US equipment losses during the war with Iran could require up to $3.3 billion in replacement funding, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), with the Congressional Research Service (CRS) listing 81 aircraft reportedly lost or damaged.
The aircraft tally includes fighters, aerial refueling tankers, helicopters, and drones.
It draws on military statements, Pentagon inspector general findings, and media reports covering operations since February 28.
The largest category is the MQ-9 Reaper, with at least 45 drones reportedly lost during the campaign.
Other aircraft listed as lost or damaged include 12 F-15E Strike Eagles, one F-35A, two A-10 attack aircraft, and seven KC-135 aerial refueling tankers.
The F-15E total includes three jets destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait and another lost over Iran.
Eight others reportedly sustained light damage during an attack on Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base and subsequently returned to service.
Other aircraft were destroyed during rescue operations, including two MC-130J special operations aircraft and four AH-6 helicopters that US forces deliberately destroyed.
Additional Funding Request
US military spending on the war with Iran totaled an estimated $43.6 billion by September, according to figures US Central Command provided to Congress.
Continued operations could cost between $2 billion and $3 billion per month, depending on their intensity.
In June, the government requested $87.6 billion in supplemental funding for the Iran campaign and other purposes, including $67.1 billion for the Pentagon.
The defense request included $21 billion for munitions, $17.3 billion for operations, and $12.1 billion for classified programs.
It also sought $5.1 billion for cybersecurity and autonomous systems, $4 billion for airborne tracking of moving targets and a space data network, and $2.4 billion for drones.