52 US military aircraft, lost, damaged during Iran war: Report
A CRS report says the US military lost or suffered damage to 52 aircraft during Operation Epic Fury against Iran
The US military has lost and suffered damage to 52 aircraft, including fighter jets and drones, during its Operation Epic Fury against Iran, stated an official report, adding that the numbers might change in view of the ongoing conflict and several other factors.
The revelation was made in a report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), which further stated that the number of aircraft damaged or destroyed may remain subject to revision due to multiple factors, including classification, ongoing combat activity, and attribution.
Aircraft losses detailed
According to the report, the list of destroyed and damaged US aircraft during the conflict with Iran include four F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, one F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft, one A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft, seven KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refuelling aircraft, one E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, two MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft, one HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter, 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and one MQ-4C Triton drone.
Also Read: Trump holds off planned strikes on Iran at Arab leaders' request
The report on the loss of US military aircraft was compiled by the CRS by perusing news reports and statements by the Department of Defence and the US Central Command. The CRS provides policy and legal analysis to the US Congress and committees.
Pentagon raises cost estimate
During a hearing of the House Appropriations subcommittee on May 12, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules W Hurst III testified that the department’s cost estimate for military operations in Iran has increased to USD 29 billion.
Also Read: BRICS meet: Heated exchanges between Iran and UAE over West Asia conflict
“A lot of that increase comes from having a refined estimate on repair or replacement costs for equipment,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi shared the CRS report on X and said the US had itself acknowledged that Iran had gained experience and operational knowledge during the two months of combat before the ceasefire declared in April.
Iran issues warning to US
He said Tehran would apply the lessons learned and warned that any decision by US President Donald Trump to resume military operations against the Islamic Republic would bring "many more surprises" for American forces.
"Months after initiation of war on Iran, US Congress acknowledges loss of dozens of aircraft worth billions. Our powerful Armed Forces are confirmed as 1st to strike down a touted F-35. With lessons learned and knowledge we gained, return to war will feature many more surprises," he said.
The conflict in Iran began on February 28 after the US and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iranian targets, resulting in the deaths of several senior figures, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
(With agency inputs)