Iran releases video claiming US A-10 Warthog shot down near Strait of Hormuz

As the US-Israel-Iran conflict enters its 36th day, Iranian state media has claimed that the country’s air defence systems shot down a US A-10 Warthog aircraft and released a purported video of the incident.

According to Iranian media reports, the aircraft was targeted over waters near the Strait of Hormuz and subsequently crashed into the Persian Gulf.

Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed that additional US warplanes, including an F-35 stealth fighter jet, were also targeted during ongoing hostilities.


Iranian outlets have circulated footage they claim shows the moment the A-10 was struck. However, the authenticity of the video and the claims have not been independently verified.


There has been no official confirmation from the US regarding the reported incident.

What is the A-10 Warthog and how much does it cost

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, commonly known as the A-10 Warthog, is a ground-attack aircraft developed by the United States Air Force for close air support missions. It is designed to support troops on the ground by targeting tanks, armoured vehicles and other threats, and is known for its durability, ability to fly at low altitudes and its powerful GAU-8 Avenger cannon.

The aircraft is considered highly cost-effective due to its simple and rugged design. It uses twin TF34 engines that are relatively inexpensive to maintain, while its strong structure reduces maintenance needs. Many A-10s have remained in service for over 40 years, helping spread costs over a long period.

The A-10 costs about $18.8 million per aircraft in today’s terms, adjusted for inflation from its original flyaway cost of around $9.8 million in the 1970s. The total programme cost per aircraft was about $13 million in 1994 dollars, with 716 units built between 1972 and 1984.

Operating costs are also relatively low, with the aircraft costing around $6,000 per flight hour and total expenses reaching approximately $17,716 per flight hour. The annual operating cost per aircraft is estimated at about $4.5 million.