News
October 21, 2025
Army General Calls for US to Get Shahed-like Suicide Drones
The Russian military has been using Shahed suicide drones against Ukraine with great effect.The post Army General Calls for US to Get Shahed-like Suicide Drones appeared first on The National Interest.
A top U.S. Army general is urging the United States to develop and deploy its own version of the Shahed-series suicide drones, citing the effectiveness of these weapons in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The call to action, initially highlighted by The National Interest, underscores a growing concern within military circles about the potential vulnerabilities of the U.S. armed forces to similar drone technology.
The Shahed drones, employed extensively by Russian forces against Ukrainian targets, have demonstrated a significant impact due to their relatively low cost, ease of deployment, and ability to overwhelm air defenses. These "one-way attack" drones, also known as loitering munitions, are designed to strike targets with precision, essentially acting as guided missiles.
The general's recommendation stems from the realization that the U.S. military, while possessing advanced and sophisticated weaponry, may lack a comparable, readily available, and cost-effective solution for specific tactical scenarios. The Shahed drones' ability to saturate enemy defenses and strike critical infrastructure highlights a gap in the U.S. arsenal that needs to be addressed, according to the general.
The call for Shahed-like drones doesn't necessarily imply a desire to replicate the exact design or capabilities of the existing models. Instead, the focus is on developing a similar class of weapon that can provide the U.S. military with a versatile and affordable option for a variety of missions. This could include reconnaissance, targeted strikes against enemy personnel or equipment, and suppression of enemy air defenses.
The general's statement is likely to spark debate within the Pentagon and defense industry about the optimal approach to developing and deploying such systems. Key considerations will include the cost-effectiveness of different designs, the integration of these drones into existing command and control structures, and the ethical implications of using autonomous weapons systems. The urgency in the general's message suggests that the U.S. military is taking the threat posed by these types of drones very seriously and is actively exploring ways to counter them and, potentially, adopt them for its own use.
The Shahed drones, employed extensively by Russian forces against Ukrainian targets, have demonstrated a significant impact due to their relatively low cost, ease of deployment, and ability to overwhelm air defenses. These "one-way attack" drones, also known as loitering munitions, are designed to strike targets with precision, essentially acting as guided missiles.
The general's recommendation stems from the realization that the U.S. military, while possessing advanced and sophisticated weaponry, may lack a comparable, readily available, and cost-effective solution for specific tactical scenarios. The Shahed drones' ability to saturate enemy defenses and strike critical infrastructure highlights a gap in the U.S. arsenal that needs to be addressed, according to the general.
The call for Shahed-like drones doesn't necessarily imply a desire to replicate the exact design or capabilities of the existing models. Instead, the focus is on developing a similar class of weapon that can provide the U.S. military with a versatile and affordable option for a variety of missions. This could include reconnaissance, targeted strikes against enemy personnel or equipment, and suppression of enemy air defenses.
The general's statement is likely to spark debate within the Pentagon and defense industry about the optimal approach to developing and deploying such systems. Key considerations will include the cost-effectiveness of different designs, the integration of these drones into existing command and control structures, and the ethical implications of using autonomous weapons systems. The urgency in the general's message suggests that the U.S. military is taking the threat posed by these types of drones very seriously and is actively exploring ways to counter them and, potentially, adopt them for its own use.
Category:
Politics