British warship shot down attack drone in Red Sea: Defence secretary

London [UK], December 17: A Royal Navy warship has shot down a suspected attack drone in the Red Sea, Britain's Defence Secretary has said.
Grant Shapps said it was believed merchant shipping in the Red Sea was the intended target, in the latest such incident in the key global shipping route.
The Red Sea lies between north Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and connects the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal. "One Sea Viper missile fired and successfully destroyed the target", Shapps said in a statement.
"The ship recently arrived in the region to bolster international efforts to maintain maritime security.
"The recent spate of illegal attacks represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security in the Red Sea.
"The UK remains committed to repelling these attacks to protect the free flow of global trade." (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune