New York, Sketsa.id – Three weeks into the war, Iran has struck 12 radar systems and satellite communication terminals belonging to the United States and its allies across the Middle East, with total damage estimated at more than $3 billion.

According to data compiled by Turkey’s Anadolu news agency, Iranian attacks targeted strategic installations in several countries, including Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. Kuwaiti authorities confirmed that the latest radar system at Kuwait International Airport was damaged by three drones on March 22. A day earlier, an Iranian drone struck the US Saab Giraffe 1X radar system at the US Embassy complex in Baghdad, a system valued at approximately $2 million that provides anti-missile, anti-artillery, anti-mortar, and anti-drone capabilities within a 75-kilometer radius.

Satellite imagery analyzed by various sources confirmed that four AN/TPY-2 radars, each valued at approximately $2 billion as part of the THAAD missile defense system, were hit at locations in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The AN/FPS-132 early warning radar system at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, valued at $1.1 billion, was also struck by an Iranian missile on February 28. Iranian forces also attacked the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama, Bahrain, destroying two satellite transmission and receiving stations along with several main buildings. The targeted AN/GSC-52B strategic satellite communication terminal is estimated to be worth $20 million. Satellite imagery analyzed by The New York Times from Camp Arifjan in Kuwait showed three radar domes destroyed, causing an estimated $30 million in losses.

In total, after three weeks of fighting, 12 radar systems and satellite communication terminals belonging to the US and its allies in the Middle East, with an estimated combined value of $3.152 billion, have been destroyed or damaged by Iranian strikes.

Meanwhile, the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran has not only depleted air defense missile stocks but also ground-attack cruise missiles. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in the first six days of the conflict alone, the US reportedly launched 786 JASSM missiles and 319 Tomahawk missiles. Before the war, the US had 3,500 JASSM missiles in its inventory, meaning 22.4 percent of that total was used in less than a week. 

No new JASSM missiles were ordered this year, leaving no way to replenish dwindling stocks. A similar situation exists with Tomahawk missiles. Of the 3,200 Tomahawks available, 319 were launched on the first day of the conflict. While the Pentagon has ordered more Tomahawks this year, production rates cannot keep pace with demand, which has reached approximately 190 missiles per day.

With President Donald Trump vowing to intensify strikes against Iran, experts believe the US will not be able to sustain the campaign for long at the current rate of consumption, especially while needing to retain a combat reserve for emergencies. (*)