$700 million US E3 aircraft destroyed by $20,000 Shahed 136 drone: IRGC 

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has announced that a $20,000 Shahed-136 drone was behind the attack that damaged a $700 million Boeing E3 Sentry surveillance aircraft in a US-run military base in Saudi Arabia. 

In a statement, the IRGC public relations department said that the E3 aircraft, known as Airborne Early Warning and Central System (AWACS), was attempting to evade incoming Iranian airstrikes when it was “hunted” by a Shahed 136 drone.

The American surveillance aircraft was destroyed during a combined missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arbia on Friday, which also left at least 10 US troops wounded.

Footage of the aircraft’s wreckage showed that the E3 Sentry was struck in its most sensitive section near its tail, where the expensive AN/APY2 reconnaissance radar is fitted.

Nearby planes also suffered significant damage during the attack, the IRGC said earlier.

The aircraft had been deployed at the Prince Sultan base from Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City.

Iranian air defenses have intercepted and destroyed at least 140 Israeli and American drones and several fighter jets over Iranian skies and elsewhere in the region since the imposed war began on February 28.

The IRGC has launched 86 waves of retaliatory strikes against US and Israeli assets in the region as part of Operation True Promise 4.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir