Stephen Silver
U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Ian Wojick, assigned to 552nd Military Police Company, 25th Infantry, aims a DroneBuster, an anti-drone weapon, toward the sky during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center Exportable (JPMRC-X) exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, June 1, 2025.
This iteration of the JPMRC-X marks the second Combat Training Center (CTC) rotation conducted in the Philippines. As part of the Army’s premier regional CTC, JPMRC-X enables the U.S. Army, joint force, allies, and partners to develop skills in realistic environments and conditions. Through exportable capabilities, JPMRC-X strengthens war-fighting readiness, enhances multilateral relationships, and contributes to regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Keith Thornburgh)
-The U.S., meanwhile, risks trailing in low-cost, expendable attack drones.
-A Trump executive order and a Pentagon memo vow to “unleash” American drone dominance, but critics argue the pace and scale fall short.
-The near-term answer isn’t exquisite tech—it’s cloning simple, long-range, one-way drones by the tens of thousands, arming units fast, and training to fight with swarms—not just admire them.
Where’s the American Shahed Drone?
The Shahed drone has become a key weapon in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
According to an IISS report back in April, Russia has “doubled down” on the use of the drones, by “launching ever-increasing numbers, expanding production capabilities and refining tactics.”
That report, which cited Ukrainian Air Force figures, found that the number of drones launched by Russia had been increasing month-to-month, from late 2024 to early 2025. In fact, Russia has sent 34,000 drones and decoys into Ukraine so far this year, nine times the number in the equivalent amount of time in the previous year.
Swarming the Skies
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