Pete Hegseth to cut generals & admirals in US military by 20%; Pentagon to create new drone command

Pete Hegseth, Defence Secretary, US. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced plans to cut the number of generals and admirals in the US military by 20 per cent, while unveiling a new four-star command focused on autonomous and robotic warfare.According to news agency AP, Hegseth made the announcements during his “State of the Force” address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Wednesday. He said the military services would double a 10% reduction ordered last spring for roughly 800 flag and general officer positions, bringing the total planned reduction to 20% by January 1, 2027.“I call it accountability and long overdue,” Hegseth said while announcing the cuts.The Pentagon chief also announced plans to create a new four-star command to oversee the development and deployment of autonomous and robotic military capabilities. He described the move as part of what he called the “fastest peacetime shift in modern military history.”Hegseth said the US military needed to adapt to the changing nature of warfare, pointing to the growing use of drones on battlefields, including in Ukraine and the ongoing conflict with Iran.“Ukraine’s lesson is not that one type of drone wins w...