Pentagon Establishes Autonomous Warfare Command and Secures Massive Funding for Drone Development

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday the creation of a new military command designed to oversee and co-ordinate drone development and support overseas operations.

“Today at my direction, we are announcing the creation of Autonomous Warfare Command – or Autowarcom – a four-star combatant command with service-like authorities built to scale autonomous and robotic capabilities,” Mr Hegseth stated during his "State of the Forces" speech at the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

He emphasized the need for rapid, decisive capabilities, stating, “We need bolts of lightning high – our existing high-end kill chains capable of striking unexpectedly and decisively.”

Alongside the new command, the Pentagon requested $54.6 billion for its Defence Autonomous Warfare Group in the 2027 fiscal year budget to manage and consolidate drone development, a substantial increase from $226 million this year.

During his address, Mr Hegseth also heavily criticized the press, labeling media coverage of the Iran war as “a national betrayal” and describing journalists as anti-American traitors.

“A free press is of course important, but partisan activism that intentionally smears the troops and the historic mission that they are undertaking is fundamentally anti-American,” Mr Hegseth said. “It’s sick. It’s a national betrayal. It’s treason.”

These remarks align with his previous criticisms and new reporting restrictions imposed on the Pentagon press corps, echoing President Donald Trump’s assertions regarding media reporting.

Furthermore, Mr Hegseth reiterated his stance against previous Pentagon policies, stating, "We are no longer the woke department or the weak department. Simple translation of that – no fatties, no trannies, no beardos, no weirdos, no wimps, no radicals. Just warriors."

Additionally, he announced a 20 per cent reduction in slots for generals and admirals, implementing directives that permit lower-ranking officers, such as Army colonels or Navy captains, to fill certain posts.