New Delhi: The long-standing tension between the US and Iran shows no signs of abating. Both nations are suffering significant losses in this conflict. The US has incurred a major loss regarding its MQ-9 Reaper drones, with 45 of them having been destroyed. This has resulted in a reduction of its fleet by 25 units, potentially leading to an arms shortage for the US. These drones are utilised for both surveillance and combat operations. A single Reaper drone is estimated to cost between $30 million and $50 million, depending on its sensor and weapon configuration.
The total cost of losing these 45 drones could exceed $1.3 billion. Not all of them were destroyed by enemy fire; some crashed after losing contact with their operators. Additionally, the US has faced technical issues with the drones during the conflict.
Extensive Use of Reaper Drones
The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of the US-Iran conflict, and it is precisely in this area that the US has most frequently deployed Reaper drones. These drones have seen heavy use in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime route considered vital to the entire world during the tensions.
The region remains a major flashpoint for US-Iran hostilities. Reaper drones are capable of conducting long-endurance surveillance and launching attacks when necessary. However, they have relatively low flight speeds and often operate at lower altitudes. This makes them easier targets for the Iranian military and its allied groups in Yemen and Iraq.
US Military’s Reaper Drone Inventory
Before the escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, the US possessed approximately 185 Reaper drones. Of these, 65 were operated by the Air Force and 20 by the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps has reported that it has not lost any of its Reaper drones. Meanwhile, in May, Air Force Lieutenant General David Tabor shared significant information with the US Senate.
He stated that the US military had approximately 135 Reaper drones remaining. At the time, he expressed concern over the ongoing loss of these drones. The US is now preparing to gradually phase out the older Reaper drones.
US Missile Stockpiles Depleted
The US also utilised a large number of missiles during the conflict with Iran. In the first month of the war, the US military employed over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles and more than 1,000 Patriot and THAAD missiles. The US government is seeking an additional budget of $67 billion from Congress to cover the costs of the war with Iran and replenish weapons. According to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, approximately $37.5 billion could be spent on the war by the end of September.
