US lost 45 Reaper drones in Iran war, raising supply concerns for future hostilities - report
In May, Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach told the House Armed Services committee that during the war, the Reaper was "perhaps the most valuable player."
The US has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during Operation Epic Fury, representing 25% of its prewar fleet, according to the Washington Post. Three US officials familiar with the situation revealed this information. While some drones were likely lost due to anti-drone measures, others were downed due to communication failures between the drone and its operator.
The US Department of Defense has not commented on the report. In July, a US defense official had previously stated that Iran had downed around 30 Reapers. Since the start of the war in February, Iran has frequently claimed to have downed these drones.
MQ-9 Reaper drones can cost up to $50 million each, though some models are cheaper due to specific equipment. They have longer flight times than most Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and can carry a payload of up to 1,700 kg, making them a potent threat to enemy targets. The US heavily relied on these drones during the Iran war. In May, Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach described the Reaper as "perhaps the most valuable player" in the conflict, having been used in numerous strikes.
However, reports of a Reaper shortage have emerged as supply issues have been reported in recent weeks. The potential shortage of drones could pose a significant challenge, especially as the White House considers whether to resume full-scale operations in Iran or seek an end to the hostilities.
Defense Department officials have denied the reports of a Reaper shortage. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has ordered defense industry leaders to expedite weapons production, with Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg urging for a dramatic acceleration of program schedules and expanded production capacity.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
