The U.S. Marines want to increase their arsenal of weapons for a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific. Kamikaze drones are particularly interesting for this.
Washington D.C. – In the Ukraine war, both Russia and Ukraine are repeatedly resorting to so-called kamikaze drones. This refers to small, unmanned aerial vehicles that are equipped with an explosive device. In some cases, they can circle over their target for hours and then destroy it at the right moment. The U.S. Marines also want to rely on the new types of weapons in the future. This was announced by Commander General David Berger.
"As demonstrated in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and currently in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, kamikaze drones routinely defeat tanks and combat positions with attacks from above. In order to succeed in future conflicts, the U.S. Navy must find ways to operate in contested areas in a cost-effective manner while endangering the adversary," the general said in a plan.
The U.S. Marines want to rely on so-called "loitering ammunition" in the future. This refers to drones that are equipped with explosive devices and can precisely eliminate the enemy. (Symbolic image) © ChiangYing-ying
U.S. Marines want to rely on kamikaze drones in the future: Flexibility is crucial
As Task & Purpose, a news magazine from the USA, reports, the kamikaze drones are supposed to act primarily in swarms. For example, it is possible to overcome even complex air defense systems and thus significantly weaken the enemy. The flexibility of modern guided missiles is another reason for Berger to purchase them for the U.S. Marines. Not only conventional fighter jets such as the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter can use the drones, but also cargo and transport aircraft such as the MV-22 Opsrey.
Especially for protracted conflicts in the Indo-Pacific, the kamikaze drones are perfect. Thus, they far exceed the range of eight kilometers of the AGM-114 Hellfire missile, which is currently used for the most part by the US Marines. Brigadier General Stephen Lightfoot is also enthusiastic about the guided missiles and hopes to acquire them: "The drones allow us to use current platforms to do things we never thought we would be able to do." (Jakob von Sass)
