An Italian navy ship shot down a drone flying towards it in the Red Sea on Saturday, the defence ministry said.

A ministry statement described the action as self-defense by the Duilio, which is helping protect trade routes from drone and missile attacks by Yemen's Houthi militia.

"The drone, with similar characteristics to those already used in previous attacks, was about 6 km (3.73 miles) from the Italian ship, flying towards it," the statement said.