US lost 45 Reaper drones in Iran war, representing 25% fleet worth $1.3 bn: Report
The US military has faced the loss of forty-five MQ-9 Reaper drones amid its ongoing tensions with Iran. This figure not only highlights a considerable depletion of their fleet but also signifies a financial hit exceeding one billion dollars. The drones have been heavily deployed around the Strait of Hormuz, revealing their susceptibility.
The US military has suffered significant losses, losing at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during its conflict with Iran. This represents approximately 25% of the total Reaper fleet, valued at over $1.3 billion, according to three US officials. The drones, primarily used for surveillance and targeted strikes, have been extensively employed around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route that has become a focal point in the ongoing conflict.
Their slow speed and low-altitude operations have made them susceptible to Iranian forces and groups aligned with Iran in Yemen and Iraq. While not all the drones were shot down, some crashed due to communication link failures, as confirmed by a fourth US official. The US military began the conflict with around 185 Reapers, comprising 165 operated by the Air Force and 20 by the Marine Corps.
None of the Marine Corps Reapers have been lost, as stated by a Marine Corps spokesman. The Air Force has expressed concerns over the losses and is exploring replenishment options. The Pentagon is in the process of replacing the Reaper with a new generation of armed surveillance drones capable of swarm operations, which are expected to be cheaper.
This depletion of resources adds to the mounting pressure on US military inventories following months of intense fighting with Iran and the prolonged military support provided to Ukraine.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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