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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
B-2 Stealth Bomber and F-22 jets welcomed Putin to Alaska: Here's how much they cost
As Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Anchorage, Alaska, for his meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday, the US military showcased a display of what appeared to be B-2 Stealth Bombers and F-22 Raptor jets overhead at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. A B-2 bomber (C) and four F-35 fighter jets fly overhead as US President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin (AFP) Putin and Trump, meanwhile, shook hands after walking on the red carpet laid down in front of their respective jets. The two leaders then got into a limousine for their meeting. The summit is underway at the time of writing this story. While videos of the B-2 Bombers and F-22 Raptor jets surfaced on social media, several users wondered how much they cost. Read More: Putin's bizarre reaction to 'when will you stop killing' question before Trump meeting - Watch How much do B-2 Bombers and F-22 Raptor jets cost? The B-2 Spirit carries a per-unit cost exceeding $2 billion, reflecting its advanced radar-evading design and $44 billion total program expense for 21 units. 'Each aircraft cost more than $2 billion, when including adjustments to the bombers in 1997. In addition, it is estimated that each bomber costs some $40 million annually to maintain,' Britannica Encyclopedia Online writes, citing reports. Last year, the Governmental Accountability Office (GAO) reported, the total F-22 program cost more than $67 billion, which means the cost per plane is around $350 million. Trump-Putin meeting The two leaders began talks at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a US military facility. Trump greeted Putin with a handshake and a pat on the arm, later walking alongside him as they watched a ceremonial flyover. Inside the meeting room, Trump was flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, while Putin was joined by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. 'I've got to let Ukraine make that decision,' Trump said, referring to potential land swaps, ahead of the meeting. 'I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I'm here to get them to the table.'
News18
17-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Israel-Iran War: Targeting & Taming The Octopus
Last Updated: India enjoys good relations with both Iran and Israel and is not in a position to pick sides Israel and Iran war has moved into the second week with large exchange of aerial and ballistic missiles and with very little respite. In a much-anticipated preemptive air strike with 200 jet aircraft, Israel struck more than 100 targets in Iran last week targeting nuclear assets and the command structure of Iran. The Mossad had infiltrated and neutralised anti-aircraft assets of Iran by firing huge numbers of drones from within Iran. It may be recalled that Iran has a minority population of 10,000 Jews down from 1,00,000 before the Iranian revolution. Four Generals of top military command and ten scientists working on the nuclear installations were eliminated in the first offensive. Ten cities have been targeted and nuclear assets have been degraded up to some extent. In the second week, the United States of America (USA) has joined Israel in targeting and degrading the underground nuclear assets of Iran where the Israelis did not have the penetrating power. Operation Midnight Hammer was a lightning campaign in which B-2 Stealth Bombers attacked Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan and caused appreciable destruction to the underground assets. The stated strategic aim of Israel to carry out the preemptive strike was to neutralise the nuclear and ballistic assets and affect a regime change in Iran after a popular uprising among the people against the Mullahs. They also targeted and successfully eliminated the higher civil and military leadership with the aim of creating a psychological paralysis in the nerve centre of the besieged nation. The US, Israel and Iran may be in for a long haul, taking a cue from the Russian-Ukrainian war and the war in Gaza. In effect, Israel has helped the Iranian regime in rallying masses to show their commitment to their nation and for the timebeing all opposition to the Islamic regime has been put on the back burner. President Donald Trump has yet again proved to be a transactional leader. He lulled the Iranians into having fifth round of talks on Iranian nuclear programme and was fully in picture when the Israelis attacked just before the talks. While declaring that he will take up to two weeks to decide whether to attack Iran or not, he had already passed orders for deploying the forces. After the midnight attacks on Iran's underground nuclear assets which US claims to be a great success, he is again talking about peace and exhorting Iran to come to negotiation table! The peace seeking or the Nobel Prize-seeking President has come out in the open and attacked Iran which no other POTUS dared to do. Is North Korea listening and taking note? This brazen attack on the sovereignty and security of a distant nation by Israel and USA may also act as a carte blanche for China to move into Taiwan or Arunachal Pradesh. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khameini vowed punishment to the aggressor and launched hundreds of ballistic missiles onto the Israeli cities targeting Israel's cybersecurity centers and nuclear facilities mainly in the southern part of the country. For once, the volume of Iranian attack overwhelmed the Iron Dome and rendered it ineffective to a certain extent. Iran also claims to have eliminated the head of Mossad. While the casualties in Iran at the time of writing have been around 26 dead, the Israelis have lost around six persons. Israel and Iran have been locked in a proxy war for decades. When we went to Israel for an official visit from the National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi in 2009, we were briefed by their foreign and Defence Ministry senior officials and all were in unison to list their threat perception, their enemy No 1, 2 and 3 as Iran, followed by Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Fatah in West Bank, the Syrian regime, militias in Iraq and Houthis from Yemen, in that order. When I later went there as Head of the Mission and Force Commander of United Nations Peacekeeping Force at Golan Heights between Israel and Syria from 2012 to 2015, the threat perception had not changed. I was the sponsor officer of the UAE naval officer doing the NDC and his dissertation was on Nuclear Programme of Iran. This officer along with the Saudi and the Egyptian officers always asked questions to the guest speakers on nuclear assets of Iran. Therefore, as early as the first decade of this millennium, it was not only the Israelis but also all GCC and Arab countries were equally wary of the Iranian nuclear assets and keenly watched their progress as they viewed it as a Shia Bomb. The Sunni world already had a nuclear bomb closer home in Pakistan and Jews had their own; but they have all been always apprehensive of Iran getting the expertise because of the theocratic power structure of Iran. The Iron Dome was built jointly by US and Israel in 2011 and I was shown its effectiveness during the previous Gaza war of 2014 that lasted 52 days. India rightly acquired the know-how from Israel and coupled it with the S-400 Triumf, surface-to-air anti-aircraft missile system from Russia, in creating Akashteer, a comprehensive air Defence system; its own version of Iron Dome that protected us from the enemy air assets during Operation Sindoor. Both China and Russia have jointly criticised the brazen Israeli offensive as an attack on Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. The E3 to include UK, France and Germany invited the Iranian Foreign Minister to Geneva for talks on the nuclear deal but the Iranians have kept the condition of bringing an end to Israeli attacks on their soil and further destruction of the country and causing large-scale death and destruction of their population as a prerequisite for the talks to recommence. Since October 7, 202 attack by Hamas cadres on Israeli military cadres and civilians, Israel has been systematically eliminating all sub-conventional and conventional threats in the region. For decades, Iran has been fighting a proxy war with Israel through Hizbullah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, Fatah in West Bank, erstwhile Syrian regime of Assad, Shia militias in Iraq and the Houthis from Yemen. Israel has termed Iran an Octopus and has very diligently crushed its arms of Hamas, Hezbollah, Bashar Al Assad, Shia militia of Iraq and Houthis from Yemen. In doing so, Israel has completely dismantled the so-called Shia Crescent and has now decided to go for the head of the octopus. It has got overwhelming success in the initial attacks but is now finding it hard to reach the head of the octopus. Before reaching the head of the octopus, Israel has to deal with the mantle, siphon and the beak! The Iran-Israel-USA war is not coming to an early end. Israel will ensure that Iran is weakened substantially and its nuclear-weapon ambition is pushed by five to ten years. However, Iran may walk out of Non-Proliferation Treaty and give impetus to its nuclear dream. A nuclear Iran will also be more secure as nuclear capability brings in a strategic deterrence. The non-contact wars have a limitation and there is very little possibility of Israel and US to commit troops on the ground. India enjoys good relations with both Iran and Israel and is not in a position to pick sides. India has historical, cultural and traditional relations with Iran spanning centuries, is managing the operations of the Chabahar Port project and has a stake in the International North-South Transport Corridor connecting ship, rail and road trade routes between Azerbaijan, Central Asia, Europe, India, Iran and Russia. It is also ensuring its energy security with help of Iran. With our dependence on Israel for our defence procurement especially in command and control and air defence sectors including the domain of information technology and cybersecurity, we have developed strategic partnership with Israel in the last three decades. India has to ensure a tightrope walk and in fact may be able to work towards bringing ceasefire and peace between the two varying sides, as it enjoys excellent relations with both the nations. The author was Head of the Mission and Force Commander of UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNDOF) between Israel and Syria at Golan Heights from 2012 to 2014. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 23, 2025, 13:57 IST News opinion Opinion | Israel-Iran War: Targeting & Taming The Octopus Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New York Post
05-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump says Iran has not agreed to inspections, give up enrichment
President Donald Trump said on Friday that Iran had not agreed to inspections of its nuclear program or to give up enriching uranium. He told reporters aboard Air Force One that he believed Tehran's nuclear program had been set back permanently although Iran could restart it at a different location. Trump said he would discuss Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he visits the White House on Monday. Advertisement 'I would say it's set back permanently,' Trump said as he traveled to New Jersey after an Independence Day celebration at the White House. 'I would think they'd have to start at a different location. And if they did start, it would be a problem.' 5 President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One during a fight to New Jersey on July 4, 2025. REUTERS Trump said he would not allow Tehran to resume its nuclear program, adding that Iran did want to meet with him. Advertisement The UN nuclear watchdog said on Friday it had pulled its last remaining inspectors from Iran as a standoff deepens over their return to the country's nuclear facilities bombed by the United States and Israel. The US and Israel say Iran was enriching uranium to build nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Israel launched its first military strikes on Iran's nuclear sites in a 12-day war with the Islamic Republic three weeks ago. 5 A satellite image of the Fordow Facility in Iran after the US bombardment on June 27, 2025. AP Advertisement 5 The US sent B-2 Stealth Bombers to the Fordow site while nuclear-powered submarines fired ballistic missiles at Isfahan and Natanz sites, south of Tehran. Rob Jejenich / NY Post Design The International Atomic Energy Agency's inspectors have not been able to inspect Iran's facilities since then, even though IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has said that is his top priority. Iran's parliament has passed a law suspending cooperation with the IAEA until the safety of its nuclear facilities can be guaranteed. While the IAEA says Iran has not yet formally informed it of any suspension, it is unclear when the agency's inspectors will be able to return to Iran. Advertisement Iran has accused the agency of effectively paving the way for the bombings by issuing a damning report on May 31 that led to a resolution by the IAEA's 35-nation Board of Governors declaring Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. 5 Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran on June 15, 2025. 5 President Trump salutes B-2 Bombers during a flyover at the White House alongside first lady Melania Trump on July 4, 2025. via REUTERS The US and Israeli military strikes either destroyed or badly damaged Iran's three uranium enrichment sites. But it was less clear what has happened to much of Iran's nine tons of enriched uranium, especially the more than 880 pounds enriched to up to 60% purity, a short step from weapons grade.
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First Post
27-06-2025
- Politics
- First Post
'Brightest blast I've ever seen': B-2 fighter jet pilot recalls US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities
The 37-hour mission was executed by a diverse crew of men and women, holding ranks from captain to colonel. The majority were alumni of the Air Force Weapons School, a prestigious academy in Nevada known for producing top-tier tactical experts read more A US fighter pilot who flew one of the B-2 Stealth Bombers to target Iran's nuclear programme recalled his experience during 'Operation Midnight Hammer' as the Pentagon released new details of the mission . Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, while sharing the specifics of the mission, recalled how a crew member involved in the 37-hour-long operation shared instances of its successful conduct. 'This was the brightest explosion I've ever seen—it looked like daylight,' Caine said, quoting one of the pilots. 'A crew member told me when I talked to them on video the other day that this felt like the Super Bowl, the thousands of scientists, airmen, and maintainers all coming together,' the general added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US joined the Israel-Iran conflict over the weekend and bombed three key nuclear sites, Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan. There has been some dispute over the extent of the damage caused by American strikes, with US President Donald Trump saying that they 'obliterated' the nuclear facilities and media reports claiming that the sites were only set back by a few years. The 37-hour mission was executed by a diverse crew of men and women, holding ranks from captain to colonel. The majority were alumni of the Air Force Weapons School, a prestigious academy in Nevada known for producing top-tier tactical experts. 'When the crews went to work on Friday, they kissed their loved ones goodbye, not knowing when or if they'd be home. Late on Saturday night, their families became aware of what was happening,' Caine said. Following the attacks that have been dubbed successful by the US, the B-2 Stealth bombers, the ones that were used to 'destroy' the nuclear sites, returned to Missouri and were welcomed by the crews' families, 'waving flags and tears were flowing,' he added. In the days leading up to the mission, Iran tried to reinforce the Fordow nuclear facility, buried deep within a mountain, by sealing the ventilation shafts with concrete, aiming to block the entry points for American bombs, the Pentagon report revealed. 'I won't share the specific dimensions of the concrete cap. But you should know that we know what the dimensions of those concrete caps were. The planners had to account for this. They accounted for everything,' Caine said.
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Several countries ready to supply nuclear warheads to Iran': Top Putin aide amid US strikes on Tehran
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has said that several countries are poised to directly provide Iran with their nuclear warheads amid US strikes on Iran's three nuclear sites, Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow and added that it is US President Donald Trump who has 'pushed America into another war'. The deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, Medvedev, outlined his views in a series of posts on X on what the Trump administration's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities accomplished for the US. 'The enrichment of nuclear material and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons will continue,' said Medvedev. 2. The enrichment of nuclear material — and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons — will continue. 3. A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads. — Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) June 22, 2025 Medvedev, who is a top aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin, wrote 'A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads.' But the Russian leader refrained from providing details of the specific countries that might pitch in and support Iran. Moscow has historically supported Iran's nuclear program. Earlier, Putin had offered to help mediate a peace talk between Israel and Iran in order to resolve the growing conflict. The Kremlin also offered to help negotiate a suitable nuclear deal between the US and Iran. Moscow's efforts were rejected by Trump, who while taking a potshot at Russia had said, 'They should first take care of their own conflict.' When the former US President Barack Obama's administration signed a nuclear deal with Iran in 2015, which is also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Russia was involved in the process. The deal had lifted economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for a limit on Iran's nuclear program. But Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018 during his first tenure. The US struck three nuclear sites of Iran late on Saturday and the mission involved more than 125 aircrafts which included B-2 Stealth Bombers, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.
