US Defense Chief Unveils Drone Command, Announces 20% Cut in Generals in ‘State of the Force’ Speech

Hegseth unveils new drone command, plans 20% cut in US generals

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a series of major changes to the US military on Wednesday, including the creation of a new drone-focused command and plans to cut the number of generals and admirals by 20%.

Speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia during his “State of the Force” address, Hegseth also announced a study into the future of warfare led by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey.

The Pentagon will also establish an Office of Religious Affairs and plans to build its first new military base in 40 years, Hegseth said.

New command to focus on drones and autonomous warfare

Hegseth announced the creation of a new four-star command tasked with overseeing the military’s adoption of autonomous and robotic systems.

He described the move as part of the “fastest peacetime shift in modern military history” and acknowledged that the pace of technological change in warfare is outstripping the military’s ability to adapt.

“Ukraine’s lesson is not that one type of drone wins wars, but rather the need for a purpose-built system that maximizes the ability to adapt,” Hegseth said, pointing to Ukraine’s extensive use of drones against Russian forces.

The announcement comes as the US military faces growing pressure to expand its drone capabilities. Iran has relied heavily on relatively inexpensive drones during its seven-month war with the US, while American forces have also studied Ukraine’s battlefield experience.

The new command also comes after the Army recently ordered a Europe-based unit specialising in drone warfare to abandon that role and return to conventional infantry duties. A bipartisan group of lawmakers has asked the Army to explain the decision.

20% cut in generals and admirals

Hegseth also said he had ordered the military services to double a previously announced reduction in senior officers. The Pentagon will now cut 20% of roughly 800 general and flag officer positions by January 1, 2027.

“I call it accountability and long overdue,” Hegseth said.

The plan has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, who argue that removing senior officers on such a scale could weaken military leadership.

Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona and former Navy combat pilot, accused Hegseth of “purging a generation of great leaders” and said rebuilding the ranks could take years.

Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he wanted to understand the reasoning behind the cuts.

“If it’s simply a matter of eliminating a very heavy top, there may be some validity to it, but I want to see it first,” Rounds said.

Musk, Gingrich to study future warfare

Hegseth said Musk, Gingrich and Luckey would help lead a Pentagon initiative focused on developing the weapons and military systems needed for future conflicts.

The study will focus on “discovering, developing and fielding the weapons and systems that our children and our grandchildren will need in their lifetimes,” Hegseth said.

He said the US must be prepared to dominate future battlefields “from under the Earth to beyond the moon”.

The announcement comes as the US expands its focus on military capabilities in space. The Pentagon confirmed this month that it had deployed weapons in space for the first time.

New military base, self-powered installations

Hegseth also announced plans for the first new US military base in four decades. All 50 states will be invited to compete to host the facility, which could accommodate between 15,000 and 20,000 service members.

The Defense Department also plans to make every US military base self-powered, Hegseth said.

The announcements come as the Pentagon continues to reshape the US military while American forces remain engaged in a seven-month war with Iran and other operations around the world.