WSJ: US military’s drone defence lags behind emerging global threats

The recent Ukrainian drone strike that damaged as many as 40 Russian aircraft on military bases has sent a stark warning to the United States about its own homeland vulnerabilities. The daring operation, which targeted strategic bombers lined up on Russian airfields, demonstrates how inexpensive drones can inflict significant damage on costly military assets—raising urgent questions about US preparedness.

Though details remain limited, Kyiv’s ability to penetrate deep into Russian territory using relatively cheap drones underscores a critical risk: “Could those have been B-2s at the hands of Iranian drones flying out of containers, let alone Chinese?” military analyst Fred Kagan asked this week, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The US strategic bomber fleet is now much smaller than during the Cold War, concentrated at a few key bases, making it potentially susceptible to similar attacks. Social media has circulated aerial images of B-52 bombers lined up at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, illustrating this vulnerability. Similar risks apply to other valuable assets like fighters and aircraft carriers.

This threat highlights the need for a comprehensive defence system beyond the focus on ballistic missiles. President Trump’s planned Golden Dome missile-defence shield—sometimes dismissed in the media—addresses a broader spectrum of threats. The US is vulnerable not only to ballistic missiles but also to drones, spy blimps, and cruise missiles launched from submarines. The bipartisan Strategic Posture Commission warned in 2023 that the country must bolster integrated air and missile defences against “coercive attacks” from rivals such as Russia and China. In a potential crisis, Chinese leader Xi Jinping might warn the US to stay out of the Western Pacific or risk losing expensive assets like F-22 fighters stationed in Alaska.

The United States could benefit from a layered missile shield that combines cutting-edge technology with existing systems like the Patriot missile. Israel’s recent success in using lasers to shoot down drones exemplifies how innovative nations can adapt to emerging threats. President Trump deserves credit for making missile defence a priority.

However, the US has lost some of the “muscle memory” from the Cold War era on maintaining robust homeland defence. A report from the Hudson Institute’s Thomas Shugart and Timothy Walton highlights the vulnerability of US airfields, especially in the Western Pacific. Regarding the new B-21 bomber, they warn against relying on minimal sheltering, writing that “Not building approximately $30 million” hardened shelters for these aircraft “is an unwise decision that could endanger the US’ ability to strike globally.”

Defence spending, currently about 3 per cent of the US economy, falls short of what is needed to address these risks fully. Although Congress has allocated $25 billion for the Golden Dome system, the establishment of a national air defence will require ongoing investment. Political leaders, concerned about fiscal constraints, have so far avoided a sustained defence buildup.

Americans are used to wars fought overseas by volunteers, but experts warn that “everyone in the US will be on the front lines of the next conflict.” Instead of boasting that the US military is the best it has ever been, leaders should educate the public on its vulnerabilities. Ukraine’s strike did the US a favor—not only by damaging an adversary’s bombers but also by sounding a wake-up call about American complacency.

By Vafa Guliyeva