Direct proof of use
Paveway IV is directly documented in the 2023 Red Sea Crisis through UK Ministry of Defence releases on RAF strike missions in Yemen. On 11 January 2024, four RAF Typhoon FGR4 aircraft, supported by Voyager air-refuelling tankers, used Paveway IV guided bombs against Houthi facilities at Bani and Abbs that the UK linked to drone, cruise-missile, and Red Sea shipping attacks.
The same official release pattern continued through later UK operations. Releases for 22 January, 3 February, 24 February, and 30 May 2024, and for 29 April 2025, each identify RAF Typhoon FGR4 aircraft using Paveway IV guided or precision-guided bombs against Houthi targets in Yemen connected by the UK to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, or Gulf of Aden.
Sources: MOD 11 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 22 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 3 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 24 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 30 May Yemen Strikes, MOD 29 April 2025 Yemen Strike
Timeline
The first disclosed RAF Paveway IV strike in the crisis came on 11 January 2024, when UK aircraft struck a drone-launch site at Bani and targets at Abbs airfield. On 22 January, four Typhoon FGR4s joined U.S. forces and used Paveway IV bombs against two military sites near Sanaa airfield.
On 3 February 2024, Typhoon FGR4s used Paveway IV bombs against targets at As Salif, Al Munirah, and Bani, including drone ground-control stations and buildings tied by the UK to Houthi drone and missile activity. On 24 February, four Typhoon FGR4s again participated in coalition strikes, including attacks on long-range drones and launchers at a former surface-to-air missile battery site northeast of Sanaa.
On 30 May 2024, RAF Typhoons used Paveway IV bombs against buildings near Hudaydah and at Ghulayfiqah associated by the UK with drone control, long-range drone storage, surface-to-air weapons, and command and control for the anti-shipping campaign. On 29 April 2025, UK forces again used Typhoon FGR4s and Paveway IV bombs against buildings south of Sanaa that the UK said were used to manufacture drones for attacks on ships.
Sources: MOD 11 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 22 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 3 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 24 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 30 May Yemen Strikes, MOD 29 April 2025 Yemen Strike
Narrative
In this conflict, Paveway IV's documented role was air-launched precision strike and interdiction by the Royal Air Force within a wider U.S.-led and partner-supported campaign against Houthi military infrastructure. Public UK target descriptions place the weapon against shore-based sites linked to drone launch, drone control, missile operations, air-defense positions, command facilities, and drone manufacturing.
The sources support operational use by RAF Typhoon FGR4 aircraft, not transfer of Paveway IV bombs to another conflict party. The named strike locations in UK releases include Bani, Abbs, the Sanaa airfield area, As Salif, Al Munirah, a former surface-to-air missile battery site northeast of Sanaa, locations near Hudaydah, Ghulayfiqah, and buildings south of Sanaa.
Sources: MOD 11 January Yemen Strikes, MOD 3 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 24 February Yemen Strikes, MOD 30 May Yemen Strikes, MOD 29 April 2025 Yemen Strike
