US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced plans to create a new military command focused on autonomous warfare and cut the number of the country’s generals and admirals by 20%, outlining a broad restructuring of the US military.
Hegseth made the announcements during his “State of the Force” address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on September 30. The speech included plans involving drones, artificial intelligence, military leadership and future weapons development.
The proposed Autonomous Warfare Command would be led by a four-star officer and oversee the development and deployment of autonomous and robotic systems across the military. Its responsibilities are expected to include drones, artificial intelligence and command-and-control technologies.
Hegseth said the rapid evolution of warfare, particularly the growing use of drones in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, has created a need for the US military to adapt more quickly. He described the new command as part of a major shift toward combining autonomous systems with traditional military capabilities.
The announcement comes as US forces face continued drone and missile threats in the ongoing conflict with Iran. American forces have used large numbers of missile interceptors to defend against attacks, adding pressure to US weapons stockpiles and highlighting the military’s interest in less expensive autonomous systems.
Hegseth also confirmed that the Pentagon will reduce the number of generals and admirals by 20%. The plan doubles the 10% reduction he ordered last spring for roughly 800 flag and general officer positions, with the larger reduction scheduled to be completed by January 1, 2027.
Hegseth described the reduction as an accountability measure. Some lawmakers, however, have questioned the scale and potential consequences of reducing the number of senior military officers, with critics arguing that rebuilding senior leadership could take years.
The Pentagon also plans to launch a study into the future of warfare involving SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Anduril co-founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The initiative will examine future weapons and military technologies, including systems that could operate across different environments.
Among Hegseth’s other announcements was a plan to establish an Office of Religious Affairs and build a new US military base capable of hosting between 15,000 and 25,000 service members. He also outlined plans aimed at making military installations more self-sufficient in energy.
The restructuring reflects the Pentagon’s growing focus on autonomous systems and artificial intelligence while also seeking to reduce the size of its senior leadership structure. The proposals will require further implementation within the military and, for some initiatives, congressional support.
