Iran claimed its air defenses destroyed a US MQ-1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, saying the aircraft was detected and tracked before being struck by a newly developed air defense system.
The system operates under Iran’s integrated air defense network. The US has not immediately confirmed the incident.
https://twitter.com/IranIntl_En/status/2097350863605965283
The incident adds to a series of reported encounters involving US unmanned aircraft around the strategic waterway. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said last week that an MQ-9 Reaper had been destroyed east of the Strait of Hormuz by another advanced air defense system.
The US has reportedly lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reapers during the conflict, or about a quarter of its fleet. With each aircraft costing an estimated $30 million to $50 million depending on its sensors and weapons, the reported losses could represent more than $1.3 billion in equipment.
