Former Joint Chiefs Chairman Predicts One-Third of US Military will be Replaced with Robots in the Next 10-15 Years
The 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has predicted that robots and other smart machinery could end up replacing up to one-third of the United States Armed Forces within the next 10 to 15 years.
For years, militaries have been experimenting with various robotic and AI technologies, such as armed drones, robotic dogs and mechanical mules. And now, with advancements in the defense industry, these technologies are now becoming more viable.
During Axios‘ Future of Defense event on July 11, retired Army Gen. Mark Milley noted that the number of human troops is likely to decrease as unmanned and artificial intelligence-driven tools become more prevalent in warfare tactics.
“Ten to fifteen years from now, my guess is a third – maybe 25 percent to a third of the U.S. military will be robotic,” said Milley.
The U.S. Army is currently exploring human-machine integrated formations, where soldiers operate alongside robots. Meanwhile, the Air Force is developing “collaborative combat” aircraftthat can fly with human pilots to gather intelligence, disrupt enemy electronics, and engage targets. These advanced aircraft aim to gather intelligence, disrupt enemy electronics and execute precision strikes on targets.
“Your two big ones that are emerging very rapidly are the introduction of robots and the enormous power of quantum computing and AI. These changes mark some of the biggest shifts in the character of war,” Milley stated.
Moreover, the Navy is moving toward the creation of a so-called “hybrid fleet,” as it incorporates more unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its compliment of vessels.
Use of military AI technology raises ethical concerns
Despite the promising advancements, the increasing use of autonomous systems in warfare raises concerns about the potential for “killer robots.”
In line with this, U.S. policy mandates that a human must be responsible for making the final decision to use lethal force. Robotics serve broader purposes, such as transporting supplies over long distances or evacuating injured fighters from the battlefield, but Milley still believes that it is crucial to keep humans involved in the decision-making process for weapons deployment.
“I lean toward humans in the loop. But I think this is going to be something that people are going to have to come to grips with here in the next decade or so,” Milley said.
Milley then concluded that the country that optimizes these technologies for military use could gain a significant – and potentially decisive – advantage in armed conflicts. “The country that optimizes those technologies for military use is going to have a very significant – and potentially decisive – advantage in an armed conflict,” Milley said.
But this transformation could also have ethical implications. Milley said the society will need to address these ethical considerations in the coming decade.
Follow WeaponsTechnology.news for more stories about AI technology used by military forces.
Watch the video below that shows Ukrainian autonomous so-called “terminator drones” targeting and striking a group of Russian infantry.
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Germany Cuts Aid to Ukraine in Half in 2025 Budget
Germany is to halve its military aid to Ukraine next year, according to a 2025 draft budget seen by Reuters. According to the report, Germany had allocated €8 billion for Ukraine in 2024, but this will be reduced to €4 billion next year.
The federal republic is confident that Ukraine will be able to cover most of its military needs with a $50 billion loan from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets and that the funds for armaments will not be fully used.
Washington is pushing for the loans to be granted “front-loaded” and for Ukraine to receive a large lump sum now.
According to officials, EU leaders agreed to the idea partly to avoid Ukraine running into financial disaster when U.S. President Donald Trump returns to the White House. A potential Trump administration is seen as likely cutting funds to Ukraine, with Trump promising to end the war early in his term.
Reuters also reports that concerns have been raised across Europe this week after the Republican presidential candidate nominated Senator J.D. Vance as his vice president. The Ohio senator has explicitly criticized military aid to Ukraine and warned that Europe should rely less on the United States to defend the continent.
Justice Department Attorney: Biden Admin Delaying Ban on Menthol Cigarettes for Political Reasons
The Biden administration is deliberately delaying its plan to prohibit menthol cigarettes for fears of a political backlash from Black voters, according to an attorney with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Menthol cigarettes have been in the crosshairs of anti-smoking groups for decades. They argue that menthol cigarettes contribute to disproportionate health burdens on Black communities and play a role in luring young people into smoking.
But a shocking undercover video released by Project Veritas – this time without its founder James O’Keefe – revealed that the Biden White House is deliberately stalling the enforcement of a menthol cigarette ban. In the clip, DOJ attorney Isaac Belfer revealed that the decision to delay the ban is driven by political concerns.
“There are some concerns that you might not want to do something, like criminalize a product that’s used by tons of Black people – especially before an election,” Belfer told the undercover reporter. The DOJ attorney acknowledged that “many thousands of Black people die every year because of menthol cigarettes,” yet the ban is being slow-walked by the White House.
“[President Joe] Biden doesn’t want to pass this regulation because he’s worried he will lose Black voters. Biden used Black people. So we’re being sued, saying, ‘You should pass this regulation now with no excuse to hold it up because your people are dying.’”
He also noted the strong public health reasons for prohibiting menthol cigarettes, emphasizing that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supports the regulation. However, the broader White House, which reviews all regulations, is stalling the process.
Continued delay in the ban causing harm to Black voters
“The undercover video sheds light on the administration’s strategy, revealing that while the effort to ban menthol cigarettes has been ongoing for over a decade, its implementation is being deliberately delayed,” YourNews pointed out.
“The video has sparked outrage and raised questions about the administration’s commitment to public health and the integrity of its regulatory decisions. Critics argue that prioritizing political gains over the health and well-being of citizens is unacceptable, particularly when the stakes involve lives lost to preventable causes.”
Menthol cigarettes account for a third of the industry’s overall market share in the United States. But these highly addictive products have been criticized for their appeal to young smokers, as well as significant health impacts for Black communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 81 percent of Black adults who smoke cigarettes are using menthol varieties, compared with 34 percent of White adults.
Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement that the proposed ban had brought immense feedback, including from parts of the civil rights and criminal justice movement. “It’s clear that there are still more conversations to have, and that will take significantly more time,” he said. Based on his statement, Becerra appeared to suggest it would not be sorted before the presidential election in November.
Derrick Johnson, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said his organization was outraged and disgusted by the political move. “In an election year, politicians should be prioritizing people, not profiteers. Today’s news from the Biden administration is a blow to the Black people, who continue to be unfairly targeted and unjustly killed by Big Tobacco,” he said.
Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, also expressed dismay over the delay. “Two full years after releasing proposed rules backed by extensive scientific evidence – and more than a decade since the FDA began examining menthol cigarettes – the administration has failed to take decisive action to remove these deadly, addictive products from the market.”