Washington: Iran has claimed to have shot down two more U.S. military MQ-9 Reaper drones. With this latest incident, the total number of U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones destroyed during Operation “Epic Fury” has reached 11. U.S. officials have confirmed the loss of the drones, although no detailed information regarding the causes of their crashes has been provided.
According to reports, the total estimated cost of the drones destroyed so far exceeds $330 million. The MQ-9 Reaper is one of America’s advanced unmanned combat drones, utilized for surveillance, intelligence gathering, and precision strikes.
Experts suggest that these drones were designed for regions with relatively limited air defense capabilities, whereas their effectiveness against nations possessing modern air defense systems may be limited. Furthermore, their speed is significantly lower compared to manned combat aircraft, potentially making them easier targets to strike.
These developments could also have implications for India. In October 2024, India entered into an agreement with the United States to procure 31 MQ-9B drones under a deal valued at approximately $4 billion (roughly ₹32,000 crore). Under this agreement, the Indian Navy is slated to receive 15 drones, while the Air Force and the Army are each set to receive eight drones.
These drones possess the capability to remain airborne for over 40 hours and conduct long-range surveillance, which will aid in bolstering security along India’s borders with China and Pakistan. Additionally, a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility is also scheduled to be established within India as part of this initiative.