Experts analyzing the South Korean vessel Namuhho said the ship's damage is consistent with a high-impact strike from an anti-ship missile.
The findings are significant because they challenge the theory that a low-altitude suicide drone was responsible for the attack. By identifying the specific weapon type, investigators can better determine the capabilities and origin of the attacker.
Analysts said the Namuhho showed a distinct tear-out of the hull. The impact zone was located between one and 1.5 meters [1] above the water line. This specific height and the resulting structural failure suggest a projectile with high velocity and a reduced warhead, which is characteristic of certain anti-ship missiles [1].
These patterns closely mirror a separate incident involving a Thai bulk carrier that occurred in March [1]. In that case, the damage also indicated a high-speed impact rather than a smaller, descending explosive device.
Experts said the damage compared to the potential payload of a suicide drone. They noted that a typical drone-borne bomb carries an explosive payload of approximately 50 kilograms [1]. According to the analysts, such a payload would likely produce a different signature than the one observed on the Namuhho hull [1].
The Namuhho incident was first reported in May 2024 [1]. The current analysis focuses on the physical evidence of the strike to narrow down the list of possible weapons used in the attack.
“The ship showed damage consistent with a high-impact strike.”
The shift in attribution from a drone to an anti-ship missile suggests a higher level of military sophistication. While suicide drones are often used for asymmetric warfare by non-state actors or smaller units, anti-ship missiles typically require more advanced targeting systems and launch platforms, potentially narrowing the list of suspects to state-level actors or well-equipped militaries.
