The estimate is part of a report attempting to forecast how much the operation might cost in the future. It was published by the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA), that’s influential with the US Department of Defense.
The think tank’s defense experts, many of whom are military veterans, have used a figure given by the Pentagon itself, which said that the military operations against the Islamic State cost $530 million through August 26, RT reported.
The group’s own estimate covers the period from August 27 through September 24 and is based on “what is publicly known about the number of targets struck, the types of aircraft and munitions used, the basing options available to US forces in the region, and the number US ground forces in the region.”
The various costs associated with the military actions against the ISIL have been reflected in a graphic, issued by the CSBA.
“The total cost to date from mid-June through September 24 is likely between $780 and $930 million,” the report says.
It further comes up with possible estimates of three scenarios of the way the military operation will develop in the region.
“Assuming a moderate level of air operations and 2,000 deployed ground forces, the costs would likely run between $200 and $320 million per month,” the study says.
If the airstrikes moderately intensify and 5,000 ground forces are deployed, the cost would be driven to $350 and $570 million per month.
Finally, if the military campaign “expands significantly” and 25,000 US troops are deployed, the monthly cost of the operation might grow to $1.1 to $1.8 billion.
Annually the first scenario would cost the American budget $2.4 to $3.8 billion per year, while the third, highest-intensity, one would require the US to spend $22 billion.