...and both are babbling nonsense (one because it's superficial and sensationalist, the other because of his illusions of grandeur).Originally Posted by Azor
During the night from 25 to 26 March 2018 (i.e. on the third anniversary of this war), the Missile Force of the Houthis has fired a number of ballistic missiles and rockets at Saudi Arabia. According to the Houthi-controlled SABA News, missiles used were Burkan-2H, Qaher-2M, and Badr. To make sure:
- Burkan-2Hs are rebuilds of various R-17s and Hwasong-6s imported by Yemen in the 1980s and 1990s (i.e. 'Scud' and North-Korean-made, 'extended range Scud'), then destroyed or damaged by the Saudi-led coalition in March and April 2015. They might contain parts smuggled in from Iran.
- Qaher-2Ms are old V-750 missiles of the well-known, Soviet-made SA-75M (SA-2 Guideline) SAM-system. Yemen has got over 800 of these in the 1970s and 1980s, and they really take no 'rocket science' to be deployed as 'ballistic missiles'.
- Badr (aka Badr-1) seems to be little else but a re-packaged BM-21 and/or BM-27s.
Following launches and/or intercepts have been reported:
- 3 missiles (obviously Burkan-2Hs) were fired at King Khalid IAP in Riyadh; all three were intercepted by MIM-104D/Fs operated by the Royal Saudi Air Defence Force (the RSADF is operating a mix of PAC-2s and PAC-3s).
Burkan-2H (photo from December 2017):
HS Burkan-2H 19Dez17A.jpg
- 2 missiles (type presently unclear) were fired at Khamis Mushayt, results unknown.
- 1 missile (Qaher-2M) was fired at Najran, and intercepted.
- 1 missile (Qaher-2M) was fired at Abha Regional Airport, and intercepted.
Qaher-2M (photo from early 2016):
HS Qaher-2M.jpg
- several rockets (Badr-1) were fired at Jizzan airport 'and other targets' (SABA), results unknown.
Badr-1 (photo from 22 March 2018):
HS BM-21 Badr-1 Mar18 launcher.jpg
As far as can be assessed by now, the warhead of one of Burkan-2Hs was intercepted quite low over Riyadh (that's what resulted in the video showing 'fireworks'): debris and shrapnel did cause quite some material damage. Worst of all: one person (an Egyptian expatriate worker) was killed, and at least two injured.
Furthermore, one of missiles fired by one of several RSADF-operated MIM-104 SAM sites protecting Riyadh, has malfunctioned and crashed shortly after the launch. This one has hit an empty area, without causing injuries or damage.
Primary problem in engagements of this kind remain these Burkan-2H missiles. They are so poorly manufactured, they are tumbling and falling apart on re-entry (and no: contrary to what various 'experts' and the NYT are reporting, Burkans are neither 'made by Iran', nor containing 'separating warheads': that's science fiction). The PAC-2/3 then targets each big piece with 1-2 missiles. That's why one Burkan-2 usually results in firing of 5-7 Patriot SAMs. In this case, the warhead of one of three Burkan-2H came quite low over Riyadh before it was finally hit (see the video with 'fireworks'). Thus, the shrapnel caused injuries and damage on the ground.
Final word: for all the hatred for the Saudis expressed in the social media, one could still remain sane enough to trust them at least to push the 'auto' button on their PAC-2/3s.
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