At least 81 US aircraft lost or damaged

At least 81 US fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were damaged or lost in military operations against Iran, according to a recent report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS).

In the report updated in October, it was stated that this number may increase with new updates.

The report, which compiled the losses incurred since February 28, when the USA launched the attack on Iran, included information that the aircraft in question were worth 3 billion 300 million dollars.

CRS's report also stated that the biggest loss was in MQ-9 Reaper UAVs and at least 45 of them were lost in the attacks on Iran.

It was emphasized in the report that 12 F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft were also included in the loss list, and 3 of them were destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwaiti airspace in March.

Other losses or damage included one F-35A Lightning II, two A-10 Thunderbolt II, seven KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft, and one E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft.

These data bring together operational events compiled from Pentagon records, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) statements, military inspector general findings, and press reports since February 28.

While the report draws attention to potential pressures on the US defense industry base, it also includes warnings about whether the Pentagon can quickly replace the lost aircraft.

*Photo: AP, representative