US Operation Epic Fury Costs $5.82 Billion in First 100 Hours
ISTANBUL — The first 100 hours of the US military campaign known as “Operation Epic Fury” have cost approximately $5.82 billion, according to data compiled by the Anadolu Agency. The amount represents about 0.69% of the total 2026 US defense budget.
Initial figures show that the United States spent roughly $779 million during the first 24 hours of the operation. As the campaign intensified, operational costs rose quickly. Overall spending on military operations has now reached around $3.3 billion, a figure that closely aligns with estimates from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
In addition to operational expenses, the US has suffered substantial equipment losses following Iran’s retaliatory attacks, bringing total asset losses to approximately $2.52 billion.
Major US Military Asset Losses
The most significant loss involves a US AN/FPS-132 early warning radar system located at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. An Iranian missile struck the facility on Saturday, damaging the radar system valued at about $1.1 billion. Qatari officials confirmed the impact.
Meanwhile, a separate incident occurred on Sunday when three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were destroyed in a friendly fire event involving Kuwaiti air defenses. Although all six crew members survived, the aircraft were lost. Replacing the jets could cost approximately $282 million.
US officials also confirmed to CBS News that three MQ-9 Reaper surveillance and attack drones have been shot down since the start of the conflict. These drones carry an estimated value of $90 million.
Damage to Communication and Radar Systems
Iran’s initial attack on Saturday also targeted the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. The strike destroyed two satellite communication terminals and damaged several nearby structures.
Open-source intelligence analysts later identified the destroyed terminals as AN/GSC-52B SATCOM systems, which cost about $20 million when deployment and installation expenses are included.
Furthermore, satellite imagery reviewed by The New York Times revealed that three additional radomes were destroyed at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, causing an estimated $30 million in damages.
THAAD Radar Systems Targeted
Reports also indicate damage to key components of the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system deployed in the region. One AN/TPY-2 radar component at Al-Ruwais Industrial City in the United Arab Emirates was reportedly destroyed earlier in the conflict.
Additionally, analysts believe another AN/TPY-2 radar system at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan has been destroyed. Each radar system carries an estimated value of around $500 million.
Some reports also suggest that another radar installation in the UAE may have been hit. However, officials have not yet confirmed this claim, and satellite imagery has not verified the damage.
Total Estimated Losses
Overall, Iran’s retaliatory strikes have damaged approximately $2.52 billion worth of US military assets across the Middle East, according to estimates compiled from open-source intelligence and official statements.