US defense chief announces new command as Pentagon accelerates drone strategy

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday announced the creation of a new four-star combatant command focused on autonomous and robotic warfare, calling it a major transformation of the US military's approach to future conflicts.

"Today at my direction, we are announcing the creation of Autonomous Warfare Command, or AutoWarCom," Hegseth said as he delivered a State of the Force address to junior officers and enlisted leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

Hegseth said the new four-star combatant command would have service-like authorities and be tasked with rapidly expanding autonomous and robotic capabilities throughout the joint force.

The secretary described the initiative as part of "the fastest peacetime shift" in modern military history, with autonomous systems and artificial intelligence increasingly shaping combat operations.

Hegseth said a four-star commander would soon be selected to lead the new command and oversee its expansion across the military.

In the meantime, he announced the appointment of two leaders to guide the project during the next year: Owen West and Navy SEAL Senior Chief Max Strasiser.

Hegseth also used the address to call for increased defense spending, arguing that the pace of weapons production and technological development requires additional congressional funding.

"We're now getting weapons faster than ever before," Hegseth said, adding that Congress must pass a $350 billion reconciliation package for US service members.