An American Boeing E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft appears to have been heavily damaged in an Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Photos shared online and by Iranian state broadcaster IRIB were later verified by BBC and AFP, according to their reports on March 29. The images suggest the aircraft may have broken apart after the attack. Reports Dw.com.
If confirmed, the loss would be a major setback for US military operations in the Middle East. The E-3 Sentry is a high-value airborne warning and command aircraft used to track planes, missiles and drones over long distances and help direct air operations. Experts say a modern aircraft of this type can be worth at least $400 million to $500 million. No E-3 Sentry had previously been reported lost in combat.
The combined missile and drone attack on the base near Al Kharj took place on March 28. Reports said 12 US service members were wounded, including two seriously, and at least two Boeing KC-135 refueling aircraft also suffered significant damage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with NBC on March 28 that Russia had provided Iran with satellite imagery used for the strike, though this claim has not been independently confirmed in the source material.
The attack comes amid a wider regional conflict. Since February 28, the United States and Israel have carried out airstrikes on Iran, while Tehran has responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and US-linked targets in Gulf countries.
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