F-16I Sufa fighter-bombers armed with long-range supersonic Rampage missiles were part of the aircraft package that once again attacked Houthi installations in Yemen. The recent deployment of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) comes in response to repeated drone and ballistic missile attacks launched by the Houthi regime against Israel.
According to the Israeli Air Force, the F-16I Sufa “…targeted military objectives of the Houthi terrorist regime on Yemen’s western coast and interior. These targets included: the Hizaz power plant, a central energy source for the Houthi terrorist regime’s military activities; and the ports of Al Hudaydah and Ras Isa on the western coast, which house Houthi military infrastructure…”. For this latest air raid, IAF fighter-bombers once again utilized supersonic Rampage missiles, as in the offensive conducted between December 19 and 20, 2024.
In that previous attack, F-15D Baz and F-16I Sufa fighter-bombers armed with long-range Rampage and Popeye missiles carried out the strike, supported by refueling aircraft and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets. “…This strike package, operating approximately 2,000 kilometers from Israel, targeted locations in the port of Hodeida—previously visited by Israeli aviation—and, for the first time, in the rebel-controlled capital, Sana’a…” we previously reported.
It is worth mentioning that the Rampage missile is a locally developed system tailored to the needs of the Israeli Air Force. Designed for rapid response and precision strikes, the Rampage “…features a pre-programmable or in-flight mission profile, satellite/INS navigation with anti-jamming capabilities, a general-purpose warhead, and fire-and-forget capabilities…” according to the manufacturer.
Weighing 580 kilograms, the Rampage missile is prized for its precision and extended range, boasting a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters. It can engage ground targets at ranges between 150 and 250 kilometers.
Targeting the Houthi Regime and Iran’s Influence
Israel’s recent airstrikes against the Houthi regime are part of the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) strategy to degrade Houthi capabilities in Yemen and weaken Iran’s presence in the region. Both are primary actors in attacks on international shipping and maritime routes in the Red Sea and are aligned in their hostility toward Israel.
“Since October 7, 2023, the (Houthi) terrorist regime has launched over 350 drones and missiles at Israel… The Houthis are an Iranian proxy whose primary objective is to destroy Israel and its people,” detailed IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani.
Having made progress in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, the IDF continues to pressure regional adversaries, with a particular focus on countering Iranian influence. “The Israel Defense Forces will continue operating at any distance against any threat to the State of Israel and its citizens,” the Air Force emphasized in its statement—a message likely to resonate in the coming months.
Cover Image: Israeli Air Force
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