1 million kamikaze drones: How China outpaced America’s defenses

because Scale and urgency A new report says to meet the demand for affordable, precise drones and counter-drone systems. Here’s what you need to know about U.S. drone defense vulnerabilities:

Vulnerability Assessment

Think Tank Warns U.S. Drone Defense Gap:

• Researchers at the U.S. New Security Center acknowledge that the Department of Defense’s efforts to improve drone capabilities over the past decade, but say it’s not enough
• While the Pentagon has invested in drones and anti-UAV systems, the lack of urgency has put our competitors ahead.
• China has surpassed us in development and production
• Without rapid development and production, the U.S. military will risk overwhelming potential conflict with China.

Taiwan conflict scenario

Report warns about China’s drone’s advantages in potential warfare:

• “Without a profound magazine of massively enhanced anti-drone capabilities, the United States has the risk of overwhelming combat strategies of its distributed overwhelmingly by large-scale Chinese drone attacks, and the United States could lose war against Taiwan.”
• In Taiwan battle, U.S. military will need to fight against more and more drones in China
• People’s Liberation Army has long considered drones to be an integral part of their military institutions and has launched important investment plans
• In 2024, China ordered the manufacture of 1 million Kamikaze drones by 2026 and continued to invest in R&D

Inadequate training

Jordan attack highlights inadequate preparation:

• The report cites events in January 2024 in which Iran-made Shahed-101 Kamikaze drone hits the container’s housing unit structure on Jordan-Syria Border
• Attack killed three American soldiers and injured 40
• Final analysis said that the U.S. military had detected the drone before it was built, but failed to investigate and ultimately regarded it as “probably birds or garbage.”
• The researchers say disasters could hit due to lack of proper training

Technical advice

Report to advocates of advanced anti-regulatory systems:

• The Pentagon must focus on emerging technologies to ensure its competitors do not dominate the battlefield
• Researchers specifically point out that high-power microwaves and high-resolution passive sensors are the future of countering countless defenses
• The Army and Air Force deploy two microwave systems to combat drone swarms
• The Army’s Epirus Leonidas was unveiled in 2020 and can use electromagnetic pulse beams to target specific vehicles or large drones deployments

Tactical Method Debate

Electronic Warfare and Dynamic Interceptors:

• Defense experts are increasingly advocating to improve the development of electronic warfare systems such as Leonidas rather than traditional dynamics because of their reliability in opposing groups
• However, the report said that due to the reliability of the battle
• The report provides many suggestions that emphasize investment in new and emerging technologies while enhancing training and integration
• In particular, advocates for the addition of anti-drone training in all armed forces to ensure that all forces can defend themselves from emerging threats

Preventive measures

The report proposes comprehensive improvements:

• To prevent future tragedies, the report recommends improving drone sensors, increasing automation of decision-making and conducting realistic prototype testing
• Recommend other training beyond technical upgrades
• Stress to ensure that all military personnel can effectively respond to drone threats
• Integration of multiple defense systems and methods

Global battlefield environment

Modern conflicts show the importance of drone warfare:

• The report is because drones have become key weapons in the modern battlefield
• Drones have become a valuable tool for Russia and Ukraine, both sides have launched large groups on their borders
• Russian drone invasion is also spreading outside Ukraine
• Several Russian drones entered Polish airspace this week, prompting a response from NATO forces

International Response

NATO condemns Russian drone violations:

• Alliance members condemn the move of Russian drones entering Polish airspace
• NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte condemns Russia’s actions as “reckless”
• Events prove how drone warfare surpasses major conflict zones
• The international meaning of drone proliferation affects alliance security

Read more:

• The Pentagon “not ready” to defend against emerging drone wars: Report