Report: Israeli and U.S. UAV Fleets Face Attrition Amid Deep Strikes in Iran
Combined operations by the Israeli Air Force and the U.S. military have led to the destruction of air defense infrastructure in Iran, but alongside these operational successes, significant losses of unmanned aerial vehicles have also been recorded
The Hermes 900. Photo: Elbit Systems
The combined military campaign by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory, which began in late February under the code names Roaring Lion (Israel) and Epic Fury (US), is focused on neutralizing Iran’s air defense networks and command infrastructure.
The operation makes extensive use of long-range precision munitions, unmanned systems, and fighter aircraft in order to secure air superiority and reduce the threat to aircraft operating in the area. Although the forces have achieved broad air control across several operational sectors, data emerging from the battlefield indicates that Iranian air defense arrays have not been completely destroyed and continue to pose a challenge to operating forces.
Assessment of the fighting is based on analysis of open sources and battlefield monitoring. According to reporting by Defense Blog, which relies on open sources, satellite imagery, and visual documentation from the field, evidence confirms that as of the second week of March eight Israeli unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed.
Israeli losses include three IAI Eitan (Heron TP) UAVs, four Elbit Hermes 900 systems produced by Elbit Systems, and an additional system whose type has not yet been identified. These platforms form the backbone of Israel’s long-range intelligence collection and strike capabilities, and their loss suggests a certain degree of resilience among Iranian missile batteries.
At the same time, U.S. forces have also sustained equipment losses during the ongoing operation. Open-source intelligence assessments indicate that three General Atomics MQ‑9 Reaper UAVs—used for intelligence gathering and precision strike missions at medium altitude—have been shot down.
Another unusual incident recorded during the campaign was the loss of three F‑15E Strike Eagle fighter jets operated by the United States Air Force. However, it is important to note that these aircraft were not downed by Iranian fire. Instead, they were lost in a friendly-fire incident over Kuwait, while engaged in intercepting swarms of Iranian drones attacking regional bases.
Security experts emphasize that the operational picture remains complex and does not indicate the complete neutralization of the adversary. Professional analyses of the battlefield suggest that full air dominance has not yet been achieved over all of Iranian territory, and that parts of the integrated air defense network—including layered radar systems and command centers—remain active.
The allies’ operational model therefore continues to rely on sustained pressure through UAVs and long-range strike capabilities, reflecting the understanding that defeating modern air defense systems requires prolonged attrition of missile batteries as well as command-and-control infrastructure.