The U.S. military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs in its conflict with Iran, according to informed sources cited by the Washington Post on August 13. This accounts for approximately 25% of the Reaper fleet in service and represents a financial loss exceeding 1.3 billion USD.

An unnamed official clarified that not all lost Reaper UAVs were shot down by Iran; some crashed after losing connection with their operators.

The Reaper, nicknamed "God of Death" in Vietnamese, is primarily used for surveillance and precision strike missions, according to the U.S. Air Force. Each unit costs between 30-50 million USD, depending on the sensors and weaponry equipped. These UAVs have been heavily deployed by the U.S. military in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane that has become a flashpoint in the U.S.-Iran conflict.

While equipped with modern sensors for reconnaissance, the Reaper UAV can also carry weapons such as laser-guided GBU-12 bombs, AGM-114 hellfire II air-to-ground missiles, AIM-9 sidewinder air-to-air missiles, and GBU-38 JDAM smart bombs for target elimination.

However, due to their slow speed and tendency to operate at low altitudes, these UAVs are vulnerable targets for Iranian forces and Tehran-backed militias in Yemen and Iraq.

Iran shot down an aircraft believed to be a U.S. UAV in a video released on June 1. Video: Tasnim

The loss of Reaper UAVs is the latest in a growing list of U.S. weapon and ammunition depletion, resulting from the conflict with Iran and years of military aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Public budget data and information from military branches indicate that before the conflict, the U.S. military possessed approximately 185 Reaper UAVs, including 165 operated by the Air Force and 20 by the U.S. Marine Corps. This figure does not include Reaper UAVs operated by U.S. intelligence agencies.

Two Reapers deployed by the U.S. at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, in 2020. Photo: USAF

Two Reapers deployed by the U.S. at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, in 2020. Photo: USAF

Joshua Benson, a spokesperson for the U.S. Marine Corps, stated that the force has not lost any Reaper UAVs to date. The Marine Corps primarily operates its Reaper UAVs in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Pentagon declined to comment on the matter and has consistently denied reports of dwindling weapon stockpiles. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump's administration is requesting tens of billions of USD from Congress to cover costs incurred from the conflict with Iran and to replenish weapon reserves.

Ngoc Anh (According to Washington Post, AP)