Aviation News – The US Air Force is seeking additional funding from Congress after losing dozens of aircraft in the Iran war, warning that even the $1.5 trillion defense budget cannot cover replacement costs.
Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach told lawmakers during a House appropriations subcommittee hearing that the record-breaking budget is already committed to modernizing the fleet, including new fighters, bombers, and tankers. The unexpected scale of aircraft losses in the Iran conflict has forced the service to request supplemental funding beyond the existing budget framework, highlighting the financial strain of sustained high-intensity operations.
The losses include both damaged and destroyed aircraft, significantly impacting operational readiness and long-term force planning. Replacing these assets requires not only procurement funding but also time for production and integration. The situation underscores the vulnerability of even advanced air forces in contested environments and the growing cost of maintaining air superiority.
“This budget was designed to build the future force, not to fully absorb the scale of combat losses we’ve seen,” Wilsbach said, emphasizing the urgency of congressional support to restore fleet capacity and maintain mission readiness.
Looking ahead, the Air Force is expected to push for increased supplemental appropriations while reassessing procurement priorities and force structure. The situation may also accelerate investments in next-generation systems and resilience strategies to mitigate future losses.