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Reaper losses in Iran war
The U.S. military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the war with Iran, eliminating roughly a quarter of its fleet, according to a Washington Post report cited by Ynetnews.
“The U.S. military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the war with Iran”
Ynetnews said the losses potentially cost taxpayers more than $1.3 billion and that, before the war began, the U.S. military operated about 185 Reapers, including 165 in the Air Force and 20 in the Marine Corps.
The Independent reported that at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones have been shot down or crashed, leaving no more than 145 remaining in dwindling defense stockpiles, also citing The Washington Post.
The Independent added that the drones cost from $30 million to $50 million depending on sensors and missiles, putting the loss to taxpayers at more than $1.3 billion, and it tied the attrition to weapons used up by the Iran war and years of U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.
Ynetnews said none of the Marine Corps Reapers, deployed primarily in the Asia-Pacific region, have been lost, citing a spokesman’s comment to the newspaper.
Crash details and official pushback
Ynetnews said not all of the aircraft were shot down and that a fourth U.S. official told The Washington Post that an unspecified number crashed after operators lost communications links with them.
The Independent similarly said an unidentified official told The Post that not all of the 45 lost Reapers were downed by Iran, with an unspecified number having crashed after losing contact with their operators.
The Independent reported that, in response to an inquiry, a Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment while a White House spokesperson denied any shortages and said, "The United States Military has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump’s strategic goals and beyond, and Operation Epic Fury has exposed what happens when you mess with the United States,".
The Independent also quoted Air Force General Kenneth Wilsbach crediting Reapers with making "many, many strikes" against Iran and calling the MQ-9 "the most valuable player" in America’s weapons lineup.
In May, Ynetnews said Lt. Gen. David Tabor told senators that the remaining Reaper fleet had fallen to about 135 aircraft and that he was “concerned” about the attrition.
What comes next for U.S. inventories
Ynetnews said the Air Force was examining ways to replenish the fleet more quickly and that the Pentagon has publicly rejected reports that its stockpiles are running dangerously low.
“The administration is seeking support for a $67 billion supplemental package for the Iran war”
Ynetnews reported that the Trump administration asked Congress for tens of billions of dollars to cover war costs and rebuild inventories, seeking support for a $67 billion supplemental package for the Iran war.
The Independent added that the situation was reportedly limiting Trump’s military options, pointing to a threat from a key figure in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to prolong the fighting until Trump leaves office.
Ynetnews said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimated the conflict will cost $37.5 billion through the end of September, excluding the expense of rebuilding U.S. bases damaged by Iranian strikes.
The Independent also reported that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems stopped producing the drones last year after the Air Force said it didn’t plan to buy any more, while Ynetnews said the Pentagon is phasing out the Reaper and plans eventually to replace it with cheaper armed surveillance drones designed to operate in larger numbers.
