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Drone strike destroys Italian Predator UAV at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait — first NATO member aircraft lost

·Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait

A suspected Iranian drone struck Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on Day 16, destroying an Italian Air Force Predator UAV inside a hardened shelter. No personnel injured. Italian Defence Chief General Portolano confirmed the attack. FM Tajani: 'We will not be intimidated.' First direct destruction of a NATO member military aircraft in the conflict.

A suspected Iranian drone struck Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait on the morning of March 15, 2026 (Day 16), hitting a hardened aircraft shelter and destroying an Italian Air Force Predator unmanned aircraft belonging to the Italian Task Force Air. No Italian or US personnel were injured. Ali Al Salem Air Base hosts both US and Italian military forces and serves as a coalition air operations hub for the region. The Italian Predator was used for reconnaissance and ISR missions. Italian Chief of the Defence General Staff General Luciano Portolano confirmed the strike. Italian Foreign Minister Tajani stated soldiers were safe and Italy would not be intimidated. The event marks the first confirmed destruction of a NATO member nation military aircraft in the current conflict. Confirmed by itamilradar, Agenzia Nova, India Today, La Voce di New York (all published March 15, 2026).

Actor responses

IranOPPOSINGRESPONSE

IRGC drone forces struck Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait, which hosts US and Italian forces conducting operations against Iran. This is a warning to all countries hosting forces attacking the Islamic Republic.

NATOOPPOSINGRESPONSE

NATO strongly condemns the destruction of an Italian military aircraft at Ali Al Salem. This attack on a NATO member asset is unacceptable. We stand with Italy.

United StatesNEUTRALRESPONSE

The US condemns the drone attack at Ali Al Salem that destroyed an Italian aircraft. Coalition assets remain at risk from Iranian aggression. Iran will be held accountable.