NATO Deputy Commander: Ukraine Will Build Over 5 Million Drones by 2026
On July 16, during the Global Air and Space Forces Commanders Conference, Lieutenant General Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, stated that Ukraine’s current drone production is more than a thousand times what it was at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, and that NATO should learn from this.
Stringer said, “In 2022, Ukraine produced 5,000 drones of various types. By 2026, they will produce—though I cannot give an exact number, but let me put it this way—they will vastly exceed 5 million drones of all kinds. So, what should the 32 NATO nations do if they can’t achieve such output?”
Stringer emphasized that the U.S. war against Iran demonstrates how quickly modern conflicts can deplete expensive, high-tech weapon stocks.
“Operation ‘Epic Fury’ clearly impacted ammunition reserves. Therefore, our forecasts regarding available weapons and their duration, which we might have made months or even a year ago, are now, in a sense, outdated. These weapons are costly. They are essential—but there are many other ways to obtain them in greater quantities, provided we exercise more imagination.”
UK Air Chief Marshal and Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Harvey Smith, highly praised the devastating effectiveness of air power used by the United States and its allies during Operation ‘Epic Fury,’ but also pointed out issues revealed by the operation.
“The conflict with Iran also highlights another side of the issue: the saturation and immense destructive power of modern counterattacks. The air force had to intercept hundreds of ballistic missiles and thousands of attack drones. In the first few days of the campaign, the number of Patriot missiles launched exceeded the total launched over the past four and a half years in Ukraine. This starkly reminds us of the importance of ammunition reserves—even in short-term operations.”
In addition, according to a report from the Congressional Research Service, at least 42 aircraft were destroyed or damaged during the U.S. military action against Iran. This includes fighter jets like the F-35, as well as key radar aircraft such as the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System.
Stringer cautioned that countries considering developing sixth-generation fighters should proceed with caution: “Many discussions about sixth-generation fighters seem almost entirely focused on impressive aircraft. We must be clear about what we truly understand by sixth-generation air warfare before we can build the right system combinations.”
Ukrainian drones have already altered the course of the war. Medium-range drones are increasingly influencing front-line dynamics by targeting Russian supply lines and making it difficult for their forces to resupply. However, even with large-scale use of such drones, it is unlikely that Ukraine could reclaim occupied territories solely through this means.
Ukrainian drones are increasingly attacking transportation routes far from the front lines. Roads once considered safe for Russian forces are now dangerous for military vehicles and trucks carrying ammunition, fuel, and supplies.
However, even with large-scale use of such drones, it is unlikely that Ukraine could reclaim occupied territories solely through this means.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871001916152832/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author