BRITAIN is on the brink of blasting bases in Yemen after Iran-backed Houthi rebels aimed their biggest missile and drone strike at a Royal Navy warship.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps warned the military might was in place “to do what needs to be done”.

Asked if Britain would launch strikes on Yemen, he responded: “Watch this space”.

It came hours after HMS Diamond unleashed a devastating barrage of Sea Viper missiles and anti-aircraft cannon to defend itself and nearby ships in the Red Sea.

Shapps said the Type 45 destroyer, with 260 crew, appeared to have been targeted in strikes on Tuesday night but the drones and missiles were downed with “no injuries or damage sustained to HMS Diamond or her crew”.

He vowed the Houthi rebels would face “consequences” for launching their largest ever attack on shipping with 18 kamikaze drones, two anti-ship cruise missiles and a ballistic anti-ship missile on Tuesday night.

He also vowed to lobby the Treasury to ramp up spending on defence to 2.5 per cent of GDP.

He said: “We’re living in much more dangerous times.”

Asked if he would press for a rise in the next budget, he said: “Yeah for sure. I am on record saying I think it should be 3 per cent.

“Let’s get to 2.5 per cent first. But I absolutely believe we need spend more.”

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