US attacks on Iran: how much money was spent on high-tech bombs
The US’s attack on Iran’s nuclear sites involved billions for high-tech weapons and assets. From sending seven B2 stealth bombers to dropping 14 bunker-busting bombs, here’s the latest costings.
Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
When Donald Trump sent seven B2 stealth bombers from Missouri to the Middle East and back last weekend to drop 14 bunker-busting bombs on Iran, he was using more than $US46bn ($71bn) of military hardware – higher than the annual GDP of 110 countries.
And while the bombers and supporting aircraft returned to their bases, the hi-tech bombs they dropped and missiles fired burnt through up to $US140m ($216m).
Operation Midnight Hammer was not just a show of US military might – it was a display of financial force from a country whose annual defence budget is 2.5 times the size of China’s and more than four times the size of Russia’s.
The Lowy Institute says the US spent $US939bn on defence last year, China $US373bn, Russia $US225bn and Australia $US39.1bn.
Almost every other country spends less than 10 per cent of the US’s defence outlay, so it’s no wonder President Trump has been urging allies to beef up their budgets.
Trying to calculate what the US spent on Operation Midnight Hammer – and the aircraft costs involved – is tricky because weapons and equipment are constantly being built, upgraded and replaced, but there are enough solid estimates from military buffs and websites to paint a reasonably clear picture.
In the US, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, said more than 125 US aircraft participated in the mission and more than 75 precision-guided weapons were used.
The B2 stealth bombers were the big guns, with seven flying to Iran and two decoys in the Pacific, and these each cost $US2.1bn ($3.3bn). They each guzzle about $US13,000 an hour of fuel, or about $US500,000 for the mission.
Sixteen bunker buster bombs were dropped on Iran, and each of these costs up to $US5m.
-
COSTLY ATTACK
Equipment:
• B2 stealth bombers: $US2.1bn each, nine used
• Refuelling tankers: $US150m each, 24+ used
• Other aircraft: – F35 Lightnings, F-22 Raptors and earlier-generation aircraft (up to $US150m each) and surveillance planes ($US400m each), up to 90 used
• Submarine: $US4bn for newer models, one used
Weapons:
• GBU-57A “Bunker buster” bomb: up to $US5m each (14 used)
• Tomahawk cruise missiles: $US2.4m each (at least 24 used)
• ADM-160 MALD decoy missiles (more than $US320,000 each), number used unknown
• Defence suppression missiles: Up to $US200,000 each, number used unknown
Source: Military news and defence websites
-
US reports say “dozens” of aerial refuelling tankers were used to keep the B2s in the air. These each cost $US150m ($231m) each, so that adds at least $US3.6bn ($5.5bn) of machinery to the strike force.
Other aircraft used in the mission included fourth- and fifth-generation US fighter jets. Fifth-generation aircraft are the F-22 Raptors, costing up to $US150m each, and F-35 Lightings, costing up to $US110m each. Fourth-generation aircraft are older and cheaper and include F-14s, F-15s and F-16s.
Surveillance aircraft have historically cost $US300bn-$US400bn each, although new radar planes in development reportedly come with $US1bn-plus price tags.
As part of the attack, a US submarine launched more than 24 Tomahawk missiles at a site in Isfahan, Iran. Tomahawks each cost about $US2.4m ($3.7m), although two years ago Australia was approved to buy up to 220 of them for a total $US895m ($1.4bn), equating to more than $US4m per missile because associated support and equipment is required.
And a modern US submarine these days will set you back about $US4bn.
The eye-watering cost of the aircraft, bombs, missiles and other military hardware used by the US in Operation Midnight Hammer, and the apparent success of the mission, makes a few key points clear:
• No country looks likely to every come close to spending what the US does on its military, including China despite its much larger population.
• President Trump’s demands for countries to spend more on defence seems fair, as he is only asking for a higher proportion of GDP to be spent rather than raw dollar increases.
• Australia needs to work hard on its alliances, particularly with the US, and stick with the forces of strength and freedom.
More Coverage
Originally published as US attacks on Iran: how much money was spent on high-tech bombs
Tycoon Andrew Roberts to get out of construction with $20m hit
A famed name is heading out of the building industry after pledging $20m to pay staff and make them whole following the collapse of his building company, Roberts Co.
Penfolds won’t go on sale, CEO pledges as luxury growth slows
Treasury Wine says its rock star wine label Penfolds will have a marked slowdown in earnings. But don’t expect to see the iconic red caps in the bargain bin.