Report: 25% of US Reaper drone fleet lost in war with Iran

The U.S. Military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during conflict with Iran, representing roughly a quarter of its fleet and potentially costing more than $1.3 billion, according to a Washington Post report citing three U.S. Officials with access to Pentagon data.

The losses reflect mounting strain on American weapons inventories following months of intensive combat operations and prolonged military assistance to Ukraine.

The U.S. Military operated approximately 185 Reapers before the conflict began, comprising 165 Air Force aircraft and 20 Marine Corps aircraft, according to public budget figures. None of the Marine Corps Reapers, primarily deployed in the Asia-Pacific region, have been lost, a spokesman said.

The MQ-9 conducts surveillance and precision strikes, with costs ranging from $30 million to $50 million depending on equipment configuration. The drones have been deployed extensively near the Strait of Hormuz, a major conflict flashpoint. Their relatively slow speed and low-altitude operating profile have made them vulnerable to Iranian forces and Tehran-backed groups in Yemen and Iraq.

Not all losses resulted from combat. An additional U.S. Official told the Post that an unspecified number of aircraft crashed after operators lost communications links.

Pentagon concern over the losses had mounted by May, when Lt. Gen. David Tabor told senators the remaining fleet had declined to approximately 135 aircraft. He stated he was "concerned" About the attrition rate. The Air Force began examining methods to replenish the fleet more rapidly.

The Reaper losses coincide with pressure on other major weapons systems. During the Iran war's first month, U.S. Forces fired more than 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles and more than 1,000 Patriot and THAAD air-defense interceptors, the Post previously reported.

The Pentagon requested tens of billions of dollars from Congress to cover war costs and rebuild inventories, with the administration seeking a $67 billion supplemental package. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth estimated the conflict would cost $37.5 billion through September, excluding damage repair at U.S. Bases hit by Iranian strikes.

Replacing depleted weapons could require years. An American Enterprise Institute analysis found Pentagon production goals for THAAD interceptors far exceed manufacturing capacity. At maximum current output of 96 annually, meeting planned purchases would take decades.

The Pentagon is phasing out the Reaper and plans to replace it with cheaper armed surveillance drones designed for larger-scale deployment.