Experts and industry officials say the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs) in the Red Sea has piqued interest in Asia about the systems used to shoot them down. US Central Command (CENTCOM) media releases from Nov. 27 to Feb. 20 mention a total of 48 ASBMs and 12 interceptions in the Red Sea. A statement made by a senior executive at a US defense contractor at the Singapore Airshow this week said the increased demand for integrated air and missile defense in Asia. Robert Hewson of Sweden’s Saab also mentioned the interest in countering not only ballistic missiles but also small aerial threats. US Navy destroyers are equipped with the Aegis air defense system and Aegis uses Raytheon’s SM-2, SM-3, and SM-6 missiles to intercept threats. The overall system complexity of Chinese ASBMs, including the range to which they aspire, outclasses the missiles used by the Houthis, said Ankit Panda of the Carnegie Foundation for International Peace.
Rising Interest in Defense Mechanisms in Asia following Attacks in the Red Sea
