The US has lost its first AH-64 Apache attack helicopter since the start of its war with Iran after the aircraft went down near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, June 9, according to a report by The New York Times (NYT).
According to the NYT, both crew members were rescued safely, and the incident is under investigation.
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It was not immediately clear whether the helicopter was shot down by Iranian forces, suffered a mechanical malfunction or encountered another problem, the NYT reported, citing two people briefed on the matter.
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Tuesday that the crew members were unharmed.
“The crew members are fine,” Trump told reporters, adding that a report on the incident would be released soon.
First Apache lost in conflict
The loss marks the first known Apache helicopter destroyed or lost since the conflict between the US-Israeli war in Iran began on Feb. 28.
Iran has previously shot down around 30 US MQ-9 Reaper drones during the war, while several American fighter aircraft have also been lost to hostile and friendly fire, according to the NYT.
The Military Times, citing a Congressional Research Service report, said 42 US aircraft had been lost or damaged in the war in Iran as of mid-May, including multiple F-15 jets downed by friendly fire over Kuwait and another one downed over Iran flown by the same pilot involved in the Kuwait incident.
The AH-64 Apache, armed with Hellfire missiles and a 30mm cannon, is among the most heavily armed aircraft deployed by US forces in the region.
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Helicopters operating close to Iranian territory
US Central Command has increasingly used Apache helicopters to patrol the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters to counter Iran’s disruption of commercial shipping routes.
According to the NYT, the helicopters have recently been operating closer to Iranian-controlled islands and territory in the Persian Gulf as part of a more aggressive US military posture.
Apache crews have been tasked with deterring attacks by small boats and intercepting drones operating near the strategic waterway.
Does Ukraine operate any Apaches?
As of June 2026, Ukraine does not operate any Apache attack helicopters, though there have been discussions about potential transfers.
In 2023, the UK reportedly considered transferring the helicopters to Ukraine, according to The Mirror. The publication later retracted the report.
While some have called for the transfer of ground-attack aircraft such as Apache helicopters and A-10 Warthogs to strengthen Kyiv’s close air support capabilities, the heavily contested airspace over Ukraine continues to limit the effectiveness of such platforms without substantial air superiority and integrated air defense suppression.
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