The U.S. Department of Defense is intensifying its efforts to maintain a strategic edge in modern warfare, driven by rapid advancements in drone technology and artificial intelligence (AI) on the battlefield. In an exclusive interview on “The Will Cain Show” at the Pentagon on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, formerly a co-host of “Fox & Friends Weekend,” outlined the Trump administration’s approach to countering global competitors, with a particular focus on China’s growing military capabilities in an arms race that also involves adversaries such as Russia and Iran.
Confronting China’s Military Ambitions
“We concede nothing to the communist Chinese. We’re creating dilemmas for them at every level,” Hegseth declared, signaling a proactive strategy to challenge China’s expanding influence.
The Pentagon is shifting its focus toward the Indo-Pacific, where China’s military advancements are accelerating. Hegseth’s first overseas trip as Defense Secretary—to Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and Japan—highlights this strategic pivot, even as the U.S. continues to support ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. China’s progress in drone technology, including reports of a new drone-carrying mothership capable of deploying up to 100 smaller drones at once, has raised alarms about its dominance in this critical domain.
The Threat of Chinese Drone Dominance
Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, pointed to the risks posed by DJI, a Chinese technology company that leads the global drone market. Controlling over 70% of the worldwide market share, DJI has a significant presence in both U.S. and Asian markets.
“That’s alarming, because DJI drones are essentially data collectors for Beijing — giving China potential access to sensitive infrastructure imagery, flight patterns, and more. It’s not just a market-share problem — it’s a national security threat,” Singleton told Fox News Digital.
Building a Stronger U.S. Military
Hegseth emphasized the Pentagon’s commitment to understanding China’s capabilities and intentions, with a focus on building a U.S. military capable of deterring potential conflicts. “We don’t want that conflict. You showed how big they are,” he told host Will Cain, referencing a graphic comparing U.S. and Chinese military assets, including active personnel, warships, and nuclear weapons.
“President Trump has a great relationship with Xi Jinping — we think that’s a good thing. And we stared them down on trade — we think that’s a good thing. Rebalancing that dynamic is important.”
“We’re the ones in the background trying to say we would always prefer to resolve this peacefully. But we’re gonna do that by being as strong as possible to meet their threat at every turn.”
Adapting to the Future of Warfare
The U.S. is also embracing the evolving landscape of warfare. Earlier this year, the United States Marine Corps put together an attack drone team at the Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico, Virginia, to leverage the potential of first-person view (FPV) drone technology.
These drones, capable of delivering squad-level lethality at ranges up to 20 kilometers (almost 12.5 miles) for under $5,000, provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional, more expensive weapons systems. This initiative highlights the transformative role of drones and AI in reshaping modern battlefields and preparing for future combat scenarios.
The Fairview Gazette will keep you updated on any news coming out of the Pentagon.
