US Loses and Damages 81 Military Aircraft in Iran Conflict... Losses Up to KRW 4.4 Trillion

The United States suffered damage or destruction to 81 military aircraft during the conflict with Iran, incurring losses of up to $3.3 billion, or approximately KRW 4.43 trillion, CNN reported on the 8th local time, citing a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report.

CNN pointed out that MQ-9 Reaper drones, used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, close air support, and combat search and rescue missions, accounted for more than half of the total losses.

The MQ-9 Reaper drone, a main strike unmanned aerial vehicle of the U.S. military, is also dubbed the "sky assassin" as it undertakes precision strike and targeted elimination missions. Each unit costs between $30 million and $50 million (approx. KRW 40.2 billion to 67.1 billion) depending on the equipped sensors and weapon types.

Previously, U.S. media reported in August, citing U.S. officials, that the U.S. military had lost at least 45 of these drones following the conflict with Iran.

In addition, the F-35A stealth fighter and the E-3 Sentry airborne early warning and control aircraft, which acts as the "eyes in the sky," were included in the loss tally.

The report stated that the total cost of the damaged military aircraft ranges from $1.9 billion (approx. KRW 2.55 trillion) to $3.3 billion.

The total cost incurred in the Iran conflict is even higher, reaching at least $45 billion (approx. KRW 60.4 trillion), and this figure does not include damage to U.S. military base infrastructure in the Middle East.

CNN explained that this report was based on figures included in statements from the U.S. Department of Defense, the Pentagon Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations against Iran, as well as news reports reviewed by the CRS.

Experts point out that operations in the Middle East, including not only the conflict with Iran but also previous confrontations with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, have dealt a heavy blow to the MQ-9 Reaper drones, according to CNN.

The Atlantic Council, a U.S. think tank, stated in a September report that 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones were damaged in the Middle East this year, noting that this amounts to losing about 35% of the drones the U.S. Air Force has possessed since 2004, which it assessed as an "alarming level."

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.