Friendly Fire Incident: Three F-15 Jets Downed in Kuwait During Combat Operations

In a recent incident over Kuwait, three American F-15 fighter jets were shot down due to friendly fire during active combat operations against Iran. The U.S. Central Command reported that the jets were mistakenly targeted by Kuwaiti air defenses amidst intense fighting involving Iranian forces. Fortunately, all crew members ejected safely and were rescued. This incident highlights the complexities of military operations in the region, especially following Iran's retaliatory actions against U.S. assets. The F-15E Strike Eagle, involved in the incident, is known for its high cost, with newer models nearing $100 million each.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 3, 2026, 00:19 IST

Incident Overview

In a tragic turn of events, three F-15 fighter jets belonging to the United States were downed over Kuwait, an occurrence that the US Central Command has labeled as a "friendly fire incident" amidst ongoing military operations against Iran. A statement issued on Monday revealed that the U.S. Air Force jets were inadvertently targeted by Kuwaiti air defense systems during a period of intense conflict, which involved assaults from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones. At the time of the incident, the jets were actively engaged in the U.S. campaign against Iran.

Fortunately, all six crew members from the downed aircraft successfully ejected and were later rescued in stable condition. Central Command expressed its appreciation to Kuwait for its involvement in the broader military efforts against Iran.

In response to the US-Israeli military actions that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran has been targeting American assets across the Persian Gulf. As a result of multiple attacks on U.S. bases and facilities in the region, Gulf nations have activated their air defense systems to thwart any future assaults.

Cost of an F-15 Fighter Jet

What is the price of an F-15 jet fighter?

The F-15E Strike Eagle model involved in this incident is known for its high cost. According to a fact sheet from the U.S. Air Force, the price of an F-15E was $31.1 million in 1998 constant dollars, indicating that the current adjusted price would be significantly higher. First introduced in the 1980s, the F-15E Strike Eagle is engineered for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. While the older Strike Eagle model reflects the 1998 valuation, newer iterations of the F-15 aircraft are priced at nearly $100 million each.