DRONE WARFARE: Unveiling the Future Battleground, a Look at Ukraine and Beyond
Escalating drone conflicts have materialized, revealing a grave lack of preparedness on the part of the United States
In an exclusive discussion on 'America Reports', Ret. Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, the Special Presidential Envoy to Ukraine, sheds light on the latest developments in the Ukraine-Russia conflict and the looming revolution in warfare.
The recent drone strike on Russia by Ukraine showcases the long-lasting implications of advanced, lethal drone technology. This technology, portraying a substantial evolution in combat capabilities, is set to become a permanent fixture in future conflicts.
Leaders must acknowledge the new reality of modern warfare, as the Ukraine-Russia conflict serves as a distinct blueprint for future conflicts. That's right, folks, we're looking at a different ball game now.
Skepticism about the potential of small, handheld drones costing only a few hundred dollars persists, but such views are clouded, making the U.S. ill-prepared. It's high time to rid ourselves of such outdated mindsets. After all, we witnessed how Ukraine managed to take down over 40 strategic bombers, valued at billions, with a few decent trucks, cheap drones, and the will to win.
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Modern times are calling for modern approaches, yet the U.S. government seems stuck in the past, pouring billions into aircraft carriers that today could be easily toppled by swarms of unmanned surface vehicles. Such vessels already pushed the entire Russian Black Sea Fleet out of the Black Sea.
Our defense acquisitions priorities are nervy, at best. Enemies like Russia, Ukraine, Iran, and even China are viewing drones not merely as surveillance tools but as artillery rounds—their manufacturers are cranking out millions a year, while our government is giddy about American companies managing 100 drones a month.
So, what's the solution? Well, it's simple. We need to embrace innovation and create a more accessible, streamlined process for defense companies that understand the threats we're facing. Currently, our defense industrial base is dysfunctional, and the big defense contractors are clueless about adapting to this modern era of warfare due to government procurement issues.
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History may teach us a tough lesson: that the U.S. government will only update its outdated laws after suffering a catastrophic attack on U.S. soil. With the current state of things, we're lacking the widespread use of counter-drone and electronic warfare systems. It's about time we ask our leaders why we can't arm ourselves to protect our citizens before the unthinkable happens.
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In a nutshell, we are not prepared for the current state of global drone technology. These tools are becoming more accessible to the masses at lower costs, with lethal capabilities once reserved for first-world nations with deep pockets. The technology is spreading at an alarming pace, and we must adapt or perish.
Thankfully, a few companies are up to the challenge. Andrew Yakulis, CEO of Vector Defense, a defense startup focused on preparing soldiers for the next generation of drone warfare, lately shared his insights with me. He stated that "We don't have a drone technology problem, we have a contracting problem. Our broken government procurement process and defense department need to be reformed to allow innovators and companies that understand the threats to thrive."
He's right, America. The technology and knowledge to defend ourselves are at our fingertips. We're destined for another war where drone technology and AI will play a crucial role. We just have to act faster to adapt the federal budgets to the reality of modern warfare before it's too late.
- Although skepticism lingers about the potential ofsmall, handheld drones, their effectiveness has been demonstrated, as seen in Ukraine's successful takedown of several strategic Russian bombers, showing the need for a shift in our perspective.
- As technology advances, it's concerning that our defense acquisitions prioritize traditional methods, such as aircraft carriers, over innovative solutions like swarming unmanned surface vessels, which have already disrupted the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
- The rapid spread of drone technology and its increasingly accessible nature signifies an urgent need for reform in the government procurement process. Lack of action will leave us vulnerable, as the next generation of warfare will heavily rely on drone technology and artificial intelligence.
