The US Army has fallen behind in adopting cutting-edge drone systems compared to innovations seen in modern battlefields, particularly in eastern Ukraine. Senior generals have openly acknowledged this gap during a major defense conference in Washington last week. The Pentagon’s slow and outdated procurement process, which can take years to deliver new equipment, is ill-suited to keep pace with the rapid evolution of drone technology in warfare. Many breakthroughs emerge from the desperate need to survive in existential conflicts, as demonstrated by Ukrainian forces. While the US military recognizes the urgency, it has yet to move with the necessary speed.
Lieutenant General Charlie Costanza, commander of the US Army’s V Corps based in Poland, stated that American forces are trailing and must accelerate development. The V Corps would be the first to respond in the event of a European invasion, making the warning especially critical. US units from the Pacific to Europe have been studying drone tactics since the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and even more intensively since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Over the past year, the Army has begun equipping soldiers with drones—some built in-house—and plans to outfit every unit, from platoon to division, across specialties including infantry, communications, intelligence, and logistics.
Major General Jay Bartholomees echoed these concerns, highlighting deficiencies in long-range targeting beyond 40 kilometers. His division seeks capabilities similar to Iran’s Shahed-136 drone, widely used by Russian forces in Ukraine. These low-cost systems, priced between $20,000 and $50,000 each, can carry explosives over 2,000 kilometers—far cheaper than missiles exceeding $1 million. Such affordable drones enable asymmetric warfare, neutralizing expensive conventional assets. The Army is making progress in short- and medium-range drone integration at the tactical level but remains deficient in strategic reach.
Redesigning Tanks for Urban Combat: Drones as Essential Partners
The rise of drone warfare has also exposed vulnerabilities in traditional armored vehicles. Tanks have proven highly susceptible to drone attacks in Ukraine, prompting calls for a fundamental redesign tailored to urban environments. A city-fighting tank would require radically different priorities than a main battle tank built for open terrain. Instead of emphasizing speed and long-range firepower, designers would prioritize heavy armor and maneuverability in tight spaces. Mobility would be measured by the ability to navigate narrow streets and sharp turns, with speed sacrificed for maximum protection. Additional features would include cage armor, active protection systems, and the capacity to fire in multiple directions simultaneously, including around corners and at high or low angles.
Visibility remains a core challenge in urban combat. While 360-degree ground-level cameras—already in use on the M1 Abrams—help, they cannot replace overhead reconnaissance. Urban tanks should carry integrated drones for real-time aerial surveillance, enabling commanders to detect targets in high-rise buildings. These drones must be digitally linked to share data instantly with other vehicles and command posts, overcoming communication obstacles in dense cityscapes. Such concepts draw directly from battlefield lessons in Ukraine and aim to create layered defenses against drone threats.
Romania’s Push into Drone Development: Partnership with Ukraine
In Romania, the strategic importance of drones is gaining recognition, even as acquisitions of conventional systems like tanks continue—despite their proven vulnerabilities in Ukraine. Some experts argue that even in 2025, warfare cannot be waged without tanks, but modern conflicts, especially in urban areas, demand entirely new design philosophies. Meanwhile, the Romanian Armed Forces are prioritizing drone capabilities. Plans are underway for domestic production or joint development with Ukraine to create defensive and intercept systems.
Defense Minister Ionu? Mo?teanu recently emphasized the breakneck pace of drone technology evolution, noting that stockpiling quickly becomes obsolete. The focus must shift to software, command systems, and control infrastructure rather than just aerodynamics or propulsion. Romania aims to establish itself as a regional leader in this field, leveraging national research institutes. A partnership with Kyiv, launched in August 2025, seeks to establish a production line in Romania under the EU’s SAFE program. The initiative draws on Ukraine’s combat experience to build air defense and counter-drone systems. Mo?teanu envisions Romania becoming a drone manufacturing hub, attracting investment, technology transfer, and jobs.
The Romanian military already operates Bayraktar drones and is developing local prototypes for both military and civilian applications, including agriculture. Serial production could begin as early as 2027, following assessments of four Ukrainian factories. This effort aligns with broader NATO initiatives, such as the “Drone Wall” along the eastern flank to counter Russian threats. The ongoing debate centers on balance: drones are transformative, but they must complement—not replace—a well-rounded defense posture.
These developments reflect a global shift: drone warfare is forcing militaries to innovate beyond traditional procurement cycles. For NATO allies like the United States and Romania, the eastern front is a proving ground where technological agility could determine the difference between falling behind and leading the future of defense.
Verified Sources:
- https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-10-24/army-drone-warfare-ukraine-15678901.html
- https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2025/10/army-must-move-faster-drones-generals-say/400987/
- https://www.army.mil/article/280345/v_corps_commander_urges_faster_adoption_of_drone_technology
- https://www.defensenews.com/land/2025/10/25/us-army-seeks-shahed-like-drones-for-long-range-strikes/
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2025/romania-and-ukraine-to-co-produce-drones-under-eu-safe-program
- https://www.hotnews.ro/stiri-aparare-27102025-ministrul-apararii-discuta-despre-drone-evolutia-tehnologica-foarte-rapida
- https://www.defenseromania.ro/romania-drone-production-partnership-ukraine_626001.html
- https://www.army-technology.com/features/urban-tank-design-drone-integration-ukraine-lessons/
- https://www.usarmy.mil/doctrine/urban-combat-vehicle-concepts-2025
- https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news_230145.htm (Drone Wall initiative)
