Bloomberg: US loses major share of MQ-9 fleet in conflict with Iran

Iran has destroyed more than two dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones operated by US forces since the start of the war, representing losses valued at nearly $1 billion and accounting for roughly 20% of the Pentagon’s prewar inventory of the high-end unmanned system.

According to a person with direct knowledge of the matter, quoted by Bloomberg, at least 24 Reapers have been lost, with the total possibly reaching as many as 30 when including drones that were damaged and later written off. This figure exceeds earlier estimates, including a recent Congressional Research Service report that cited 24 losses.

The losses occurred under a range of circumstances. Many of the drones were shot down mid-flight by Iranian fire, while others were destroyed on the ground in missile strikes or lost in operational accidents. The MQ-9 Reaper, a propeller-driven strike drone manufactured by General Atomics, costs approximately $30 million per unit and is equipped with advanced surveillance systems, including high-resolution cameras. It is also capable of carrying weapons such as Hellfire missiles and Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) guided bombs.

The aircraft have been extensively deployed during the conflict, as US commanders have relied on unmanned systems to reduce risks to personnel. Despite US strikes that have significantly degraded Iran’s military capabilities, including elements of its air defence network, parts of Iranian airspace remain contested and hazardous.

“Prosecuting war from a distance still comes with a cost,” said Becca Wasser. “MQ-9s may be attritable as they are uncrewed, but they are too expensive and too few with no active production line to be considered expendable.”

The Reaper is no longer in production for US forces, complicating efforts to replace losses. Only about 10 units of its successor, the jet-powered Avenger drone, have been built, although variants of the Reaper continue to be produced for international customers.

The drone losses add to the mounting costs of the US and Israeli military campaign against Iran, which has involved the expenditure of thousands of high-end munitions, including Tomahawk and JASSM-ER cruise missiles.

In addition to unmanned systems, the US has also lost two crewed aircraft over Iran: an F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Thunderbolt II, though all crew members were successfully rescued. Other reported losses include an E-3 airborne warning and control system aircraft, KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers, three additional F-15 fighter jets, and two MC-130J multi-role cargo aircraft. Replacing these platforms would cost billions of dollars.

US forces have also lost or sustained damage to radar systems valued at hundreds of millions of dollars each, further increasing the financial and operational toll of the conflict.

The war began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, followed by weeks of hostilities. Since April 8, the sides have maintained an uneasy ceasefire, though sporadic strikes have continued.

By Tamilla Hasanova