AhlulBayt News Agency: On April 22, Yemen's Armed Forces announced they had successfully shot down another MQ-9 drone, a renowned American Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, in the skies of Yemen.
The MQ-9 Reaper, regarded as one of the most advanced American operational drones, has been in use by the U.S. military since 2007. It is a key asset in American military surveillance over the Red Sea and Yemeni territories. According to Pars Today, the MQ-9 Reaper is manufactured by General Atomics Corporation and costs approximately $32 million. However, when sold to foreign customers, its price increases to $100 million, including training and logistical support expenses.
This drone can carry up to one ton of various munitions, including missiles, bombs, and guided rockets, and it is also deployed for reconnaissance operations.
Images from incidents involving downed American and Saudi drones reveal that Yemen's Armed Forces have made significant advancements in air defense capabilities. Even the increased flight altitude of these drones has not shielded them from Yemen's upgraded missile defense systems.
Since the beginning of Yemen’s “Promised Victory and Sacred Jihad” campaign, launched in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people, 22 advanced MQ-9 drones have been downed by Yemeni defense systems. When combined with earlier incidents since the start of the Yemeni war, the total number of downed MQ-9 drones reaches 26, resulting in financial losses exceeding $800 million for the U.S. military.
These losses are expected to rise if the U.S. continues its military operations on Yemeni soil.
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