Washington: The United States has lost or suffered damage to at least 81 military aircraft and drones since the beginning of its war with Iran, with the total value of the losses estimated at nearly $3.3 billion, according to a new Congressional Research Service report.
The report, titled “US Aircraft Combat Damage in Operation Epic Fury: Considerations for Congress,” provides a rare official assessment of American military aircraft losses during the conflict. It includes several advanced aircraft, including F-35A Lightning II fighter jets, F-15E Strike Eagles and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
According to the report, US forces lost 12 F-15E aircraft, one F-35A Lightning II, two A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft and seven KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft. Each F-15 is estimated to cost more than $30 million, while an F-35A is valued at more than $92 million.
Three F-15 jets were reportedly shot down in a friendly-fire incident over Kuwait on March 2. Another F-15 was shot down over Iran the following month. The report also said at least eight other F-15Es suffered minor damage during Iranian airstrikes on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on September 9 and 10.
The losses also include one E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft, two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft, one HH-60W Jolly Green II rescue helicopter and one MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft. In addition, the US military lost three MQ-1 drones and 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones.
The MQ-9 Reaper is estimated to cost between $30 million and $50 million per aircraft. The E-3 Sentry, an ageing but important surveillance platform based on the Boeing 707, is valued at around $270 million.
US forces also lost one AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, four AH-6 Little Bird light attack helicopters and one MH-60 Sea Hawk maritime helicopter during combat operations.
The Congressional Research Service cautioned that the figures could change because some details remain classified and military operations are continuing. It also noted that some damaged aircraft could eventually return to service after repairs.
The financial cost of the conflict extends beyond aircraft losses. The estimated cost of weapons used by the US military in Iran has reportedly risen by more than $6 billion, from $21.7 billion in an earlier Congressional Budget Office estimate to $28.1 billion according to US Central Command.
The White House and the Pentagon have not yet publicly commented on the report.
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