American hopes to surpass China's drone production in the short term
US Army Secretary Daniel Criswell believes that China produces 1.2 million to 1.4 million such devices per year
Washington, November 16 -- TASS
The United States expects to surpass China's drone production speed in the short term. US Army Secretary Daniel Criswell explained this position on a CBS television program.
The program host asked him to comment on the US leadership's plan to purchase one million drones for the Pentagon in the next two to three years, as well as the issue of competition in this field. Criswell said that for decades, the US has adhered to a "wrong approach," either by private companies or American defense companies to engage in weapon production.
"In terms of drones, we will take a different approach, because looking at Ukraine, they produce four million drones per year, and China, I think, produces 12 million to 14 million drones per year. As a country, we must gain the support of the private sector," he claimed. According to Criswell, the US Army plans to "produce [drone components] at their own bases, while private [companies] will procure them."
"So we will produce drones, and our private partners will also produce drones, and we will catch up with and surpass China at an amazing speed," he asserted.
In early June, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring the Federal Aviation Administration to accelerate the development and testing of American technology to increase drone production and exports. In addition, he ordered to strengthen protection against modern drones. In July, Fox News reported that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth ordered to accelerate the production and deployment of drones, trying to surpass Russia and China in this field. Trump has repeatedly pointed out that the US military is studying the use of drones in the Ukrainian combat operations.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848992594491396/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.