---
title: "HMS Diamond Sports Kill Markings As It Pulls Into Gibraltar"
description: "HMS *Diamond*, which had been on station near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for months as the Houthis in Yemen attacked shipping moving through the region repeatedly, is now sporting kill marks from its time on station."
date: "2024-02-11"
modified: "2024-02-11"
authors:
  - name: "Tyler Rogoway"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway"
url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/hms-diamond-sports-drone-kill-markings-as-it-pulls-into-gibraltar"
categories:
  - "Anti-Ship Ballistic Missiles"
  - "Around The Globe"
  - "Destroyers"
  - "Europe"
  - "Middle East"
  - "Naval Munitions"
  - "Navies"
  - "News & Features"
  - "Red Sea"
  - "Royal Navy"
  - "Sea"
  - "United Kingdom"
  - "Yemen"
---

# HMS Diamond Sports Kill Markings As It Pulls Into Gibraltar

![HMS Diamond's kill markings against drone](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/12/HMSDiamondkillmarkings.jpg>)
*Michael J Sanchez/@key2med*

HMS *Diamond*, which had been on station near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait for months as the Houthis in Yemen attacked shipping moving through the region repeatedly, is now sporting kill marks from its time on station.

https://twitter.com/RoyalNavy/status/1754880177056702875?s=20

The Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer pulled in [Gibraltar](<https://www.twz.com/41319/ohio-class-ballistic-missile-submarine-makes-rare-stop-in-gibraltar>) yesterday after coming off station and heading into the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. She was replaced in the Red Sea by the Type 23 Frigate HMS *Richmond* which is now serving as the United Kingdom's main contribution to [Operation Prosperity Guardian.](<https://www.twz.com/cracks-form-in-new-naval-coalition-drone-strikes-spread-to-indian-ocean>)

![](<https://www.twz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/12/HMSDIAMOND.jpg>)
*HMS *Diamond* passes its replacement, HMS *Richmond*. (Royal Navy)*

The images come to us from [Michael Sanchez](<https://twitter.com/key2med?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1756625923137286432%7Ctwgr%5Eb5e22be3766a26a83d6c012df79acbbe9b2b1fb1%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fswp.twz.com%2Fwp%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D6342532action%3Dedit>) who keeps a close eye on naval happenings around Gibraltar.

https://twitter.com/key2med/status/1756625923137286432?s=20

During its time in what became a very hostile stretch of water, *Diamond* shot down nine drones, some of which appeared to have been targeting the ship itself. [Sea Viper surface-to-air missiles](<https://www.twz.com/type-45-destroyers-sea-viper-to-get-anti-ballistic-missile-upgrade>) and the ship's guns were used to engage the drones. These feats are highlighted by the silhouettes of painted on the destroyer's bridge wings.

https://twitter.com/EngageStrategy1/status/1755545695153541373?s=20

The exact drones depicted are not definitive, but they do represent certain familiar configurations. The traditional fixed-wing configuration with a pusher propeller, similar to the [Sammad-type kamikaze drones](<https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/46283842630243379f0504ece90a821f>), are shown in seven silhouettes. Another shows a [Shahed-136](<https://www.twz.com/news-features/what-does-a-shahed-136-really-cost>)-like delta-wing kamikaze drone. There is also a marking of what is likely a larger twin-tail boom reconnaissance drone, some of which U.S. Central Command has indicated are operated in the region by Iran directly.

https://twitter.com/JosephHDempsey/status/1756644799992517102?s=20

The Ministry of Defense [said the following](<https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/hms-richmodn-takes-over-from-hms-diamond-in-red-sea/#google_vignette>) about HMS Diamond's recent actions:

*“The destroyer came under fire in three separate attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, successfully destroying nine drones using her world-class Sea Viper missile system and guns.*

*The UK continues to be at the forefront of the international response to the Houthis’ illegal attacks on commercial shipping – participating in Operation Prosperity Guardian, intercepting weapon-smuggling to Yemen, imposing sanctions to hold members of the Houthis to account and conducting necessary, proportionate and targeted strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen.”*

https://twitter.com/Schizointel/status/1756372025277301152?s=20

The Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers are now set to receive anti-ballistic missile defense capabilities. The news of this upgrade hit during the heat of the action, with the Houthis firing dozens of anti-ship ballistic missiles at ships transiting the region. You can read more about this initiative [here](<https://www.twz.com/19509/royal-navy-will-retrofit-type-45-destroyers-to-keep-them-from-breaking-down>).

While kill and [mission markings are a well known practice](<https://www.twz.com/33735/stealth-missile-marks-on-f-15es-all-but-prove-they-dealt-final-blow-to-al-baghdadis-compound>) on combat aircraft and [even ground-based air defense units](<https://www.twz.com/ukraine-situation-report-patriot-kill-marks-hint-that-it-downed-aircraft-inside-russia>), it's a less known practice on warships, but it's [certainly not unheard of](<https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2022/august/brief-illustrated-history-navy-victory-markings>) and there and it has its own rich tradition.

HMS *Diamond* left its home port in Portsmouth in November and is heading home with a lot to be proud of.

*Contact the author: [tyler@twz.com](<mailto:tyler@twz.com>)*

## Author
Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel>)