The Houthi rebels possess a limited number of long-range missiles and drones capable of sporadic attacks on Israel. Their missiles, such as the Palestine-2, pose a challenge to Israeli defense systems, but limited numbers, outdated technology, and economic frailty prevent them from sustaining prolonged conflict with Israel.
Officially known as Ansar Allah, the Houthi rebels are an armed group in Yemen backed by Iran, controlling large portions of northern and western Yemen. Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in 2023, they have launched missile and drone attacks against Israel. The question remains: Do they possess sufficient weaponry to confront a militarily superior nation like Israel?
Houthi Rebel Arsenal
Primarily reliant on support from Iran, the Houthi rebels' armament includes missiles, drones, and other weapons, supplemented by aid from countries like North Korea and Russia. Here’s a look at their key weapons...
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1. Ballistic Missiles
Toufan:
A surface-to-surface ballistic missile, with a range of about 1800 km, based on Iran’s Ghadr missile.
Zulfiqar:
A variant of the Scud missile with an extended range reaching up to 2000 km, potentially threatening Israel.
Quds-2:
Specifically designed to target Israel, with a range of 1350 km.
Palestine-2:
Claimed by the Houthis to be a hypersonic missile, with a speculative range of 2150 km and speed 16 times the speed of sound. However, experts doubt this claim as only a few countries (USA, Russia, China) possess such technology.
Other Missiles:
The Houthis also have Scud-B, Scud-C, Hwasong, Tochka, Kahir-1, and Zelzal-3 missiles, many acquired from the Yemeni military or supplied by Iran.
Source: aajtak
2. Cruise Missiles
The Houthi rebels have Iranian Soumar cruise missiles with a range of approximately 2000 km, capable of reaching Israel.
Anti-Ship Missiles:
They possess C-802 anti-ship cruise missiles and possibly Russian-made P-800 Oniks missiles, sourced via Iran and Syria, primarily used for maritime attacks in the Red Sea.
3. Drones (UAVs)
Samad-3 and Samad-4:
Long-range loitering munitions (suicidal drones) with a range of 1800 km or more, similar to Iran’s Shahed drones, used in attacks on Israel, such as the one over Tel Aviv in July 2024.
Wa’id Drones:
Similar to Iran’s Shahed-136 drones with a 2500 km range.
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Naval Drones:
7-meter long unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) loaded with explosives, utilized for maritime attacks in the Red Sea.
4. Air Defense Systems
Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs):
The Houthi rebels have Iranian-manufactured “358” and possibly “359” loitering SAMs with a range of 150 km, a speed of 1,000 km/h, and an altitude of 30,000 feet. The “359” features parachute recovery for reuse. These systems have shot down approximately 20 US MQ-9 Reaper drones, showcasing their air defense capability.
Older Systems:
They also possess shoulder-launched, heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles, some Chinese or Iranian-made and seized by the US Navy in 2013.
Source: aajtak
5. Other Weapons
Artillery Rockets and Small Arms:
The Houthis have thousands of AK-47 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and 0.50-caliber machine guns, mostly received from Iran or captured from the Yemeni army.
Local Production:
They claim to produce most of their weapons locally, but experts believe it's not feasible without technological support and part smuggling from Iran.
Limitations of Houthi Military Capability
Despite possessing some advanced weapons, the Houthi rebels face multiple limitations, including around 20-30 thousand fighters.
Limited Numbers: Israeli estimates suggest that the Houthis have only a few dozen ballistic missiles and launchers, insufficient for repeat attacks.
Maintenance and Training: Their weapons are old or hampered by lack of maintenance, alongside a shortage of trained personnel for advanced arms handling.
Economic Weakness: Yemen's economy is weakened by civil war, complicating the rebels’ weapon supply and maintenance.
Dependency: Reliance on Iran for arms and technical support limits their autonomy.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Military Strength
The Israeli military, known as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), ranks among the most advanced and powerful in the Middle East. According to Global Firepower 2025, Israel's military power index (PwrIndx) is 0.2661, positioning it 15th worldwide.
Source: aajtak
1. Air Force
Fighter Jets: Israel boasts F-35 stealth fighter jets, F-15s, and F-16s, among the most advanced combat aircraft globally.
Drones: A world leader in drone technology, Israel employs advanced drones like Hermes and Heron for surveillance and attacks.
Helicopters: Apache and other attack helicopters bolster IDF capabilities.
Missile Defense Systems: Israel’s Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow-2/3 systems provide multilayer defense against ballistic missiles, rockets, and drones.
2. Navy
Submarines: Israel's fleet includes German-built Dolphin-class submarines, reportedly nuclear-capable.
Missile Boats: Sa’ar 5 and Sa’ar 6 corvettes, armed with advanced missiles and radar systems, secure defenses in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
Anti-Ship Missiles: Harpoon and Gabriel missiles excel in naval warfare.
3. Ground Forces
Tanks: The Merkava Mark IV tank, one of the most advanced globally, forms the backbone of IDF ground forces.
Artillery and Missiles: Precision artillery and long-range missiles like LORA (Long Range Artillery) bolster their arsenal.
Infantry: Israeli infantry personnel train with advanced weapons and technology, including night vision, drones, and smart weapons.
Source: aajtak
4. Nuclear Capability
While not officially confirmed, experts believe Israel holds 80-200 nuclear weapons, enhancing its strategic strength.
5. Defense Budget and International Support
Defense Budget:
Israel allocates a significant portion of its GDP (around 24 billion USD by 2025 estimates) to defense, enabling technological and military advancement.
International Support:
Extensive military and financial aid from the USA includes advanced weaponry and missile defense systems.
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6. Missile Defense Systems
Iron Dome: Over 90% success in intercepting short-range rockets and drones.
Arrow-2/3: Effective against long-range ballistic missiles, having intercepted Houthi missiles repeatedly.
David's Sling: Designed for medium-range missiles and drones.
THAAD: US-provided Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System, effective against Houthi missiles since deployment in Israel in 2024.
Comparing Houthi and Israeli Military Strength
The military capabilities of Houthi rebels and Israel diverge significantly across numerous aspects.
Source: aajtak
1. Weapon Quality and Technology
Houthi Rebels:
Mostly reliant on Iranian-supplied arms with some outdated technology. Missiles and drones can execute long-range strikes, though precision and reliability are limited. Hypersonic missile claims remain doubtful.
Israel:
Equipped with some of the world's most advanced military technologies, including stealth fighter jets, precision missiles, and multilayer missile defense systems, far surpassing Houthi capabilities.
2. Numbers and Resources
Houthi Rebels:
Limited missile and launcher inventory (a few dozen as per Israeli estimates) and economic difficulties. Dependence on Iran offers additional constraints.
Israel:
Extensive arms reserves, advanced military tools, and a substantial defense budget, strengthened by American support, boost its military prowess.
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3. Air Defense
Houthi Rebels:
Some effectiveness in their air defense systems, like the “358” and “359” SAMs, which have downed US drones but remain weaker compared to Israeli missile defense configurations.
Israel:
Israel’s missile defense systems (Iron Dome, Arrow, David's Sling, THAAD) regularly achieve over 90% success in neutralizing Houthi rockets and drones.
Source: aajtak
4. Strategic Position
Houthi Rebels:
Geographically distant from Israel (1800-2000 km), heavily reliant on long-range missiles and drones for attacks. Strategy includes symbolic Red Sea maritime strikes and sporadic Israeli assaults for propaganda.
Israel:
Focuses on defense and swift counter-actions. Its air force and navy efficiently target Houthi bases in Yemen, evidenced by recent strikes in Al Hudaydah and Sana'a.
Can Houthi Rebels Stand Against Israel?
Possessing advanced armaments, such as long-range missiles and drones reaching Israel, Houthi rebels present strategic challenges. A Houthi missile succeeded in bypassing American THAAD and Israeli Arrow systems, striking near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport in May 2025. This indicates a potential threat to Israeli defense, but overall, their military capability remains significantly inferior.
Source: aajtak
Key Factors
Limited Resources:
Houthi rebels possess limited arms and resources, contrasting Israel’s substantial weaponry and advanced technology.
Defense System Discrepancies:
Israel's multilayer missile defenses have intercepted over 90% of Houthi attacks. Conversely, Houthi air defenses struggle against Israeli aerial strategies.
Economic and Strategic Disparities:
Israel’s robust economy, advanced tech, and US backing significantly outweigh Houthi capabilities. The rebels' economic fragility and reliance on Iran further disadvantage them.
Nature of Attacks:
Houthi strikes primarily serve symbolic purposes, incapable of causing severe damage to Israel. Conversely, Israeli offensives (such as in Al Hudaydah) severely impair Houthi military and economic potentials.
