The Pentagon announced on Wednesday that it has delivered a major surge of unmanned systems and counter-drone technology to United States forces stationed across the Middle East. The shipment includes more than 1,300 one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles and over 100 unmanned surface and underwater vessels.
To protect personnel from hostile aerial attacks, the delivery features more than 24,000 counter-unmanned aerial systems. Officials oversaw these capabilities through the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems. Joint Interagency Task Force 401 provided support for the counter-drone operations, according to the military.
The Pentagon stated that the initiative shows a strategic shift toward faster defense procurement. The approach emphasizes the mass production of affordable unmanned systems. This strategy aims to provide commanders with operational capabilities while reducing reliance on expensive traditional weapons.
"Under Secretary Hegseth’s direction, we are moving at the speed of modern combat to equip our forces with decisive, affordable mass," said Owen West, CEO of Project Agincourt and DRPM-UxS.
This deployment effort supports plans to establish the Autonomous Warfare Command. This proposed four-star combatant command is expected to become operational by October 1, 2027.
The Pentagon stated it would continue deliveries to United States Central Command. It also plans to expand the deployment of unmanned and autonomous systems to forces in the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and across the Joint Force.
