IRGC Claims Downing of another US MQ-9 Drone Over Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says its air defense forces have shot down a US MQ-9 long-range unmanned aerial vehicle over the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement on Monday, the IRGC said its modern air defense units used missiles to hit the drone. It said the aircraft crashed into the waters of the Persian Gulf.

“A few minutes ago, an American MQ-9 long-range unmanned aerial vehicle was struck by missile fire from the ever-vigilant combatants of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ modern air defense units over the Strait of Hormuz and crashed into the blue waters of the Persian Gulf,” the IRGC said.

The force added that “The continued presence in the field of the history-making Iranian nation is the greatest support for the Islamic Republic’s combatants.”

The MQ-9 Reaper has been described by the US Air Force as the “most valuable player” in its campaign against Iran. According to Bloomberg, Iran has destroyed more than two dozen MQ-9 drones since the start of the conflict, which represents nearly 20 percent of the Pentagon’s pre-war inventory.

Each MQ-9 is valued at around $30 million, putting the reported total losses at about $1 billion.

Bloomberg and The War Zone, citing congressional testimony, reported that the US Air Force’s operational Reaper fleet has fallen to around 135 aircraft, below its minimum target of 189.

General Atomics, the manufacturer of the drone, has also confirmed that fewer than 10 new airframes are available for purchase and that production of the MQ-9A has been shut down.