by Sarah Roderick-Fitch
A group of lawmakers, including two Virginia congressmen, are calling on the U.S. Department of Defense to send more “American-made” drones to be deployed on the Ukrainian battlefield.
In a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Virginia Republican Reps. Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans along with nine other lawmakers say “most drones being used in Ukraine’s fight” against Russia are being made by a “single Chinese company.”
The letter was prompted by consideration from the Defense Department to deliver additional aid to Ukraine as part of $13.8 billion Ukraine Supplemental funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
The lawmakers are urging inclusion of “the delivery of small, American-made drones.” They say the drones are “essential for tactical success” and play an important role in the country’s war against Russia – using several thousand a month.
“These systems are the primary method for identifying targets, directing artillery fire, surveilling enemy positions, and enabling battlefield maneuvers and force protection,” the representatives wrote. “On the front lines, Ukraine consumes around 10,000 of these small drones per month, most of which are made by a single Chinese company.”
“Without these drones, Ukrainian forces cannot conduct effective battlefield operations and must rely on insecure drones from China that are increasingly difficult to procure,” the lawmakers wrote.
The representatives contend that using American-made drones in Ukraine would allow the U.S. “to build systems superior to Chinese drones and develop capabilities” needed for defense and “winning future near-peer conflicts.”
The lawmakers say that without the drones, Ukraine can’t “direct battlefield fires,” and pinpoint enemy positions while protecting their troops.
They say American-made drones would ultimately benefit the U.S. by “enabling rapid iteration and improvement in the world’s most demanding battlefield conditions.”
The congressmen added that delivering the drones and “displacing Chinese drones” would be a “geopolitical victory” for the U.S.
“Drone exports are an increasingly important tool for influence abroad; replacing Chinese systems in Ukraine will further erode Chinese influence and control of this critical global industry,” the representatives argue in their letter.
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Sarah Roderick-Fitch is a Regional Editor at The Center Square.
Photo “Rep. Rob Wittman” by Rob Wittman. Photo “Rep. Jen Kiggans” by Jen Kiggans for Congress. Background Photo “Drone” by Darrel Und.
