The United States lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper surveillance and strike drones during its war with Iran, according to a report by The Washington Post. The losses represent about one-fourth of the US Reaper fleet and could have cost American taxpayers more than $1.3 billion, the newspaper reported on Thursday, citing US officials.
However, not all of the drones were destroyed by enemy fire. One US official told The Washington Post that some Reapers crashed after losing communication with their operators.
Reapers Played A Major Role In US Operations
The United States had around 185 MQ-9 Reapers when the war began on February 28, the report said. The Air Force operated 165 of them, while the Marine Corps had another 20. None of the Marine Corps-operated Reapers were lost during the conflict. These drones are generally deployed in the Asia-Pacific region.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a remotely operated aircraft manufactured by General Atomics. It can conduct long-duration surveillance missions and carry out precision strikes. The US first introduced the Reaper in 2007. Since then, the military has used the drone extensively in counterterrorism operations and conflicts in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Each Reaper Can Cost Tens Of Millions Of Dollars
The cost of an MQ-9 Reaper is estimated at between $30 million and $50 million, depending on its equipment, sensors and weapons. The overall price can rise significantly when a complete operational package is included. Such packages can involve ground control stations, satellite communication systems and weapons.
With at least 45 Reapers lost during the Iran conflict, the financial impact could therefore be substantial.
Several Drones Were Shot Down Over Strait Of Hormuz
According to The Washington Post, several Reapers were shot down while conducting missions mainly over the Strait of Hormuz. US officials were reportedly surprised by how accurately the drones were targeted. The losses highlight the growing risks faced by remotely operated aircraft when they operate in contested airspace.
The Reapers depend on communication links between the aircraft and their operators. A loss of that connection can also put the aircraft at risk, and some of the reported losses occurred after communication links were disrupted.
Drone Losses Add To US Weapons Pressure
The Reaper losses come as the United States faces wider concerns over its military weapons stocks. Several US media reports have said that Washington has also used up large quantities of precision surface-to-surface missiles during the conflict with Iran.
Reuters reported earlier this month that “Virtually all" of the expensive weapons, some of which cost more than $1 million each, had been depleted during the nearly six-month conflict.
The depletion has raised concerns about how quickly the US military can rebuild its stocks while maintaining its ability to respond to other potential conflicts.
Trump Administration Seeks More War Funding
The Trump administration is now seeking congressional approval for a $67 billion war funding package. US officials have warned that rebuilding supplies of munitions, missile interceptors and drones could take years.
The latest Reaper losses could add further pressure on the Pentagon as it works to restore its unmanned aircraft fleet. The Washington Post reported that the Pentagon declined to comment on the reported number of Reapers lost during the conflict.