WASHINGTON, Nov 8
The US Army has unveiled an ambitious plan to procure at least 1 million drones within the next two to three years, signaling one of the largest modernization efforts in American military history. The move underscores Washington’s push toward AI-assisted and autonomous warfare technologies amid rising global tensions.
According to Pentagon officials, the procurement drive will focus on surveillance, combat, and logistics drones, integrating AI-powered systems capable of swarming, data relay, and precision targeting.
“This isn’t just about buying drones — it’s about redefining modern warfare,” said Lt. Gen. Marcus Ellison, Deputy Chief of Army Acquisition. “Future conflicts will depend on intelligence speed, automation, and adaptability.”
AI and autonomy at the core
The Army’s plan follows lessons from recent conflicts where unmanned systems played decisive roles, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East. Analysts say the US strategy aims to build resilience against electronic warfare while boosting real-time battlefield decision-making using AI-driven data fusion.
“Drone swarms and machine learning models will allow troops to operate faster and safer,” noted Dr. Lara Jennings, defense technology researcher at RAND Corporation. “This marks a full-scale shift to algorithmic warfare.”
Boost for US defense industry
The massive procurement is expected to fuel American drone manufacturers and attract tech startups specializing in AI navigation, communications, and miniaturized payload systems. Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, Anduril, and Skydio are already positioning for contracts worth billions.
However, the initiative also raises ethical and strategic questions about the autonomy of lethal systems and international regulation of AI-based weapons.
Global race for drone dominance
The announcement comes as China, Russia, and Israel intensify their own drone production and AI warfare programs. The Pentagon’s move aims to ensure that the US maintains technological superiority amid an accelerating global arms race.
