US launches multinational attack drone task force. Will Gulf allies join amid war?

The US is taking its drone warfare in the Middle East to a new level, bringing together attack systems that can strike from the air, sea and below the water. US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday announced Task Force Falcon Strike, the first-ever multinational, multi-domain attack drone task force amid mounting pressure from the war with Iran.

The war has also taken a heavy toll on US unmanned systems during the conflict. At least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones have been lost, according to The Washington Post, leaving the US with roughly one-fourth fewer Reapers than it had before the war. The losses have added pressure on an already strained US drone fleet.

WHAT IS TASK FORCE FALCON STRIKE?

CENTCOM said Falcon Strike will use one-way attack drones operated by US forces and regional partners. The task force will bring together unmanned systems operating above, on and below the sea.

According to the US military, it has begun consulting regional partners and will formally invite them to join the initiative. However, the US has not openly named the countries expected to participate. Its regional allies in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar, have not confirmed their involvement in the task force.

As more countries participate, the task force is expected to expand attack drone capabilities across the Middle East.

"Task Force Falcon Strike will expand on Scorpion Strike's success given the tremendous innovation happening among our regional allies and partners," said Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.

Falcon Strike follows the creation of Task Force Scorpion Strike, which CENTCOM established nine months ago as the US military's first dedicated one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East.

Scorpion Strike achieved several operational milestones, including the first launch of an aerial attack drone from a US Navy warship in December, said the US military. The unit also used one-way unmanned aerial systems during Operation Epic Fury and employed unmanned attack vessels during strikes on Iranian port facilities in July.

Personnel from US Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), which launched Scorpion Strike, will lead the new task force.

US DRONE FLEET UNDER PRESSURE

American drones have faced intense pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to expand its unmanned warfare capabilities. According to The Washington Post, the US military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the Iran war, roughly one-fourth of its fleet.

The losses have raised concerns over the ability to replenish US drone stocks.

The Pentagon has also been moving towards cheaper armed surveillance drones that can operate in swarms.

The Trump administration is asking Congress for a $67 billion funding package to cover the costs of the Iran war and replenish depleted military supplies. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned senators in July that the Pentagon could be forced to scale back military training if it does not receive additional funding.

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