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US loses 25% of MQ-9 Reaper drone fleet in Iran conflict
The United States has lost approximately 25% of its MQ-9 Reaper drone fleet during the ongoing conflict with Iran. According to reports from The Washington Post, at least 45 of the 185 aircraft in the pre-war fleet have been lost, primarily due to operations over Iran and near the Strait of Hormuz.
The losses, which include aircraft shot down by Iranian air defenses and others that crashed after losing contact with operators, are estimated to cost taxpayers at least 1.3 billion dollars. Some drones were also reportedly destroyed at US military bases during Iranian strikes.
Defense analysts suggest the attrition may be an acceptable operational risk, as the Reapers provided critical surveillance and targeting for mobile Iranian missile forces without risking human pilots. However, the depletion of this costly capability is prompting a shift in US strategy. The Department of Defense is gradually deactivating the MQ-9 Reaper in favor of cheaper, expendable drones capable of swarm attacks. To address the depletion of resources and replenish stocks, the US administration has requested 67 billion dollars from Congress.
Entities
General Atomics · Iran · Stacie Pettyjohn · United States · Washington Post
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Some MQ-9 Reapers crashed after operators lost contact with them rather than being intercepted. www.kurir.rs
- [● 3 SOURCES] The financial loss from the destroyed drones exceeds 1.3 billion dollars. www.kurir.rs · www.stoxos.gr · www.newarab.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The US administration requested 67 billion dollars from Congress to replenish war costs and supplies. www.kurir.rs
- [● 3 SOURCES] The loss of 45 drones represents roughly 25% of the pre-war US MQ-9 Reaper fleet of 185 units. www.kurir.rs · www.stoxos.gr · www.newarab.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The loss of Reapers was considered an acceptable risk to assist in targeting Iranian mobile drone and missile forces. www.newarab.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The US Department of Defense is gradually deactivating the MQ-9 Reaper in favor of cheaper, swarm-capable drones. www.kurir.rs