U.S. Army Withdraws Unit Trained in 'Drone Warfare' in Europe

Officials told the Associated Press that a U.S. Army unit based in Europe, specialized in drone warfare, had been directed to halt efforts to train in and employ this combat technology and revert to functioning as a conventional infantry battalion.

The agency reports that for nearly a year, soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade had been experimenting with and building their own drones, as well as participating in training exercises on conducting warfare using these unmanned systems, particularly inspired by Ukraine’s leadership in deploying such tactics during its multi-year conflict with Russia.

Formed last November, the battalion comprised 600 soldiers and was specialized in drone warfare, designed as a dedicated unit capable of deployment wherever drone use is required.

General Christopher LaNeve, acting Chief of Staff of the Army, issued an order for the battalion to refocus on its core mission as an airborne infantry unit, according to two American officials.

This move comes as part of a broader restructuring effort under LaNeve, who has served as the top military commander since Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly dismissed General Randy George in April.

The decision also follows, according to the agency, a moment when the Iran-linked conflict highlighted the need for the United States to draw lessons from Ukraine’s experience in drone warfare.

Iran has used low-cost Shahed drones to attack ships and military bases, resulting in the deaths of American soldiers, the downing of an Army helicopter, and forcing the U.S. military to deplete its valuable stockpile of advanced intercept missiles.

In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian officials are assisting five Middle Eastern countries in countering Iranian drone attacks, while the United States and European nations were among other entities seeking support.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade—based in Italy and Germany—had already participated in drone warfare operations prior to last November.

In May 2025, the Army highlighted soldiers from the brigade designing and building their own attack drones within an "FPV Drone Lab" at Caserma Del Din base in Italy.

At the time, the unit’s commander, Major Joshua Gaspar, said in an Army statement that his troops "watch videos of FPV drones in Ukraine via Instagram and media," and that they "are excited about using these systems."

The unit also experimented with artificial intelligence—a field strongly advocated by Hegseth—and developed drones resistant to electronic jamming.

An Army statement noted that the specialized drone unit would conclude its experiments after conducting two major exercises in Germany this month and next, after which "it will transfer what it has learned—along with results achieved over the past year—to Army leadership, to help guide future force design and experimentation efforts."

A third official speaking to the agency said expectations had always pointed toward these exercises serving as a "final milestone" for the drone battalion, with its future subject to reassessment afterward.

The official added that most anticipated the unit would continue its drone warfare missions during General George’s tenure.

The Army stated the unit was tasked with studying and extracting lessons from forces specializing in unmanned systems—including those developed by the Ukrainian military—and conveying these insights to the Army, supporting the department’s goal of accelerating U.S. military dominance in the drone domain.