The war in Iran has inflicted significant damage on US military assets, with losses and repairs estimated at between $1.4 billion and $2.9 billion during the first three weeks, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.The bulk of the damage has been attributed to Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting US and allied infrastructure throughout the Middle East. The Pentagon is expected to take these losses into account in a proposed $200 billion additional spending request sent to the White House.
“Israeli hospitals are overflowing…”: Arab fighters launch a major attack; Soldiers are bleeding, and evacuations are underway
Fighter aircraft losses
Among the most valuable losses are advanced fighter aircraft. A Kuwaiti F/A-18 mistakenly shot down three F-15E Strike Eagles on March 1, though all six crew members escaped safely. The cost of each plane is estimated at about $100 million.An F-35A Lightning II also made an emergency landing on March 19, and Iran claimed it targeted the plane. Each F-35A is worth approximately $82.5 million.
Losses of tankers and personnel
The conflict also affected air refueling operations. A KC-135 Stratotanker crashed over Iraq after colliding in midair 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 plane is no longer being manufactured, the replacements will likely be the KC-46 Pegasus, which each cost about $165 million.
Drone fleet struck
Unmanned aerial systems have suffered repeated losses. More than a dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost since the conflict began.This includes at least eight shot down by Iranian missiles, three destroyed on the ground and one shot down by a Gulf state. Each MQ-9 costs at least $16 million, while the newer MQ-9B models are priced at around $30 million.
Missile defense and radar damage
Key surveillance and missile defense systems were also targeted. An AN/TPY-2 radar in Jordan, part of a THAAD battery, was struck at an estimated cost of more than $300 million.In Qatar, the AN/FPS-132 radar at Al Udeid Air Base, a high-value system capable of tracking multiple threats simultaneously and at a cost of about $1 billion, was reported damaged.Additional attacks have reportedly affected radar, communications and air defense systems in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
Marine setback
Aside from combat-related damage, operational incidents also increased the overall cost. A fire broke out aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford on March 12, affecting multiple parts of the ship, including living quarters. The carrier is currently undergoing repairs in Greece.
The cost of escalation
The early financial losses reflect the scale of the material toll in the conflict, even without a large-scale ground war. With high-value platforms, surveillance systems and drones affected, the total cost is expected to rise further as operations continue.
