Amid global drone arms surge
The United States is stepping up efforts to produce and deploy low-cost drones at scale as it faces mounting pressure to match rivals in unmanned warfare, US defence officials have confirmed.
Eighteen American-made drone prototypes were displayed at the Pentagon on July 16, 2025, marking a shift toward faster and cheaper production of battlefield systems. The drones, built using commercial components, are part of a push by the US Department of Defence (DoD) to accelerate innovation and deployment amid growing drone use in global conflicts.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States must respond to what he described as a generational shift in warfare. On July 10, 2025, he issued a policy directive ordering the rollback of regulations that had delayed drone production.
Hegseth warned that American forces currently lack sufficient quantities of small, lethal drones, while adversaries have been producing them in vast numbers.
According to Emil Michael, US Undersecretary for Research and Engineering, the displayed US-made drones were developed in just 18 months, a significant reduction from the typical six-year timeline of past defence programmes. He added that cost, resilience, firepower and range will be prioritised in upcoming production cycles.
The push comes amid reports that drones have accounted for the majority of battlefield casualties in Ukraine this year, highlighting the growing importance of unmanned systems in modern warfare.
Several Middle Eastern and North African states have closely monitored developments in drone warfare, with countries such as Iran, Turkey and the UAE investing heavily in domestic drone capabilities.
Hegseth outlined three key goals for the US military’s drone initiative. These include prioritising US-made drones and components, equipping frontline units with affordable and AI-powered drones, and expanding realistic training exercises involving drones.
In support of these aims, US President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on June 6, 2025, aimed at reducing regulatory barriers to the production of drones. The order instructs US agencies to streamline certification processes and open more airspace for drone testing and training. The Federal Aviation Administration and the DoD will coordinate on these measures to ensure rapid integration of drones into military operations.
Analysts say the move reflects broader concerns in Washington about maintaining technological superiority in defence. It also signals Washington’s intent to counter drone proliferation among both state and non-state actors, including in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa, where drone attacks and surveillance are becoming more common.
The Pentagon’s shift towards high-volume drone manufacturing could have strategic consequences for allies and adversaries alike, as global militaries race to adapt to the new era of aerial combat.
Hero image: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and US Undersecretary of Defence for Research and Engineering Emil Michael tour multidomain autonomous displays in the courtyard of the Pentagon on July 16, 2025. Credit: US Navy
