The Italian Air Force lost an MQ-9A Reaper drone during an Iranian attack on Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on March 15.
According to the newspaper Corriere della Sera, the Italian government decided to keep the aircraft at the base despite the escalation of the conflict, avoiding any movement that could be interpreted as Rome’s participation in the war against Iran. The equipment, valued at around US$38.76 million, was ultimately destroyed inside its protective shelter.
The MQ-9A was part of Task Group Araba Fenice, responsible for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions under the Italian operation Prima Parthica, integrated into the international campaign against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. Before the attack, Italy’s Ministry of Defence had discussed alternatives to protect its aircraft, including a possible transfer to another base, but chose to keep them on the ground to preserve the country’s neutrality in the conflict.
After the attack, the Defence Staff reported that no Italian military personnel were injured and noted that the contingent in Kuwait had already been preventively reduced due to rising tensions in the region. Authorities also stated that the MQ-9A was an essential asset for the mission’s operations and remained at the base to ensure the continuity of activities.
The report also mentions doubts about possible damage suffered by Italian Eurofighter jets stationed in Kuwait. Although open-source intelligence reports indicated that up to two aircraft may have been hit by shrapnel, no official confirmation has been released. So far, the MQ-9A remains the only Italian aircraft whose destruction has been officially acknowledged as a consequence of the Iranian attacks.
Source: The Aviationist | Photos: Aeronautica Militare – X @ItalianAirForce | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
