In the volatile environment of the Red Sea, a French Navy Aquitaine-class frigate recently engaged a Houthi attack drone using its 76mm OTO Melara main gun. The incident, captured on video, illustrates the growing challenge for modern navies in countering low-cost, asymmetric threats like drones with high-tech systems designed for conventional warfare.
This event, part of the European Union’s Operation Aspides, highlights the evolving nature of maritime conflict and the necessity for adaptable weaponry to handle emerging threats. The decision to use the 76mm gun, instead of the frigate’s advanced missile systems, raises questions about naval strategies for engaging such low-cost targets. The incident signals a potential shift in how naval forces might confront new, unconventional threats in the future.
The Aquitaine-class frigates, a key component of the French Navy’s modern fleet, are designed for multi-role operations, including anti-submarine, anti-surface, and anti-air warfare. Built by Naval Group, these 6,000-ton vessels are equipped with a range of advanced systems, including vertical launch systems for Aster 15 air defense missiles, MdCN cruise missiles, and Exocet anti-ship missiles. They also feature a 76mm OTO Melara gun, known for its versatility in countering surface, air, and land targets.
The 76mm OTO Melara Super Rapid gun, a dual-purpose weapon capable of firing 120 rounds per minute, is optimized for engaging a variety of threats at ranges up to 40 kilometers. It employs advanced ammunition types like the DART (Driven Ammunition Reduced Time of Flight) projectile, designed for precision strikes against agile targets such as drones. This flexibility allows the weapon to effectively counter threats across the full spectrum of naval combat.
The tactical use of the 76mm gun against a Houthi drone, likely a Samad or Shihab variant, reflects a cost-effective strategy. Given that Houthi drones are relatively inexpensive, at tens of thousands of dollars, using an advanced missile like the Aster 15, which costs up to $2 million per round, would represent an impractical expenditure. The decision to use the 76mm gun, with its much lower cost per round, allows the French frigate to conserve its missile stock for more significant threats.
This tactic mirrors a similar engagement by the Italian Navy, where its destroyer used the same gun to shoot down a Houthi drone. The proximity of the drone during the French Navy’s encounter suggests either a tactical decision to let the drone close or a limitation in early detection capabilities. Drones, especially those flying low to avoid radar, often challenge modern naval defense systems, which are optimized for faster, high-altitude targets.
The Red Sea has become a hotspot for asymmetric threats, particularly since the Houthi rebels escalated their maritime operations. Supported by Iran, the Houthis have targeted vessels in the region, disrupting vital trade routes. Their use of low-cost drones, potentially enhanced with Iranian technology, poses a significant challenge to traditional naval defense strategies.
Operation Aspides, launched by the European Union to protect shipping lanes in the region, underscores the strategic importance of securing these routes, which are vital for global commerce. The French Navy’s active role, including intercepting Houthi drones with a combination of gunfire and air support, exemplifies the shift towards using a mix of technologies to counter evolving threats.
This incident also highlights the importance of crew training in responding to such rapid, high-pressure situations. The psychological and operational challenges of engaging drones at close range with a deck gun, in a contested environment, require rapid decision-making and flawless coordination between radar systems, fire control, and gunnery crews.
The return of naval guns like the 76mm OTO Melara to counter unconventional threats marks a shift in naval warfare, as modern forces must adapt to cheaper, more accessible technologies. While laser systems and other advanced solutions may eventually provide alternatives, the use of guns remains a practical response in the current landscape.
Ultimately, the Red Sea encounter serves as a reminder of the changing nature of maritime warfare, where high-tech vessels must adapt to confront low-tech, asymmetric threats. The decision to employ a decades-old weapon in this context emphasizes the need for flexibility and innovation in responding to evolving challenges.
