Pentagon Establishes New Command to Expand AI and Drone Capabilities

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday the establishment of a new military command that will dedicate its efforts to building and providing autonomous and robotic capabilities across the US Army.

Hegseth said the new command would be named "Autonomous Warfare Command," highlighting the rapidly changing nature of wars and the need for progress in systems such as drones and the use of artificial intelligence.

Creating a new command is not common; the last one established was US Space Command in 2019, according to Reuters.

This step reflects the Pentagon's pursuit of a transition from expensive traditional weapons platforms to cheaper autonomous systems relying on artificial intelligence, which have proven their decisive role in recent conflicts.

In a speech before hundreds of service members at Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth said the command would be headed by a four-star general.

He added in a speech titled "State of the Force," where he also announced other changes including the creation of an Office of Religious Affairs: "The pace of war is changing faster than the process supporting it."

The US military currently comprises 11 combatant commands, responsible for different regions of the world and specific missions.

America has always relied on its massive military budget to operate some of the most expensive weapon systems in the world. However, there is growing awareness within the Pentagon that this situation is unsustainable.

Hegseth stated: "Today we need both quality and quantity."

Warfare technology has evolved rapidly in recent years, a transformation clearly evident in the course of Russia's war in Ukraine.

What began as a conflict dominated by tanks and artillery fire has increasingly become a drone war.

Given Russia's superiority over it in conventional tanks and aircraft, Ukraine resorted to inexpensive unmanned systems for reconnaissance and attack purposes.

Estimates indicate that drones are responsible for approximately 70% of Russian losses.

The Pentagon has made some progress in recent years, including the establishment of a task force focused on countering drones.