Billionaires associated with the president-elect are advocating for military drones that possess the capability to perform a wide range of functions.
A group of influential billionaires and key supporters of President-elect Donald Trump are openly advocating for a shift away from traditional crewed military systems like aircraft and tanks in favor of drones, arguing that unmanned technologies are more efficient and cost-effective.
Prominent tech investors, many of whom backed Trump’s campaign and have his ear, are signaling a potential overhaul at the Pentagon. They suggest that costly crewed weapons programs could be replaced by pilotless planes and autonomous vehicles.
Among these voices is Elon Musk, the world’s wealthiest individual and co-leader of a Trump advisory group focused on cutting government spending. Musk has been vocal on social media, asserting that "manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones" and criticizing ongoing investments in platforms like the F-35.
Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, another prominent Trump donor and a key advocate for emerging defense technologies, echoed Musk’s sentiments. On a recent podcast, he emphasized that “the country that wins the drone war and the technology war underneath that is going to have the best military.” Andreessen cited a conversation with a former special forces officer who claimed that a small group equipped with drones could achieve remarkable military results, thanks to advancements like swarm capabilities.
This push for drone adoption is not limited to rhetoric. Trump has nominated and considered several key individuals with ties to the tech and defense sectors for top government positions. John Phelan, a Trump donor with no naval experience, is slated to lead the Navy. Meanwhile, Trae Stephens, co-founder of defense startup Anduril Industries, and billionaire investor Stephen Feinberg, whose firm has stakes in defense companies, are reportedly in the running for senior Pentagon roles.
The potential for drones to dominate the battlefield has stirred debates within the defense community. Byron Callan, a defense industry analyst, noted that Musk’s comments briefly impacted Lockheed Martin’s stock prices. Callan added that while drones are critical, a balanced mix of crewed and uncrewed systems is essential.
On the defensive side, Andreessen highlighted the high costs of countering small drones, as demonstrated by the U.S. Navy’s recent operations in the Red Sea. He warned that while a single drone can be countered with a multimillion-dollar missile, a swarm of thousands poses an overwhelming challenge.
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who chaired the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Board during Trump’s first term, has gone further, questioning the relevance of tanks in modern warfare. Speaking at a Saudi Arabian conference, Schmidt argued that the Army should replace its vast stockpiles of tanks with AI-powered drones. Schmidt’s startup, White Stork, is working on developing such technologies.
Critics worry that this investor-driven approach to defense policy could prioritize technologies with profit potential over platforms proven effective in warfare. One defense industry adviser, speaking anonymously, cautioned that this shift might neglect critical systems necessary for real-world combat.
The debate has drawn skepticism from military leaders. Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, recently warned against overreliance on uncrewed systems, particularly in vast operational theaters like the Pacific.
He argued that drones alone cannot replace traditional capabilities in maintaining air and maritime superiority. With a mix of sarcasm and concern, Paparo pointed out China’s significant military assets, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy: “We’ve got some drones? Well, [China’s] got 2,100 fighters, three aircraft carriers, and 200 destroyers.”
As the incoming administration weighs these ideas, the balance between innovation and traditional military strength remains a contentious issue.
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