Hegseth announces further senior-officer cuts and new autonomous warfare command
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon had reduced generals and admirals by 10% and planned a further 10% cut by January 1. He also announced a four-star command focused on autonomous warfare and a study of future conflict, as Washington and Beijing work to strengthen military crisis-communication channels.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced plans to reduce the number of American generals and admirals by a further 10%, while unveiling new initiatives focused on autonomous warfare and future military capabilities. Speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia on Wednesday, Hegseth said the military had already cut its general and admiral ranks by 10%. He said the number of general-officer positions would be reduced by another 10%, describing the combined 20% reduction as a minimum rather than a completed programme.
Hegseth rejected criticism that the changes amounted to a purge, calling them accountability measures. The larger reduction is due to be completed by January 1 next year, according to the source material. He also announced the creation of a four-star Autonomous Warfare Command, intended to accelerate the development and deployment of drones and robotic systems across the military.
An interim programme, Project Agincourt, will operate for the next year and bring operators, engineers and private companies into shorter development cycles. The new command’s four-star leader has not yet been named. It is expected to be fully established by October 1 next year.
Hegseth also announced a 120-day study, Project Meridian, led by Elon Musk, Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey and former US House speaker Newt Gingrich, under the supervision of Pentagon technology chief Emil Michael. The announcements came as Washington and Beijing were taking steps to improve military communication. China’s foreign ministry said the two sides had agreed to conclude a memorandum on crisis communication and prevention following a September summit between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
Hegseth’s position has also faced reported pressure. The source cites reports of deteriorating relations with Republican lawmakers and previous calls for his removal, while the White House has said Trump has complete confidence in him. Hegseth has denied or criticised reporting he disliked and defended the US war in Iran.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.