Conflict with Iran: US loses military equipment valued at Rp33 trillion
Istanbul (ANTARA) - The United States has lost military equipment valued at nearly US$2 billion (about Rp33.7 trillion) amid its military operations against Iran since Saturday (28 Feb), according to estimates and data compiled by Anadolu.
In its publication on Wednesday (4 Mar), Anadolu noted that the main contributor to the high cost is the US early warning radar system AN/FPS-132 at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, valued at US$1.1 billion (about Rp18.6 trillion).
The system was struck by an Iranian missile on Saturday, with Qatar confirming that the radar was hit and damaged.
On Sunday (1 Mar), three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter aircraft were lost due to a friendly-fire incident caused by Kuwait’s air defence system.
Although all six crew members survived, the aircraft were destroyed. Replacement costs are estimated at US$282 million (Rp4.7 trillion).
Based on open-source intelligence reports, the targeted SATCOM terminal has been identified as AN/GSC-52B and is estimated to be worth about US$20 million (Rp337 billion), including placement and installation costs.
Iran also claims to have destroyed the AN/TPY-2 radar component of the THAAD (ABM) Ballistic Missile Defence System, deployed in Al-Ruwais Industrial City, United Arab Emirates.
Satellite imagery from open-source intelligence reports shows evidence of an attack. The value of the radar components destroyed is estimated at US$500 million (Rp8.4 trillion).
Together, Iran has damaged US military assets in the region worth around US$1.902 billion (Rp33 trillion).
The seven locations include the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, Camp Arifjan, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Camp Buehring in Kuwait, Erbil Base in Iraq, Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates (the largest stopover port for the US Navy in the Middle East), and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
In addition to military bases, US diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates have also been targeted.
The US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was subjected to two drone attacks. The Saudi Defence Ministry reported “limited fire and minor material damage” to the complex. According to The Washington Post, the CIA Station inside the complex was also affected.
Smoke was seen near the complex, while details of damage remain limited in public reporting. The embassy was subsequently closed “until further notice” and non-essential staff and their families have been evacuated.
The US Consulate General in Dubai, UAE, was struck by a drone believed to be owned by Iran, hitting the car park area near the consulate building. A fire occurred but was promptly extinguished by local authorities. The consulate area was affected, but no major structural damage was reported.
Source: Anadolu