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US Army launches first multinational attack drone task force amid Iran conflict
🇲🇽 Mexico /Conflict & Security

US Army launches first multinational attack drone task force amid Iran conflict

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The U.S. Army launched its first multinational attack drone task force, Task Force Falcon Strike, to operate in the Middle East and Asia.
  • The new unit will utilize unmanned systems from air, sea, and underwater, expanding on the success of a previous drone task force.
  • The initiative comes amid the increasing prevalence of drones in warfare and the U.S. military's goal to acquire 300,000 drones by 2027.

The U.S. Army has established its first multinational attack drone task force, dubbed Task Force Falcon Strike, aimed at enhancing operations in the Middle East and Asia. This new unit will leverage advanced unmanned systems across air, surface, and subsurface domains, operating under the command of U.S. military personnel and regional partners.

The formation of Falcon Strike builds upon the success of the Task Force Scorpion Strike, established nine months prior as the Army's inaugural attack drone squadron in the Middle East. Notable achievements from Scorpion Strike include the first combat use of maritime drones by U.S. forces and the initial launch of an aerial attack drone from a Navy warship.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command (Centcom), stated that Falcon Strike will amplify Scorpion Strike's achievements by incorporating the significant innovation emerging from regional allies and partners. The task force's deployment coincides with the growing global reliance on drones in conflict, as evidenced by the wars in Ukraine and Sudan, where the UN has noted their significant role in civilian casualties.

Task Force Falcon Strike will expand on the success of Scorpion Strike given the tremendous innovation that is occurring among our regional allies and partners.

— Admiral Brad CooperAdmiral Brad Cooper, commander of Centcom, commented on the expansion of drone capabilities.

The U.S. Department of Defense has set an ambitious goal to acquire 300,000 drones by 2027, with individual units costing between $2,300 and $5,000. This push for drone dominance is partly driven by their cost-effectiveness as an alternative to more expensive weaponry, a point acknowledged by President Trump amidst reported shortages of certain arms.

While Centcom has not yet specified the exact partner nations that will comprise Falcon Strike, invitations are being extended to countries within its 21-nation area of responsibility. Cooper emphasized the strength derived from integrating and deploying new capabilities collaboratively with regional allies and partners.

The U.S. Army has strong alliances and friends in the region. We are collectively stronger when we integrate and deploy new capabilities together.

— Admiral Brad CooperAdmiral Brad Cooper, commander of Centcom, highlighted the importance of collaboration in the region.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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