German Navy Braunschweig-class corvette Ludwigshafen am Rhein. (Picture source: German MoD)

ArmyRecognition’s Navy News reports,

According to information published Die Zeit on October 17, 2024, the German Navy corvette Ludwigshafen am Rhein, deployed as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), successfully intercepted and neutralized an approaching drone near the Lebanese coast.

Unfortunately, the report does not specify which defensive system brought down the drone, but the corvette is relatively small, only a little larger than a WMEC270, and compared to the American DDGs that have been operating against kamikaze drones in the Red Sea, their options were limited.  It has two 21 cell RAM (rolling airframe missile) launcher, a 76 mm gun similar to that found on the WMEC270s, two 27mm guns, and an Electronic Countermeasures System.

Most US successes against drones have involved air to air intercepts or the use of very expensive standard missiles, with some attributed to medium range ESSMs (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles). In one case a drone was brought down by a Phalanx CIWS (Close in Weapon System) like that mounted on the National Security Cutters, but that was a last ditch effort not a weapon of choice.

The Italian Navy, showing great confidence in their 76mm Strales system, shot down a kamikaze drone after forgoing an opportunity to engage it with surface to air missiles.

Hopefully we will learn more about this incident.