More than a dozen Israeli Air Force drones have been shot down over Iran amid the current war, according to military officials.
An exact number is not given, but the officials say fewer than 20 unmanned aerial vehicles have been lost.
The military says its policy during the war is that loss of unmanned aircraft is acceptable for the purpose of thwarting ballistic missile attacks on Israel’s home front.
For that reason, the IAF has been sending cheaper UAVs for riskier strike missions in Iran, knowing that they are likely to be shot down. In at least one case, one of these cheaper drones actually made it back to Israel, according to military officials.
No Israeli fighter jets have been shot down, though pilots have come under anti-aircraft missile fire numerous times. In one case, the military said a fighter pilot was “close to being hit.”
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From the Liveblog of
Friday, March 20, 2026
