Houthis claim Saudi Eurofighter Typhoon hit by surface-to-air missile

Yemen’s Houthi forces have released video footage claiming to show a surface-to-air missile striking a Royal Saudi Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon.

The incident occurred over Saada Governorate on the night of 14 October, and while the Typhoon was reportedly damaged, it was not shot down.

In a statement, Houthi spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said, “By the grace of God, our armed forces were recently able to target a Saudi warplane of the “Typhoon” type that took off from Taif Air Base. It was targeted in the airspace of Saada Governorate with an air-to-air missile, struck directly, and is now at risk of crashing.”

The claim has not been independently verified, and there’s no confirmed report that an aircraft was downed.

Video appears to show Saudi Typhoon near miss with missile

While the Houthis are claiming a hit on the Typhoon, the video released looks more like a near miss. The infrared footage shows an explosion high and in front of the jet, with the pilot taking evasive action away from the blast.

A trail of what could be jet fuel can be seen coming from the port side wing following the detonation, indicating it may have been hit by shrapnel.

Houthi media has released footage purportedly showing last night’s SAM engagement against a Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Eurofighter Typhoon. The video appears to show the missile detonating near the aircraft, potentially damaging it and causing what appears to be fuel leaking from the wings.

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) October 15, 2026

A seperate video published yesterday evening showed what appeared to be a surface-to-air missile being launched in the vicinity of the claimed attack. Observers indicated it was likely a Barq missile.

Unconfirmed footage shows the launch of what may be a Barq-1/2 surface-to-air missile (SAM) toward a Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Eurofighter Typhoon over Saada Governorate. https://t.co/MAxIFJSv37

— OSINTWarfare (@OSINTWarfare) October 14, 2026

Barq is a Houthi surface-to-air missile designation, with the Barq-2 assessed to be an Iranian Taer-2 missile or a closely related derivative. It is a medium-range air-defence weapon intended to engage aircraft. Weapons specialists at Fenix Insight describe it as rail-launched and radar-guided.

The Houthis have claimed the weapon was locally made in Sanaa. If verified, this would suggest the Houthis can replenish some air defence weapons domestically, although they may still depend on Iranian components and expertise.

The incident remains unconfirmed by Saudi Arabia, and no footage of damage to a RSAF Typhoon has emerged. The latest claim follows a Houthi announcement on September 16 that it had shot down a Saudi F-15 over Marib.

The Typhoon in Saudi Arabia’s air force

Saudi Arabia purchased 72 Eurofighter Typhoons under the 2007 Salam agreement with the UK, with deliveries completed in 2017. The aircraft became a key component of the Royal Saudi Air Force’s frontline combat fleet, providing air defence and precision-strike capabilities alongside its larger force of F-15s and ageing Tornados.

Typhoon remains among the kingdom’s most capable fighters, alongside the advanced F-15SA, and represents a major element of its longstanding defence relationship with the UK.

Riyadh signed a memorandum of intent for another 48 Typhoons in March 2018, potentially taking total purchases to 120 aircraft before accounting for losses. Germany lifted its objection to the proposed sale in January 2024, removing a major political obstacle, although a firm follow-on order has yet to be publicly confirmed.

Saudi Arabia is also pursuing the F-35, with Washington approving a potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 aircraft in September 2026, subject to congressional review and final agreement. Those jets would introduce stealth capability to its fighter force, complementing the conventional combat power provided by the Typhoon and the F-15.