Pentagon's Acquisition Chief Identifies Urgent Counter-Drone Crisis Amid Global Conflicts

The Pentagon's Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Bill LaPlante, has emphasized the urgent need for counter-drone technology, comparing it to the demand for 155mm artillery shells in conflict zones like Ukraine and Gaza. The Defense Department is pushing for advanced capabilities in response to the increasing use of drones against U.S. forces. LaPlante highlighted the importance of ramping up production capacity and funding for counter-UAS systems, stating that the industrial base must be able to produce them at high numbers. However, the Pentagon has yet to determine the exact quantity required, and the lack of a full-year appropriation passed by Congress may hinder production increases.