Grant Shapps, the defence secretary, said the drones had been heading towards HMS Diamond, a Type 45 destroyer deployed by the UK to help protect shipping in the region, as well as commercial vessels on Tuesday night.
American warplanes, operating from a giant aircraft carrier, as well as other US warships, also took part in the mission along with the British destroyer.
Mr Shapps, in a statement released on social media, detailed the UK involvement: "Overnight, HMS Diamond, along with US warships, successfully repelled the largest attack from the Iranian-backed Houthis in the Red Sea to date.
"The UK alongside allies have previously made clear that these illegal attacks are completely unacceptable and if continued the Houthis will bear the consequences.
A US-led coalition of nations has been patrolling the Red Sea to try and prevent the attacks.
Private intelligence firm Ambrey said ships described over the radio seeing missiles and drones, with US-allied warships in the area urging “vessels to proceed at maximum speed”.
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