On 1 October 2024, U.S. Navy destroyers USS Cole and USS Bulkeley successfully intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel.
In a brief but striking video released by the U.S. Navy, two missile launches from the USS Bulkeley can be seen as part of a larger operation aimed at neutralising threats from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The U.S. Sixth Fleet deployed these destroyers equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, specifically designed to intercept and destroy missiles and drones. This latest defensive action underscores the close military cooperation between the U.S. and Israel, particularly during periods of heightened tension.
U.S. Sixth Fleet guided missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) engaged multiple Iranian ballistic missiles in defence of Israel from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, here’s a shot of them firing. pic.twitter.com/9lThit9kRk
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) October 2, 2024
Official Statement from U.S. Navy
In an official statement, Captain Bill Urban, lead spokesman for U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa, provided details of the engagement:
“The U.S. Sixth Fleet guided missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) engaged multiple Iranian ballistic missiles in defense of Israel from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on 1 October 2024. Both destroyers have the Aegis weapons system designed for ballistic missile defense and were stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean by the United States in advance of the Iranian launch as part of U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa. Multiple missiles are believed to have been successfully engaged at this time.”
The brief video shows two missile launches from the USS Bulkeley, capturing a small but critical moment in the ongoing effort to protect Israel from incoming threats. These destroyers had been pre-positioned in the region as part of the U.S. commitment to ensuring the safety of its allies amidst growing regional instability.
A Broader Response to Iranian Missile Strikes
This engagement occurred as part of a larger Iranian missile strike on Israel, which saw Iran launching approximately 200 missiles towards key military and strategic locations within Israel. These strikes, which were reportedly in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian-backed figures, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, aimed to inflict significant damage on Israel’s military infrastructure.
Israel’s Iron Dome and other systems, with the support of U.S. Navy destroyers, were able to intercept the majority of the missiles. The U.S. destroyers’ involvement highlights the role that American forces continue to play in countering Iranian threats in the region.
Rising Tensions in the Region
The missile strikes from Iran, codenamed “Operation True Promise 2,” come amidst an increasingly volatile situation in the Middle East. Iran’s attack was seen as retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that targeted senior figures in Hezbollah and Hamas. Iranian leadership, particularly Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, authorised the missile strikes, which were launched from several sites within Iran.
While Israel’s missile defense systems, supported by the U.S. Navy, intercepted many of the missiles, there were still casualties, including a Palestinian civilian killed by falling debris. In response, Israel vowed swift retaliation, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating that Iran had made a “grave mistake” and that further action would be taken
Bulkeley has a SeaRAM launcher in the rear CIWS spot due to being forward deployed to BMD duty at Rota, Spain. So far only Rota based Burkes (or ones who have previously been assigned there) have SeaRAM, but there will be a general move toward all Arleigh Burkes getting either RAM or SeaRAM in the coming years (depending on the individual ship’s Aegis baseline). Currently there are 4 Burkes forward based in Rota for BMD defense of the region, but a 5th ship (Oscar Austin) is on the way over right now, and a sixth will be assigned in 2026.… Read more »
Are these ships not suppose to be providing BMD capabilities to NATO?
It’s good that the T26s have a healthy load of 48 CAMM besides the 3 MK41s. Still reckon they should look at upping the CAMM load on T45s also to 48 with forward and side silos around the Asters if not a pair of MK41s. Good investment for another 10-15 years of service life. And containerised CAMM for all types ships including RFAs, even rail, barge, truck and ground bases for GBAD!
US Navy have been very active over the past year, Over 1.3 BILLION! in missile expenditure. Insane amounts of money and something the RN cannot afford even if we get BMD capability.
The Missile Defense Advocacy website has SM-3 Block 1B at $9.6 million per copy, and the newer SM-3 Block IIA at about $30 million apiece. Per that site, the Israeli Arrow 3 is $62 million, and the US Ground Based Interceptor is $70 million.
They are hideously expensive, but they are exoatmospheric weapons specialized for longer range Ballistic missile threats, it’s just an expensive thing to do.
But a vital way to send a message to Nad Vlad and the Mad Mullahs that certain weapons launches can be intercepted at will.
There comes a point where you cannot afford not to have these kind of weapons.
I agree absolutely and wholeheartedly. In addition to the Rota-based Arleigh Burkes, NATO is defended by the Aegis Ashore sites in Poland and Romania, with SM-3 IB and IIA. I’ve read that the Germans are interested in the Israeli Arrow 3, but I don’t know the status on that.
Germany paid for the missiles in June, no idea when they are being delivered.
Imagining how difficult and horrendously costly it would be for Britain to sport a ballistic missile defence system of any kind, how much of the cost of Israel sporting such an extensive and sophisticated one is covered by the US?
Hmm…has the MoD ever broached the concept of DoD provided GBAD for all DoD tenant installations in the UK? Perhaps a topic for any required periodic renewal/renegotiation of Host government agreement? 🤔
So the US can have an excuse to pull out and move everything to Poland like they want to do anyways?
Why are 330 million Americans responsible for the defense of 450 million Europeans?
USNI is reporting that the US fired a dozen missiles of various types including the SM-3, and downed a “handful”,