According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the war in Iran has caused significant damage to US military assets, with losses and repairs within the first three weeks estimated at between $1.4 billion and $2.9 billion.The bulk of the damage has been attributed to Iranian ballistic missiles and drone attacks targeting US and allied infrastructure in the Middle East. The Pentagon is expected to account for these losses in a proposed $200 billion supplemental spending request sent to the White House.
loss of fighter planes
The greatest losses involved advanced fighter aircraft. On 1 March, three F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft were accidentally shot down by Kuwaiti F/A-18s, although all six crew members ejected safely. Each jet is estimated to cost approximately $100 million.On March 19, an F-35A Lightning II also made an emergency landing, after Iran claimed it had targeted the aircraft. Each F-35A costs about $82.5 million.
Loss of tankers and personnel
The conflict has also affected air refueling operations. A KC-135 Stratotanker crashes in Iraq after colliding mid-air with another tanker, killing six crew members.In addition, five KC-135 aircraft were damaged during an Iranian missile attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Since the aircraft is no longer manufactured, replacements are likely to be KC-46 Pegasus, each costing about $165 million.
drone fleet hit
Unmanned aerial systems have repeatedly suffered losses. More than a dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost since the conflict began.This includes at least eight downed by Iranian missiles, three destroyed on the ground and one downed by a Persian Gulf country. Each MQ-9 costs at least $16 million, while the new MQ-9B variant costs about $30 million.
Missile defense and radar damage
Key surveillance and missile defense systems have also been targeted. An AN/TPY-2 radar in Jordan, part of a THAAD battery, was attacked, with an estimated cost of over $300 million.In Qatar, damage was reported to the AN/FPS-132 radar at Al-Udeid Air Base, a high-value system capable of tracking multiple threats simultaneously and costing approximately $1 billion.Additional attacks have reportedly affected radar, communications and air-defense systems in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
blow to navy
In addition to war-related damage, operational incidents have also increased the total cost. On March 12, a fire broke out aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, affecting several parts of the ship, including living quarters. The carrier is currently undergoing repairs in Greece.
incremental cost
The initial financial loss reflects the scale of material losses in the conflict, even without a full-scale ground war. With high-value platforms, surveillance systems and drones affected, total costs are expected to increase further as operations continue.
