U.S. to Launch Multinational Attack Drone Task Force in Middle East to Ease Weapon Shortage Concerns

The U.S. military is establishing its first-ever multinational attack drone task force to integratedly operate air, maritime, and underwater attack drone capabilities for the U.S. and its regional partner nations in the Middle East.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East, announced in a press release on the 13th (local time) that it has begun work to create "Task Force Falcon Strike," a multi-domain and multinational attack drone unit.

Task Force Falcon Strike will integratedly operate one-way attack drones consisting of unmanned aerial, surface, and underwater systems operated by U.S. and regional partner forces.

To this end, CENTCOM has initiated discussions and official invitation procedures with regional partner countries for their participation in the task force.

The vision is to expand attack drone capabilities across the Middle East once regional nations officially join, developing them into an integrated multi-domain and multinational deterrence.

CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said, "Task Force Falcon Strike builds upon the tremendous innovation taking place among regional allies and partners to scale the success of Task Force Scorpion Strike," adding, "When we integrate new capabilities and deploy together, we are collectively stronger."

Task Force Scorpion Strike was established last December as the U.S. military's first dedicated one-way attack drone unit in the Middle East.

Task Force Scorpion Strike first launched aerial attack drones from a U.S. Navy vessel last December and deployed attack drones during military operations against Iran.

CENTCOM explained that unmanned surface attack vessels were also utilized when striking Iranian port facilities last July.

Task Force Falcon Strike is set to be led by personnel from U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), who launched Task Force Scorpion Strike, guiding members from the U.S. and partner nations.

U.S. military defense media outlet The War Zone noted that the launch of this task force comes amid growing concerns over a shortage of high-performance long-range strike weapon stockpiles.

The outlet analyzed that one-way attack drones can play a role in easing the consumption burden on these high-performance long-range strike weapons.

Concerns have been raised regarding the U.S. military's critical weapon stockpiles and combat sustainability after it used large quantities of expensive missiles and other munitions through conflicts such as operations involving Iran.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.