Russian P-800 Oniks missiles may target US-UK warships in Red Sea Western media warns

There are growing concerns that Western warships, particularly those from the American coalition safeguarding commercial traffic in the Red Sea, may face threats from Russian P-800 Oniks anti-ship missiles.

Some Western media indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin might escalate the strategic dilemma for the West in the region by supplying these advanced cruise missiles to the Iranian-aligned Yemeni Houthi movement, Caliber.Az reports.

However, Moscow has not officially commented on the matter despite media inquiries. According to Newsweek, this collaboration is part of Russia’s increasing alignment with Iran, a strategic move to strengthen ties with anti-Western factions following its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

About P-800 Oniks

The P-800 Oniks, also known as the SS-N-26 Strobile by NATO, is a supersonic anti-ship cruise missile developed by Russia, designed to target various naval vessels, including aircraft carriers and destroyers. Known for its high speed and sophisticated guidance systems, the missile is a formidable weapon in modern naval warfare. The P-800 Oniks measures approximately 8.9 meters (29.2 feet) in length and 0.7 meters (2.3 feet) in diameter, with a launch weight of around 3,000 kilograms (6,614 pounds), capable of carrying a substantial payload over long distances.

The missile employs a hybrid propulsion system combining a solid-fuel rocket booster with a liquid-fuel ramjet engine, enabling it to reach speeds up to Mach 2.5. Its advanced guidance system includes inertial navigation, active radar homing, and electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), allowing it to evade enemy jamming and other countermeasures. The P-800 Oniks can be equipped with either high-explosive fragmentation or nuclear warheads, depending on the mission requirements, offering flexibility in operational planning.

The operational range of the P-800 Oniks varies with the flight profile and launch platform, achieving up to 300 kilometers (186 miles) when launched from a surface ship or submarine. This extended range provides a tactical advantage in naval engagements.

Acquisition of Missiles

Earlier this year, the Houthis agreed not to attack Russian or Chinese ships. In March, Houthi politburo member Ali al-Kahoum emphasized the growing cooperation and knowledge exchange between Yemen, Russia, China, and the BRICS nations, aiming to weaken American and Western influence in the Red Sea region. The BRICS group originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and has since expanded to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the UAE.

The Houthis currently possess Russian-made P-800 Oniks missiles, acquired through Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. According to Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the Houthis began developing their own hypersonic missile in March, with an unnamed military source close to the group claiming successful tests of a solid-fuel missile reaching speeds up to Mach 8.