An Iranian missile strike on a military base in Saudi Arabia has reportedly damaged multiple aircraft, including a high-value early warning aircraft, according to media reports and sources familiar with the matter.
The reported strike targeted Prince Sultan Air Base in recent days, where several military jets were said to have been hit during the attack.
According to a source cited in international media reports, an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft — valued at roughly $300 million — was among the assets damaged, with unverified images suggesting severe structural destruction.
The E-3 Sentry, a surveillance aircraft equipped with a rotating radar dome, is used to detect distant threats and coordinate aerial operations, providing a strategic advantage in combat situations.
Defence analysts said the loss of such a platform, if confirmed, would be significant.
“It’s a big deal,” said Peter Layton, a former Royal Australian Air Force officer, noting that large aircraft stationed on the ground remain vulnerable without constant air defence coverage.
The United States operates a fleet of more than 30 such aircraft, though each unit represents a major financial and operational investment.
There was no immediate official confirmation from US Central Command regarding the reported damage.
The development comes amid escalating regional hostilities, with Iran reportedly launching large numbers of ballistic missiles and drone-type weapons targeting military installations across the region.
Officials in Gulf countries have reported multiple missile barrages in recent days, including attacks involving dozens of ballistic missiles.
Military analysts say such strikes underscore the risks to fixed airbase infrastructure, particularly during sustained conflict.
The E-3 Sentry platform has been in service since the late 1970s and is based on a modified commercial airframe, designed for airborne surveillance and command operations.
While several aircraft of this type have been lost in accidents over decades of service, a combat loss — if confirmed — would mark a rare and significant development.
