81 US military aircraft, drones damaged during Iran war: Report

 

Defense

81 US military aircraft, drones damaged during Iran war: Report

 

by Filip Timotija - 10/07/26 2:13 PM ET

https://thehill.com/policy/defense/6134346-us-aircraft-losses-iran-war/

 

At least 81 U.S. military aircraft and drones have been damaged or destroyed since the war against Iran began early this year, according to a new report prepared for members of Congress.

 

The Monday report, produced by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), showed the military has sustained losses of uncrewed platforms, including 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, three MQ-1 Predator drones and one MQ-4C Triton long-endurance aircraft.

 

The U.S. fighter jet fleet took a beating. Twelve F-15E Strike Eagle fighters were damaged since the war began Feb. 28, including three destroyed in Kuwait by friendly fire and eight that sustained damage in an Iranian military attack in Jordan.

 

One A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft was destroyed by Iran, while another was damaged in Jordan, according to the four-page report. One F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft was also damaged.

 

The U.S. Central Command (Centcom), which oversees the U.S. forces in the Middle East, declined to comment on the report.

 

Seven KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft have been affected by the war, with one crashing in Iraq that resulted in the deaths of all six aircrew members. The second one made an emergency landing. Five KC-135 Stratotankers were damaged in Saudi Arabia.

 

One E-3 Sentry airborne early warning-and-control system aircraft was damaged at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, while two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft were intentionally destroyed in April while supporting search-and-rescue operations for a downed F-15E, according to the report.

 

The CRS report comes as the cost of the war has gone up. Centcom told congressional defense committees in mid-September that the price tag of the conflict was $43.6 billion. The Pentagon’s estimate did not include the $1.5 billion for fuel and other costs.

 

A report from the Congressional Budget Office warned the war could drive up inflation early next year.

 

President Trump and other administration officials have defended the reasons for launching the war. The commander in chief said recently it is possible the conflict could cost the Republican Party the majority in Congress.

 

A Pentagon watchdog’s report from last month said U.S. diplomatic facilities in four Persian Gulf countries — Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — sustained $184 million in estimated damage from Iranian military strikes.