81 US military aircraft damaged or destroyed in Iran war

A total of 81 US military aircraft have been damaged or destroyed since the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on February 28, according to a report released by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) on Monday.

The damaged or destroyed aircraft include 12 F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, two A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft, seven KC-135 tankers, one E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft, one MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone and 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones, among others, the report said.

The figures were compiled from news reports, the Department of Defense, US Central Command and the DoD inspector general, according to the report.

Congress is considering whether to approve funding requests to repair or replace the damaged aircraft.

It will also use the losses to assess the threats posed by the war environment and enemy firepower, as well as whether adjustments are needed to US equipment, tactics or base deployment posture, the report said.

A report released by the Pentagon's oversight body on September 14 showed that the Iran war had caused significant losses to US military bases and diplomatic facilities in the Middle East, with at least hundreds of buildings and other facilities damaged and more than 50 US aircraft damaged or destroyed.

It was the Pentagon's first official accounting of US equipment and facility losses during the war, covering the period from February 28, when the US and Israel launched large-scale military operations against Iran, to June 30.

Separately, the Congressional Budget Office estimated in a report that the Department of Defense had spent about $38 billion on the Iran war over the five months ending August 1.