The US Army says it aims to buy at least a million drones in the next two to three years, and to build its own supply chain to produce more in the future.
It currently acquires about 50,000 drones annually.
US Army Secretary David Driscoll says his priority is getting the United States into a position where it can produce enough drones for any future war, stimulating domestic production of everything from brushless motors and sensors to batteries and circuit boards.
Much of that manufacturing is dominated by China today.
The ramp-up comes as tiny, inexpensive drones have proven to be one of the most potent weapons in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Ukraine and Russia each produce roughly 4 million drones a year, but China is probably able to produce more than double that number, Driscoll says.
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