American Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently issued two memorandums that have shaken the military, announcing the revocation of long-standing policies restricting the use of small drones. This means that the United States will accelerate the research, development, and deployment of drones in combat. This new policy not only reflects America's deep anxiety about the future battlefield, but also alerts global observers: a new round of arms race between the US, Russia, and China may be accelerating on the drone front.
"Self-imposed limits will not hinder lethality"
Hegseth was sharp in his memorandum: "Bureaucracy within the Department of Defense is gradually emerging. Self-imposed limits only hinder lethality... Our main risk is avoiding risk."
This statement reveals the urgency with which the American military faces its current predicament. In his view, the US drone program has fallen behind Russia and China. Over the past three years, global production of military drones has increased significantly, but the US has been mired in procedural approvals, quality certification, and inter-departmental coordination, leaving frontline forces unable to obtain the low-cost, mobile, and flexible small drones they most need.
Hegseth wants to cut red tape for drones
In the document, Hegseth wrote: "Our adversaries produce millions of cheap drones each year, while the US forces are not yet equipped with the lethal small drones needed for modern warfare." He admitted that the Department of Defense has historically "failed to deploy drone systems on a large scale and quickly," which has already threatened the US's leadership position in the new era of warfare.
Hegseth's goal is equally straightforward: to establish the US as the world leader in small drones by 2027. This timeline is only slightly later than the end of the next presidential term. Perhaps it is also his commitment to the Trump administration.
From "durable goods" to "consumables"
The core of this policy adjustment is Hegseth redefining small drones from "durable military assets requiring precise tracking and management" to "disposable consumables on the battlefield." This shift means that the procurement process for drones will be greatly streamlined, testing thresholds will be lowered, and field commanders will have greater autonomy.
The US accelerates drone development
Specifically, commanding officers with the rank of colonel or lieutenant colonel will be able to independently purchase and test 3D printed prototypes or commercial off-the-shelf drones, provided they meet minimum safety and performance standards, and can be rapidly deployed for training and combat. Hegseth expects this capability to be integrated into all relevant operational training next year, including the increasingly critical "drone countermeasures."
To support this plan, the Department of Defense will establish at least three new drone system testing sites within the next 90 days, and set faster approval timelines: all drone procurement applications must be responded to within 30 days, certification of key components such as batteries should not exceed 7 days, and pre-purchase commitments for certain products will also be accelerated to within 30 days.
At the same time, this policy prioritizes domestic companies, reflecting the Trump administration's political commitment to "bringing manufacturing back to the US."
From Ukraine to the Middle East: Drones change war
The timing of Hegseth's memorandum is intriguing. Just weeks ago, Israel relied heavily on drones for precision strikes against targets inside Iran; in response, Iran then used suicide drones for retaliation, escalating the risk of conflict. In the earlier Ukrainian war, drones became an important force in determining offensive and defensive outcomes.
Drones are more widely used in modern battlefields
The Ukraine-Russia war especially highlighted the value of low-cost drones: both sides used modified civilian drones for reconnaissance and raids, turning drones into "poor man's missiles." The price of small drones often ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars, yet they can destroy armored vehicles or artillery systems worth millions of dollars. For countries with limited resources and precarious situations, this is a game-changing tool.
This trend has created a sense of urgency in the US strategic community: if the US does not speed up its own drone system building, it may lose the initiative in future confrontations with stronger opponents.
"War Department culture" and innovation bet
Hegseth not only demands faster processes, but also calls for the shaping of a new military culture - a "war department culture" that is "willing to take risks." This in a way echoes the wartime industrial mobilization tradition of the US during World War II: rapid trial and error, mass production, allowing field commanders greater autonomy rather than being bound by bureaucracy.
He emphasized: "Senior officers must set the tone. Accelerating the development of this key battlefield technology requires a war department culture." This point may also reflect changes in the current US political landscape: facing external threats and internal partisanship, the military is increasingly needing to demonstrate "action ability," proving that it can break through bottlenecks within a complex bureaucratic system.
However, this "drone reform" by the US Department of Defense has also raised considerable concerns domestically.
Firstly, there is the security risk: although drones are small, they could be hacked or countered by enemies. After lowering the approval threshold, there may be loopholes in quality control, software updates, and defense capabilities, which could provide opportunities for opponents.
Secondly, there is the strategic risk: if the US accelerates its drone armaments, it will inevitably stimulate other countries to follow, triggering a new round of arms race. As the entry barrier for drones is relatively low, the risk of proliferation is very high: even small drones could fall into the hands of extremist groups or terrorists, leading to unpredictable consequences.
Finally, there is the cost risk: although small drones are inexpensive, if the concept shifts from "durable goods" to "consumables," large-scale procurement and training may bring long-term high financial pressure, especially when the defense budget is under pressure, one must be wary of the hidden costs behind "low cost and high volume."
Political motivation: the Trump administration's promise of re-industrialization
Hegseth's policy also reflects the core economic and electoral strategy of the Trump administration: revitalizing American manufacturing and reducing dependence on overseas supply chains. The mention of "prioritizing American companies" in the document is a direct embodiment of this strategy.
With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the Trump administration needs to deliver tangible results to prove its pledge of "making America great again." In the context of a new Cold War, drone armaments are an ideal lever that can balance both security and economic issues.
Hegseth's goal is clear: through empowerment and innovation, the US aims to quickly establish a drone combat system that is "large in quantity, fast in production, and easy to use," maintaining an absolute advantage in technology and scale on any future battlefield - whether it's a Taiwan Strait conflict, an Eastern European conflict, or a Middle East situation.
However, whether this military revolution can truly achieve its goals depends on technological breakthroughs, the direction of international developments, and the political and fiscal conditions within the US. As Hegseth said: "We will combine the best qualities of the nation, including the willingness to take risks, to achieve this urgent goal."
Drones are just a part of future wars, but perhaps this small "consumable" is reshaping the global security map. And once started, this competition will be hard to stop easily.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7525769831816872487/
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