USA relies on drone dominance: new strategy for warfare!

USA relies on drone dominance: new strategy for warfare!

On July 12, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unveiled a comprehensive strategy to accelerate drone procurement in the US military. This initiative aims to ensure the United States' dominance in the field of unmanned warfare. The announcement follows an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at strengthening the domestic drone industry. Hegseth emphasizes that the procurement and operation of drones should be delegated directly to the frontline forces in the future.

Three key directives have been identified as part of this new strategy. First, domestic drone production is to be expanded, with approvals being granted for hundreds of US-made systems. Second, it seeks technological advancement by equipping combat units with low-cost drones developed by American engineers and AI experts. Third, a cultural shift in military training and planning is planned to overcome bureaucracy's risk aversion and integrate drone warfare into combat exercises.

Planned approach and budget

To implement the new strategies, “force-on-force drone wars” are planned by next year, which will represent a realistic and practical approach to improving combat effectiveness. Hegseth suggests that these new measures could potentially roll back previous restrictions that emerged under the Biden administration. The Defense Department's fiscal year 2026 budget request includes a $13.4 billion budget for autonomy and autonomous systems, while the total Defense Department budget for 2026 is $848.3 billion.

Bundeswehr drone plans

The Bundeswehr is also planning ambitious steps in drone technology. Compared to the US military's initiatives, Germany is focused on optimizing the development and use of drones in different phases of warfare. In particular, the focus is on improving situational awareness capabilities and the integration of unmanned systems into various military operations. According to one Report on the Bundeswehr website This is achieved through training and the use of new technologies designed to support decision-making in combat.

The strategies that both the US military and the Bundeswehr are pursuing clearly demonstrate the growing importance of drones in modern conflicts. While the USA focuses primarily on increasing production and technological development, Germany focuses on effective deployment and integration into existing military structures.