The key facts

  • The Pentagon reported the delivery of more than 25,000 unmanned systems to CENTCOM in 2026 with an investment of $782 million
  • The deliveries included over 1,300 one-way attack drones, more than 100 maritime and underwater vessels, and over 24,000 counter-drone systems
  • The Pentagon said it plans to continue deliveries to CENTCOM and expand deployment in the Indo-Pacific region and Europe

Massive delivery of drones and counter-drone systems

The Pentagon said on Wednesday that this year it has delivered more than 25,000 unmanned systems and counter-drone assets to US Central Command (CENTCOM); the program was carried out following an investment of $782 million. Anadolu reported this, citing the American defense department.

Composition of the deliveries

According to Anadolu, the 'massive wave' of deliveries includes more than 1,300 one-way attack drones, over 100 uncrewed surface and underwater vessels, as well as more than 24,000 counter-drone systems designed to protect American troops from enemy drones. The deliveries were carried out through the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems (DRPM-UxS), while counter-drone operations were supported by Joint Interagency Task Force 401.

A bet on 'affordable mass' and autonomous systems

The Pentagon said the initiative reflects a shift toward faster weapons procurement and mass production of low-cost unmanned systems: commanders gain additional operational capabilities, while dependence on expensive traditional weapons decreases. 'At the direction of Secretary (Pete) Hegseth, we are moving at the speed of modern combat, equipping our forces with decisive, affordable mass,' Anadolu quoted Owen West, head of Project Agincourt and DRPM-UxS, as saying.

Plans to create AUTOWARCOM and expand deployment

The program is also linked to plans to establish an Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM) — a proposed four-star combatant command which, according to the Pentagon, is to become operational by October 1, 2027. The department said it will continue deliveries to CENTCOM while simultaneously expanding the deployment of unmanned and autonomous systems for US forces in the Indo-Pacific region, Europe, and across the Army. For now, this is the Pentagon's own statement of intent; no independent confirmation of the timeline is available in published sources.