Pentagon boosts Red Sea defenses with CAD 1.6B spending plan
Bloomberg reports, citing budget documents, that the Pentagon plans to allocate approximately CAD 1.6 billion for activities in the Red Sea region and to replenish the arsenal of missiles used to defend against attacks by Iran and its allies.
Costs associated with maintaining American military units and intercepting drones and missiles launched by Iran or Houthi rebels from Yemen are detailed in two budget documents, notes Bloomberg. These expenses have been presented to the U.S. Congress and published online.
Replenishing missile stock
The documents indicate that approximately CAD 258 million will be allocated to replenish the stock of RTX Corp. Standard Missile-3 Block 1B, and about CAD 11.5 million for the purchase of heat-seeking AIM-X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.
The largest portion of the expenditures is CAD 407 million for unforeseen maintenance work on the USS Bataan amphibious assault ship and ships from the USS Eisenhower carrier strike group, which operated in the Red Sea, notes Bloomberg.
Additional purchases
The Pentagon also plans to spend CAD 22,000 to replenish flare stocks, which are used in self-defence operations.
In April, with support from the U.S., the United Kingdom, and other countries, Israel shot down approximately 300 drones and missiles launched by Iran.
Houthi attacks
Houthi rebels, controlling the most populated parts of Yemen, have been attacking commercial ships in the waters off the coast of the country and Western warships since November last year in solidarity with Palestinians fighting the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip.
The rebels' actions have disrupted global shipping in the region, forcing shipping companies to change transport routes.
In response to attacks threatening maritime transport, American and British forces have been conducting airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since January.
