Kolkata: Every war comes with a cost and the longer it drags on, the most expensive it becomes. The meter for the US has started ticking and ticking quite fast. begins to tick—the cost meter. And this meter can reach not just millions, but hundreds of millions of dollars every day. According to estimates by defense analysts and international media reports, the US has run up an expenditure of $500-800 million (Rs 4,500-7,200 crore) in the first 24 hours of the conflict with Ian. This amount represents the cost of the missiles fired as well as the cost of maintaining the entire military system. A single Tomahawk cruise missile is estimated to cost approximately $1.5-2 million (Rs 13.5-18 crore).
Cost of missiles alone
If dozens of missiles are fired, this alone could cost hundreds of millions of dollars, reports suggested. Interceptors used to deter retaliatory attacks are also very expensive. For example, an SM-3 missile can cost $12-15 million, which translates to Rs 108-135 crore each. A Patriot interceptor can cost about Rs 40 lakh each. But the missiles are just a part, though perhaps the most conspicuous part, of the conflict so far.
Fighter aircraft have been deployed too. Just the operating cost of an F-35 fighter jet is about Rs 32.4 lakh. A B-2 stealth bomber costs about Rs 1.17 crore per hour of flight. Long-range bombing, aerial refueling, drone surveillance, and intelligence missions all lead to a quick ramping up of the expenditure.
Daily cash burn
If one or two aircraft carrier strike groups are deployed at full capacity, the daily operating cost of just one carrier group can range from Rs 54-72 crore. This involves over 5,000 military personnel, ships, escort destroyers, submarines, and missile defense systems. When combined with constant sorties, interceptor launches, and high alert at regional bases, the estimated daily cost could reach $200-300 million or even more. If missles are fired, the costs go up.
Cost of the war dragging on
With time, the cost of war often becomes unbearable. And though a conflict could appear to be a swift strike which will be over quickly, can drag on endlessely, bleeding even the most sturdy economy. Here is a rough estimate:
One month: Rs 54,000-1.35 lakh crore
Three months: Rs 1.8-4.05 lakh crore
Six months: Rs 4.5-8.1 lakh crore
If the conflict drags on for a year, the cost could easily surpass $200 billion or Rs 18 lakh crore according to current exchange rates.
In perspective the cost of the war against Iraq was about $2 trillion or Rs 180 lakh crore. The war against Afghanistan added up to more than $2 trillion. The total cost of all wars since 9/11, including long-term liabilities, is estimated to be around $8 trillion or Rs 720 lakh crore.
US defence budget
The US defense budget for 2026 is about $900 billion, or Rs 81 lakh crore. Now consider the US national debt which is more than $35 trillion and the deficit is $1.5–2 trillion. The burden of interest payments is huge and almost the size of the defense budget. This means that a prolonged and extensive conflict could rapidly raise financial stress.
The real danger is that of expensive oil. About 20% of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz. If this route is blocked and crude oil prices reach $120–150 per barrel levels, the global economy could suffer shocks. A surge in oil prices could push up US inflation by 1–2 percentage points, which can precipitate risks of recession.
Also it must be noted that the above cost does not include any damage that would be caused to US property, military hardware and obviously lives.