in the Gulf
British forces have joined the US in targeting sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen.
The airstrikes were in retaliation for Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial shipping which began after the start of the Israel-Hamas war.
The Yemeni rebel group has declared its support for Hamas in Gaza and said it would target vessels heading for Israel.
In the wake of the strikes, Sky News profiles the military hardware and weapons the UK and America have at their disposal in the region.
Follow live: Footage shows moment RAF jet strikes – as Houthis vow to retaliate
Britain
HMS Diamond
Diamond’s sleek lines are designed for stealth at sea
HMS Diamond is one of the most advanced warships in the world. Pic: MOD
The Type 45 destroyer has already been engaged in downing drones and missiles fired by Houthis against civilian ships in the Red Sea.
Diamond’s sleek lines are designed for stealth at sea, appearing virtually invisible on enemy radar.
HMS Diamond, which has cutting-edge military sensors to detect and track multiple targets, is equipped with 48 Sea Viper missiles – long-range, precision weapons capable of reaching supersonic speeds of Mach 4.5 and each costing more than £1m.
The weapon system can launch eight missiles in under 10 seconds and guide up to 16 missiles simultaneously.
Other armaments include a 4.5in main gun, 30mm cannon, 20mm rapid-fire Gatling guns, anti-ship Harpoon missiles and an anti-torpedo defence system.
The destroyer, which can reach 30 knots and has a range of 7,000 nautical miles, is equipped with a distinctive SAMPSON radar system – a large, spherical surveillance device that can detect and track threats from over 250 miles away, as well as guide friendly missiles.
Unlike conventional radars, it can perform several functions at once, has immense range and accuracy and is immune to enemy jamming.
It also has a flight deck for a single helicopter.
HMS Lancaster
The Type 23 frigate, which has a top speed of 28 knots and a range of 7,800 nautical miles, is the core of the Royal Navy’s frontline fleet because of its all-round operational effectiveness.
Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War, its technology and weaponry has since been updated to handle virtually any threat.
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Who are the Houthis?
The warship’s 4.5-inch gun can provide artillery bombardment of shore targets, firing up to 24 high explosive shells per minute (each weighing 40kg) up to 18 miles away.
It is also equipped with Harpoon long-range anti-ship missiles and the cutting-edge Sea Ceptor air defence system, which can guard an area of 500 square miles and engage multiple targets at the same time.
HMS Richmond, another Type 23 frigate, is also on its way to the region.
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US and British strikes hit Yemen
RAF Typhoons
Although not based in the Gulf, four of the multi-role combat aircraft, flying from Cyprus, were used to carry out strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen.
The long-range mission was made possible by a Voyager air refuelling tanker.
Capable of reaching a top speed of Mach 1.8, the FGR4 Typhoon has a maximum altitude of 55,000ft.
From brakes off it can reach Mach 1.5 at 35,000ft in less than two minutes 30 seconds.
Armed with a 27mm Mauser cannon it is capable of range of missiles and precision-guided bombs.
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Houthi target hit by RAF in Yemen
Paveway IV guided bombs
The highly accurate precision weapons used by the Typhoons in the attacks on Houthi facilities are capable of destroying the majority of targets while minimising collateral damage.
The RAF’s go-to weapon has been in operational use since 2008.
Costing about £30,000 each and weighing 226kg, the Paveway has four main parts – the guidance system in the front, a 500lb warhead in the middle (which can penetrate concrete) and, at the back, the tail section guides the bomb, with a smart fuse to control how it detonates.
GPS is one way the bomb can be guided to its target, but as a dual-mode weapon it can also be directed using a laser.
United States
USS Dwight D Eisenhower
The nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was sent to the region to “deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas’s attack on Israel”, according to US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Described by the US Navy as its “finest five-star aircraft carrier”, the 1,092ft-long vessel has a top speed of more than 30 knots.
With a personnel of around 5,000 it can carry in the region of 60 aircraft.
It is accompanied by a Carrier Strike Group, which includes USS Philippine Sea, a guided-missile cruiser, and USS Gravely and USS Mason.
USS Laboon, a destroyer, is also operating in the Red Sea.
The warships have a range of armaments including surface-to-air missiles, guns and and close-in weapons systems.
They also have electronic warfare capabilities that could cut the links between drones and their on-shore controllers.
An F/A-18 Super Hornet launches from the USS Dwight D Eisenhower
F/A-18 Super Hornet
The advanced warplane is the US Navy’s main strike aircraft.
It has been likened to a power tool with various attachments in that it can be configured for different types of missions.
Equipped with a 20mm rotary cannon it can also carry air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles and a variety of other weapons.
The jet can reach a speed of Mach 1.8 and climb to 50,000ft, with a range of 1,275 nautical miles.
The advanced cockpit system includes a touchscreen display providing the pilot with the capability to see, track and target multiple long-range targets.
Tomahawk missiles
Tomahawk cruise missiles can fly ‘evasive’ routes
The US Navy’s low-flying Tomahawk cruise missiles can deliver a 1,000lb conventional warhead hundreds of miles inland.
Launched from either ships or submarines, Tomahawks fly at subsonic speeds on “evasive” or indirect routes which can beat air defence systems.
The missiles are GPS-guided so can change targets or courses after launch.
A teenage girl who was killed after getting out of a police car on the M5 in Somerset has been named.
Tamzin Hall, 17 and from Wellington, was hit by a vehicle that was travelling southbound between junction 24 for Bridgwater and junction 25 for Taunton shortly after 11pm on Monday.
She had exited a police vehicle that had stopped on the northbound side of the motorway while transporting her.
A mandatory referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which is now carrying out its own investigation into what happened.
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Avon and Somerset Police said: “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to Tamzin’s family for their devastating loss.
“A specially-trained family liaison officer remains in contact with them to keep them updated and to provide support.
“The family have asked for privacy at this difficult time.”
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The police watchdog, the IOPC, has been asked to investigate.
In a statement, director David Ford, said: “This was a truly tragic incident and my thoughts are with Tamzin’s family and friends and everyone affected by the events of that evening.
“We are contacting her family to express our sympathies, explain our role, and set out how our investigation will progress. We will keep them fully updated as our investigation continues.”
Paramedics attended the motorway within minutes of the girl being hit but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The motorway was closed in both directions while investigations took place. It was fully reopened shortly after 11am on Tuesday, Nationals Highways said.
A survivors group advocating for women allegedly assaulted by Mohamed al Fayed has said it is “grateful another abuser has been unmasked”, after allegations his brother Salah also participated in the abuse.
Justice for Harrods Survivors says it has “credible evidence” suggesting the sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated at Harrods and the billionaire’s properties “was not limited to Mr al Fayed himself”.
The group’s statement comes after three women told BBC News they were sexually assaulted by al Fayed’s brother, Salah.
One woman said she was raped by Mohamed al Fayed while working at Harrods.
Helen, who has waived her right to anonymity, said she then took a job working for his brother as an escape. She alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted while working at Salah’s home on Park Lane, London.
Two other women have told the BBC they were taken to Monaco and the South of France, where Salah sexually abused them.
Mohamed al Fayed. Pic: AP
The Justice for Harrod Survivors representatives said: “We are proud to support the survivors of Salah Fayed’s abuse and are committed to achieving justice for them, no matter what it takes.”
The group added it “looks forward to the others on whom we have credible evidence – whether abusers themselves or enablers facilitating that abuse – being exposed in due course”.
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Ex-Fulham captain makes Al Fayed allegation
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Salah was one of the three Fayed brothers who co-owned Harrods.
The business, which was sold to Qatar Holdings when Mohamed al Fayed retired in 2010, has said it “supports the bravery of these women in coming forward”.
A statement issued by the famous store on Thursday evening continued: “We encourage these survivors to come forward and make their claims to the Harrods scheme, where they can apply for compensation, as well as support from a counselling perspective and through an independent survivor advocate.
“We also hope that they are looking at every appropriate avenue to them in their pursuit of justice, whether that be Harrods, the police or the Fayed family and estate.”
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Bianca Gascoigne speaks about Al Fayed abuse
The Justice for Harrods Survivors group previously said more than 400 people had contacted them regarding accusations about Mohamed al Fayed, who died last year.
One of those alleged to have been abused is Bianca Gascoigne, the daughter of former England player Paul.
Speaking to Sky News in October, Gascoigne said she was groomed and sexually assaulted by al Fayed when she worked at Harrods as a teenager.
UK
Wes Streeting ‘crossed the line’ by opposing assisted dying in public, says Labour peer Harriet Harman
Wes Streeting “crossed the line” by opposing assisted dying in public and the argument shouldn’t “come down to resources”, a Labour peer has said.
Speaking on Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Baroness Harriet Harman criticised the health secretary for revealing how he is going to vote on the matter when it comes before parliament later this month.
MPs are being given a free vote, meaning they can side with their conscience and not party lines, so the government is supposed to be staying neutral.
But Mr Streeting has made clear he will vote against legalising assisted dying, citing concerns end-of-life care is not good enough for people to make an informed choice, and that some could feel pressured into the decision to save the NHS money.
He has also ordered a review into the potential costs of changing the law, warning it could come at the expense of other NHS services if implemented.
Baroness Harman said Mr Streeting has “crossed the line in two ways”.
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“He should not have said how he was going to vote, because that breaches neutrality and sends a signal,” she said.
“And secondly… he’s said the problem is that it will cost money to bring in an assisted dying measure, and therefore he will have to cut other services.
“But paradoxically, he also said it would be a slippery slope because people will be forced to bring about their own death in order to save the NHS money. Well, it can’t be doing both things.
“It can’t be both costing the NHS money and saving the NHS money.”
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Review into assisted dying costs
Baroness Harman said the argument “should not come down to resources” as it is a “huge moral issue” affecting “only a tiny number of people”.
She added that people should not mistake Mr Streeting for being “a kind of proxy for Keir Starmer”.
“The government is genuinely neutral and all of those backbenchers, they can vote whichever way they want,” she added.
Read more on this story:
‘Fix care before assisted dying legislation’
Why assisted dying is controversial – and where it’s already legal
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously expressed support for assisted dying, but it is not clear how he intends to vote on the issue or if he will make his decision public ahead of time.
The cabinet has varying views on the topic, with the likes of Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood siding with Mr Streeting in her opposition but Energy Secretary Ed Miliband being for it.
Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband is said to support the bill. Pic: Reuters
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has concerns. Pic: Reuters
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The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill is being championed by Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater, who wants to give people with six months left to live the choice to end their lives.
Under her proposals, two independent doctors must confirm a patient is eligible for assisted dying and a High Court judge must give their approval.
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Labour MP Kim Leadbeater discusses End of Life Bill
The bill will also include punishments of up to 14 years in prison for those who break the law, including coercing someone into ending their own life.
MPs will debate and vote on the legislation on 29 November, in what will be the first Commons vote on assisted dying since 2015, when the proposal was defeated.
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