The U.S. military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the war with Iran, roughly 25% of its prewar fleet, according to three U.S. officials cited by The Washington Post. The losses alone represent more than $1.3 billion in taxpayer-funded aircraft, with each Reaper costing between $30 million and $50 million depending on its equipment.

The drones have been heavily used around the Strait of Hormuz for surveillance and targeted strikes, but their slow speeds and low-altitude operations have made them vulnerable to Iran and its proxies in Yemen and Iraq. One U.S. official said not all of the lost Reapers were shot down, noting that some crashed after operators lost communications links.

Before the war, the military had approximately 185 Reapers — 165 in the Air Force and 20 in the Marine Corps — excluding drones operated by U.S. intelligence agencies. By May, Lt. Gen. David Tabor told the Senate that the number remaining had fallen to about 135 and said the Air Force was examining how to quickly rebuild the fleet.

The losses come amid broader concerns over U.S. weapons stockpiles following years of military support for Ukraine and heavy expenditure during the Iran war. An American Enterprise Institute analysis found that replacing some critical munitions could take years. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency currently has a maximum production capacity of 96 THAAD interceptors annually, while the Pentagon is seeking 857 next year and nearly 2,600 over five years. At current production levels, fulfilling that request would take approximately 27 years.

A single THAAD interceptor takes nearly three years to manufacture, according to AEI senior fellow Todd Harrison. “Even if you ordered them today, delivery wouldn’t be until President Trump leaves office,” Harrison said. The Pentagon has rejected claims that its weapons stockpiles are running low, while the Trump administration has requested tens of billions of dollars to replenish supplies.

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