File image.
Multiple advanced warplanes of the United States and its allies were destroyed in recent Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, satellite images released by Persian media and others obtained from the European Sentinel-2 satellite indicate.
Since the start of the ongoing American-Israeli war, the Islamic Republic has been launching strikes with missiles and drones against Israel and facilities housing or supporting U.S. forces in neighboring countries.
Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE was hit more than once, but recent strikes were especially devastating, according to the satellite images, which were released on March 12.
The air base is located around 32 kilometers to the south of the Emirate capital, Abu Dhabi. It is considered critical for the operations of the U.S. military in the Middle East. The base hosts advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft.
The latest images revealed that three large hangars, where the UAE Air Force keeps at least three of its five GlobalEye multi-role airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, and one C-235 military transport plane, were all hit. While large burn marks appeared on the hangers, the C-235 was apparently hit outside.
The GlobalEye AEW&C is equipped with a suite of sensors using Saab’s Erieye ER radar and mission system, installed in the Bombardier Global 6000/6500 long-range business jet. The UAE bought its five aircraft from Sweden for little over $2,4 billion just a few years ago, which means a single one costs just little under $500 million. There is a good chance three were destroyed.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
Click to see full-size image. (X)
In another part of Al Dhafra, two other large hangars used by the U.S. Navy to store MQ-4C Triton high-altitude long endurance drones was also hit.
The MQ-4C was developed to provide real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions over vast ocean and coastal regions, continuous maritime surveillance, and to conduct search and rescue missions. A single drone of this type could cost upwards of $180 million.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
Click to see full-size image. (X)
The images also show a massive crater, possibly caused by a ballistic missile, in an area where several small barracks were located at the air base.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
In Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, a number of additional hits were also spotted in two of the newly released satellite images.
Ali Al Salem is considered one of the key airlift and logistics gateways for the U.S. military in the Middle East, hosting the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. The air base is located in central Kuwait, roughly 15 kilometers west of the city of Al Jahra and approximately 37 kilometers from the border with Iraq.
One of the images shows damage at three hangars where the U.S. military stored MQ-9 Reaper medium-altitude long-endurance drones. The MQ-9, which costs upwards of $30 million, is primarily used to collect intelligence, but has the ability to conduct pinpoint strikes.
A fourth hangar nearby was also hit, and in front of it a fighter jet, identified as a Typhoon fighter jet of the Royal Air Force, can be seen in the same image. The image shows what appears to be an oil or fuel spill near the jet, which indicates that it was at least damaged in the attack.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
Click to see full-size image. (X)
The second image revealed that a large hangar in Ali Al Salem, where U.S. military C-12 and UC-35 transport aircraft are usually deployed was wiped out.
Click to see full-size image. (X)
Click to see full-size image. (X)
The latest wave of Iranian retaliatory strikes have clearly inflicted some heavy losses on the U.S. and its allies. It will likely take days, or even weeks for the full scale of destruction at Dhafra Air Base and Ali Al Salem Air Base to be revealed to the public.
What is important to note that these losses are not just costing the U.S. money, but also degrading the capabilities currently available to its military in the Middle East.
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ó trump, já foste.
iran will survive, the thing is trump played and poisoned himself into attacking iran because of the tremendous pressure from neocons and israel lobby. i’m not a prophet nor a magician or something like that, but i can assure the curse over attacking iranian nation will curse the trump family for generations, if the trump direct lineage survives two generations will be a miracle. trump will be the new kennedy family in us empire. wait and you will see this happening.
i love waking up each morning and reading the morning news about what iran has destroyed.
war is always terrible, but becomes somewhat satisfying when you know who the victim and who the agressor is, and you see the victim is defending themselves well.
iran, the civilized and awake part of the world is with you.
beautiful work iran, go for awac aircraft, they are rare, expensive and very difficult to produce especially requiring rare earth metals which china now blocks