Iran downed at least 11 US MQ-9 Reaper drones worth over $330mn

Iran has successfully neutralized 11 American MQ-9 Reaper drones during defensive operations against the US-Israeli aggression, inflicting losses estimated at more than $330 million on the aggressor’s unmanned aerial fleet, according to US military officials cited by CBS News.

The latest two Reapers were destroyed in recent days, bringing the total to 11 aircraft lost since the war on Iran began.

The MQ-9 Reaper, primarily designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and limited precision strikes in low-threat environments, proved highly vulnerable when confronted with Iran’s advanced and layered air defense systems.

Operating at a maximum speed of approximately 480 km/h, far slower than conventional fighter jets, the drones were unable to evade Iranian missile engagements in contested airspace.

The significant losses underscore the effectiveness of Iran’s indigenous air defense doctrine and the high operational risks faced by US surveillance and strike platforms in the current theatre.

The destruction of these high-value assets represents a substantial material and symbolic setback for the United States in its war on Iran.

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