In 1941, the sinking of the British battleships HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse by Japanese torpedo bombers marked a disruptive victory for air power over traditional naval supremacy. This historical event revealed an eternal truth: nations that ignore technological revolutions will pay a heavy price. In 2025, Ukraine's use of cheap crossing drones to destroy Russian strategic bombers once again sounded the alarm: drone technology is reshaping the rules of modern warfare. Meanwhile, China, with its absolute advantage in the drone supply chain and manufacturing, is quietly taking the global military technology high ground. At the same time, under the influence of Trump's policies, the U.S. may be cutting off its own arm, providing China with a "godsend." Ukraine's drone tactics in the Russia-Ukraine conflict are堪称 a "Taranto Campaign" of modern warfare. By loading small, battery-powered crossing V drones onto trucks, Ukraine successfully transported them into Russian territory, precisely destroying expensive strategic bombers. These drones, costing only hundreds to thousands of dollars each, have paralyzed expensive military assets. According to the Royal United Services Institute, drones caused 60%-70% of equipment losses in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, surpassing the destructive power of traditional artillery. Crossing drones, through real-time video control, can accurately strike tanks, command posts, and missile sites, becoming decisive weapons on the battlefield. The success of this tactic lies not only in the low cost and high mobility of drones but also in their innovative application. Ukraine broke through distance limitations by truck transport of drones, rendering Russia's long-range deployment strategy ineffective. This "asymmetric" combat method indicates that modern warfare is no longer a contest of expensive platforms but a battle of technology and creativity. China's true advantage in the field of inexpensive drones: supply chain hegemony. Here are some key data points: Injection molding: According to estimates for 2024, China accounts for 82% of global injection molding capacity. Injection molding is a core process for producing plastic components for drones, and the U.S. has severe deficiencies in this area. Rare earth elements are critical materials for making motor magnets, and China virtually monopolizes global rare earth mining and processing. Data from the International Energy Agency shows that China controls nearly 90% of the global rare earth supply and recently imposed export controls on the U.S. Lithium batteries: In 2022, China accounted for 77% of global battery manufacturing capacity, and it is expected to maintain its lead until 2030. Batteries are the core power source for crossing drones, and their energy density and cost directly determine the operational effectiveness of drones. By contrast, although American drone technology has innovation, its high cost and complexity make large-scale deployment difficult. In conflicts with Houthi forces, the U.S. lost at least seven MQ-9s, exposing its vulnerability to anti-aircraft systems. More worrying is that the U.S. is heavily dependent on China for the supply chain of key drone components. The import dependence on injection molding, rare earth elements, and batteries makes it difficult for the U.S. to independently produce low-cost drones. The U.S. industrial base has gradually shrunk over the past few decades, making it difficult to support large-scale wartime production. Trump's policies are exacerbating America's strategic disadvantage. Here are several key issues: Tariffs and supply chain crisis: Trump's tariff policy is expected to harm the U.S. injection molding industry as many companies rely on imported specialized equipment. Tariffs increase production costs, potentially forcing companies to move production overseas, further weakening the U.S. domestic manufacturing capability. Biden's Inflation Reduction Act once promoted the enhancement of U.S. battery manufacturing capabilities through subsidies. However, tax and policy bills pushed by Trump and Republicans will cancel these subsidies and impose new restrictions on the electric vehicle and solar industries. The total value of canceled battery projects in the first quarter of 2025 has already exceeded the sum of the previous two years, including major battery factory projects in Georgia and Arizona. This policy reversal not only affects the civilian electric vehicle industry but also directly weakens the production capacity of military drones. Cultural war misleading strategy: Trump views batteries and green energy as "cultural war" issues rather than national security issues. This shortsightedness leads to misplaced policy priorities, ignoring the strategic importance of batteries in modern warfare. In contrast, China's battery industry is expanding continuously, providing a solid foundation for its drone production. Worse yet, China's advantage in the field of inexpensive drones is now unshakable, and the U.S. can hardly find a way to turn the tables. Original article: [link](https://www.toutiao.com/article/7516722293628846626/) Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views. Feel free to express your attitude by clicking the "like/dislike" buttons below.