Navy Chief Seeks Cheaper Red Sea Defense After Costly Strikes

WASHINGTON D.C. - Adm. James Kilby, the new Chief of Naval Operations, has voiced concerns about the financial burden of using costly missiles to defend against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Speaking at a defense industry conference, Adm. Kilby stated that the current approach is not sustainable in the long term and called for a change in strategy.

"We cannot continue to expend millions of dollars on each intercept," Adm. Kilby said. "We need a more cost-effective solution to protect our ships and maintain freedom of navigation in the Red Sea." He emphasized the need for the military-industrial base to accelerate the development and production of cheaper munitions and alternative defense systems.

The Red Sea has become a hotspot for attacks by Houthi rebels, who have been targeting commercial and military vessels with missiles and drones. The U.S. Navy has been actively engaged in intercepting these attacks, primarily using advanced missile systems like the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) and Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), which can cost millions of dollars per intercept.

Adm. Kilby's remarks highlight the growing concern within the Navy about the economic implications of prolonged engagement in the Red Sea. He stressed the importance of innovation and collaboration with the defense industry to find sustainable solutions that can effectively counter the Houthi threat without draining resources. Potential solutions include directed energy weapons, improved electronic warfare capabilities, and less expensive interceptor missiles.

The Navy is also exploring closer cooperation with allied nations to share the burden of defending the Red Sea. Adm. Kilby plans to meet with international partners to discuss collaborative strategies and resource sharing to ensure the safety and security of maritime traffic in the region.