President Ram Nath Kovind reviews the Indian naval fleet at Visakhapatnam

The ongoing Middle East conflict is now taking a serious toll on U.S. air power. Reports indicate that at least 16 American military aircraft have been lost since the war with Iran began, including multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones shot down by Iranian defenses. But not all losses came from combat. Friendly fire incidents and high-risk operations have also led to major setbacks, including the destruction of F-15 fighter jets and a deadly KC-135 tanker accident that claimed six lives. Despite early strikes targeting Iran’s air defenses, the U.S. has struggled to achieve full air superiority, with even advanced platforms like the F-35 facing threats. Watch