Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has cleared layers of Pentagon bureaucracy to initiate a rapid drone surge across all branches of the U.S. military, acting under direct orders from President Trump.
The move reclassifies small drones as expendable munitions rather than aircraft, enabling commanders to bypass traditional procurement channels and acquire systems immediately for battlefield use. Hegseth’s directive removes acquisition red tape, directing field leaders to treat Group 1 and Group 2 drones as low-cost, high-volume combat tools.
The order mandates immediate integration of these drones into training exercises, with every military service required to run combat simulations using drone swarms. Commanders now have the authority to develop, purchase, and deploy drone platforms without oversight from the Pentagon’s Joint Capabilities Board or traditional program offices.
This action aligns with Hegseth’s broader vision to overhaul the U.S. Army’s structure and capabilities. That vision includes plans for equipping every Army division with 1,000 drones within two years, transitioning from conventional helicopters to unmanned platforms, and investing in artificial intelligence and electromagnetic warfare. Hegseth’s strategic philosophy emphasizes overwhelming the enemy with mass, autonomy, and lethality—core elements of President Trump’s national defense agenda.
Critics argue the removal of procurement oversight risks unintended consequences. They warn that bypassing traditional safety checks and testing could lead to malfunctions or misuse in high-stakes operations. Yet Trump’s administration sees this as essential to restore American battlefield dominance, especially amid growing threats from China and Iran, both of which have heavily invested in drone and electronic warfare capabilities.
Hegseth’s drone order is expected to accelerate contracts with U.S.-based drone makers and fast-track field deployment of autonomous swarms. The initiative may also increase pressure on NATO allies to modernize alongside the United States, signaling a new phase in global military posture centered around rapid, decentralized drone warfare.
