Yemen's Houthi rebels have showcased a new solid-fuel missile named 'Palestine,' reminiscent of an Iranian missile known for hypersonic speeds. The rebels launched the 'Palestine' missile towards the Israeli port of Eilat, causing no damage or injuries. The missile, featuring a warhead painted like a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, was seen rising swiftly on a mobile launcher with white smoke, characteristic of solid-fuel missiles.
Solid-fuel missiles offer quicker setup and firing capabilities, crucial for the Houthis given recent strikes on their launch sites. While the rebels claim the 'Palestine' is locally made, doubts arise due to Yemen's limited missile manufacturing capacity. Iran has been a known supplier of arms to the Houthis, despite denying direct involvement.
The missile's design elements resemble Iran's Fattah missile, capable of hypersonic speeds and a range of 1,400 kilometers. Reports suggest the 'Palestine' could be a precision-guided missile provided by Iran, posing challenges to missile defense systems due to its speed and maneuverability.
Hypersonic weapons, flying faster than Mach 5, present interception challenges due to their unpredictable flight paths. Countries like China, America, and Russia are actively pursuing hypersonic technology. The maneuverability and speed of the 'Palestine' missile remain uncertain, raising questions about its capabilities.
