In Reply to: Thanks for the report. posted by SagoBob on February 22, 2026 at 13:08:46
Even if Hegseth isn't looking at drones, US vendors are.
80% of the Russian KIA were by drones. At the start of the war 70% were by artillery.
Talking to a military analyst 2+ years ago from a military vendor, they were sending people to Ukraine to see how they quickly adapt inexpensive drones rather than following the US procurement process of expensive long turn around "perfect" weapons.
Ukraine has brought their drone technology to the EU also so they can build them at scale without the fear of getting hit.
There have been rumors of a volunteer US/Dutch F-16 squadron but it has been confirmed. Previously the rumors were that they were on drone defense but now it looks like they are on escort duty also for Ukrainian's going on bombing runs.
The NATO trained pilots have extensive experience in the Middle East and have bolstered the training of the less experienced Ukrainian pilots.
There is training going on, on both sides.
This also includes Russia where North Koreans and Chinese are sending fighters/officers to learn how to survive in a drone/artillery environment. It doesn't look like the Iranians care to take the field.