The New York Times reveals evidence of hydrogen fuel cell components being smuggled to the Houthis in Yemen.

Mr. Khan said it was not yet possible to determine whether these materials had arrived directly from China. However, obtaining a new source of weapons components could provide the Houthis with strategic support.

Khan added that Houthi arms shipments intercepted at sea are typically manufactured in or shipped from Iran. He said, "If the Houthis acquired this equipment on their own, the shipment we saw may indicate a new supply chain from commercial markets that increases their self-reliance, rather than relying solely on their regional backers."

The boat Mr. Khan examined was intercepted at sea in August by Yemeni National Resistance Forces, which are affiliated with the internationally recognized government.

The materials found on board included guided artillery rockets, small European-made engines that can be used to power cruise missiles, radars, and ship tracking devices, in addition to hundreds of commercial drones and hydrogen fuel cell components.

According to the newspaper, generating electricity using hydrogen fuel cells is not a new technology; its use dates back decades, and NASA used it during the Apollo missions.

Its use in powering military drones began in the late 2000s during the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since then, the use of hydrogen power in military drones has become increasingly common.

The potential for increased flight range makes it an attractive option for commercial uses, such as inspecting pipelines, power lines, and offshore wind farms, according to Andy Kelly of Intelligent Energy. British, which manufactures hydrogen fuel cells used in drones, which several American companies currently sell to the US Department of Defense.

"The longer drones can stay in the air, the more data they can collect," Kelly said. "This is essential for long-range reconnaissance."

He explained that hydrogen systems can store three times more energy than lithium batteries of similar weight, allowing drone operators to carry larger loads and fly longer distances.

He also noted that fuel cells produce fewer vibrations than traditional combustion engines, which helps stabilize cameras and sensors on surveillance drones.

He added that they can be reused many more times than the rechargeable batteries typically used to power drones.

Conflict Armament Research declined to identify the Chinese companies that manufactured the components found near Yemen, in compliance with a policy that ensures it can confidentially work with companies to determine how their products ended up in the hands of various parties.

Source: New York Times