US lost $1.3 billion worth of drones in the war against Iran

According to the US Air Force, a single Reaper drone costs between $30 and $50 million, depending on its sensor and weapons configuration. The total cost of the loss of the 45 drones exceeds $1.3 billion, according to The Washington Post.

These drones were actively used for reconnaissance and precision strikes in the Strait of Hormuz. Their relatively low speed and low altitude made them vulnerable targets for the Iranian military and Tehran-backed groups in Yemen and Iraq.

Officials note that not all of the drones were shot down. Some of the drones crashed after a sudden loss of contact with them.

At the start of the major conflict, the US Army had approximately 185 Reaper drones in service: 165 in the Air Force and 20 in the Marine Corps. Marine Corps spokesman Lt. Col. Joshua Benson stated that his agency had not lost a single drone, as they are deployed primarily in the Asia-Pacific region.

Photo: The Daily Aviation/Youtube.