Cost of Libya operation reached $100 million on day one

With US and coalition forces bombarding Libya leader Muammar Gaddafi’s forces from the sea and air, the cost for the first day alone of the operation was well over $100 million (€70.3m) with the total price tag expected to grow much higher the longer the strikes continue, analysts said.

Operation Odyssey Dawn appears to be focused on creating a limited no-fly zone mostly targeting Tripoli and other areas along the coast, which will require a wide range of military assets.

With allies expected to shoulder some of the bill, the initial stages of taking out Libya’s air defences could ultimately cost US-led coalition forces between $400m and $800m, according to a report released by the Centre for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.