US has lost or sustained damage to 81 military aircraft worth up to $3.3 billion in Iran war, congressional report says

A Congressional Research Service report released this week reveals that the United States military has lost or sustained damage to 81 aircraft during the war with Iran. This includes a mix of airplanes, helicopters, and drones, with the MQ-9 Reaper drone accounting for over half of the losses. Among the most significant losses are high-value assets such as an F-35A fighter jet and an E-3 Sentry, a four-engine radar-equipped aircraft.

The total cost of the aircraft lost is estimated to be between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion, depending on replacement plans, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The overall war cost is reported to be higher, at least $45 billion, excluding infrastructure damage at US bases in the region. The report raises concerns about whether lawmakers have sufficient information from the Pentagon to assess the impact of these losses and determine necessary remedies.

It also questions the availability of industrial capacity for repairs or replacements and the effects on US military sales to foreign partners. The report queries if certain high-demand platforms like the E-3 Sentry, due to their aging nature and limited availability, have created capability gaps or increased risks in other theaters.

Analysts have noted that the Middle East, including Iran war actions, has particularly affected the MQ-9 drones, which the Air Force considers its most valuable asset in the conflict. Over 45 MQ-9s have been lost in the Middle East this year, a rate deemed "alarming" by the Atlantic Council. The Air Force has lost approximately 35% of its MQ-9 fleet since 2004.