US Secretary of Defense announces creation of autonomous warfare force and 20% reduction in general officers

[Washington Current Affairs] On September 30, U.S. Secretary of Defense Hegseth announced that the United States will create a new joint force capable of autonomous combat using drones and other devices. He gave a speech at a Marine Corps base in southern Virginia.

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The newly established joint force will be called the "Autonomous Warfare Force" and is scheduled to be launched by October 1, 2027. According to the Wall Street Journal (electronic edition), the move is part of the Department of Defense's efforts to overhaul the procurement, testing, and deployment of unmanned aircraft.

Additionally, the Department of Defense will launch a project to study the ``future of warfare,'' co-led by businessman Elon Musk and others. The study aims to ensure the long-term advantage of the U.S. military, and plans to compile research results within 120 days.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hegseth announced a 20% reduction in the number of general officers in the U.S. military. He has previously claimed that it is a reallocation of personnel from the bloated headquarters organization to combat units, and he justified it by saying, ``The media calls it a purge, but it is the minimum necessary.''