The Pentagon said Wednesday that it delivered more than 25,000 unmanned systems and defense capabilities in 2026 to the U.S. military’s Central Command in Asia after a $782 million strategic investment.

The equipment included more than 1,300 one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles, more than 100 unmanned surface and subsurface vessels, and more than 24,000 counter-drone systems designed to neutralize attacks promptly.

Implementation was carried out through the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS). Counter-drone operations had operational support from Joint Interagency Task Force 401, ensuring comprehensive tactical coordination in the field.

The U.S. Department of War highlighted that the initiative reflects a profound shift in weapons procurement policy. The strategy bets on mass production of affordable unmanned systems and faster supply, giving commanders key operational advantages without relying exclusively on costly traditional weapons.

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Owen West, executive director of the Agincourt Project and DRPM-UxS, emphasized the urgency of the process. The initiative supports plans to establish the Autonomous Warfighting Command (Autowarcom), a proposed four-star combatant command expected to become operational on October 1, 2027.

The Pentagon confirmed that deliveries to Centcom will continue in the short term and that it is preparing the ground to expand deployment of unmanned and autonomous systems to U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, Europe and across the global Joint Force.

The U.S. war against Iran has cost U.S. taxpayers $47.1 billion, according to the latest Pentagon figures delivered to Congress, as the economic fallout threatens Republicans just days before the midterm elections.

The conflict, launched unilaterally by Washington and Israel in… pic.twitter.com/EmqcfVloPC

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