The Congressional Research Service tally includes 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones and 12 F-15E fighters, while the broader cost of the Iran war has reached an estimated $43.6 billion.
At least 81 US military aircraft, helicopters and drones have been lost or damaged during the war with Iran, according to an updated Congressional Research Service (CRS) report that details the impact on American air power.
The October 5 report from the nonpartisan research arm of Congress lists 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighters, seven KC-135 refuelling aircraft and several other manned and unmanned platforms.
The tally does not mean all 81 aircraft were destroyed. Some suffered damage and were later returned to active service. The assessment covers US military operations against Iran and includes losses since February 28, when the United States and Israel began operations against Tehran.
Four F-15Es Lost During the Conflict
Four F-15E Strike Eagles were among the most significant aircraft losses recorded by CRS.
Three were destroyed over Kuwait in an apparent friendly-fire incident in early March after Kuwaiti air defences mistakenly engaged the aircraft during combat involving Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones. All six crew members ejected safely and were recovered.
A fourth F-15E was shot down during combat operations over Iran, with both crew members later rescued.
The CRS tally includes 12 F-15Es because eight additional aircraft sustained light damage during an Iranian ballistic missile attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan in September. Those aircraft were subsequently considered serviceable and returned to operations.
MQ-9 Reapers Account for the Largest Share
Unmanned aircraft account for the biggest portion of the reported losses. CRS lists 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones as lost or damaged, compared with 24 identified in an earlier version of the report released in May.
The updated list also includes two A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft, two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft, an F-35A Lightning II, an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft, an HH-60W Jolly Green II search-and-rescue helicopter and an MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone.
Four AH-6 Little Bird helicopters, three MQ-1-series drones, an AH-64 Apache and an MH-60 Sea Hawk are also included.
CRS cautioned that the figures could change because of classified information, continuing military operations, and difficulties in establishing the circumstances surrounding individual incidents.
Iran War Cost Estimated at $43.6 Billion
The financial cost of the conflict has also increased.
According to CRS, the Congressional Budget Office estimated in September that replacing equipment lost through August 1 could cost between $1.9 billion and $3.3 billion, depending on Pentagon replacement decisions.
A separate estimate provided by US Central Command to lawmakers put the overall cost of the Iran war at $43.6 billion as of September 3, according to The Associated Press.
The figure included $28.1 billion for replacing expended munitions and around $4.3 billion for equipment losses, alongside operational costs. Damage to US military bases across the Middle East was not included.
Aircraft Losses Raise Questions for US Military
The scale of the losses could create broader challenges for the US military, particularly for aircraft that are part of relatively small fleets.
CRS said the figures raise questions about whether the US has enough aircraft to meet operational requirements in other regions and how quickly it can replace damaged or destroyed platforms.
The report also highlights concerns about the US defence industrial base’s capacity to replace aircraft and drones while maintaining sufficient forces for other potential conflicts.
The Pentagon has not publicly released a single comprehensive tally of all US aircraft destroyed or damaged during the Iran conflict.
A new US report has said 12 F-15Es were destroyed or damaged in the war with Iran.
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Source: Gulf News
