# US weighs $50 billion push for autonomous weapons as military rebuild takes priority

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/business/32015
Published: 2026-10-15T05:52:29.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-15T05:52:29.000Z
Section: Business

> The US is considering about $50 billion for autonomous and robotic systems, aiming to scale drone production from 1,000 units to as many as 1 million.

The United States is considering a major investment in autonomous and robotic weapons that could support drone production at a scale of up to 1 million units. Advances in AI, space and robotics mean investments made now could shape the military balance for decades.

In an Oct. 14 interview with Forbes Breaking News, U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said a one-time, generational investment was critical to rebuilding the military and carrying out President Donald Trump’s priorities.

Hegseth pointed to years of deferred maintenance and chronic underfunding. He said personnel costs associated with bureaucracy and spending on expensive systems had squeezed operations and maintenance budgets, leaving limited room for new technologies, investments and market entrants.

He said the United States faces a near-peer adversary engaged in what could be the largest military buildup in history. Countries leading in autonomy, robotics, space and AI will pull further ahead, he said, while those behind risk falling even further back.

A reconciliation bill could include about $50 billion for autonomous and robotic systems. Hegseth estimated the Biden administration invested no more than $200 million in the area, compared with an initial increase to $1.2 billion and the proposed expansion to $50 billion.

The funding could help scale drone production from 1,000 units to 100,000 and eventually 1 million. Hegseth said that scale could change the battlefield cost structure and force adversaries to develop defenses against U.S. capabilities, adding that such changes are already visible in some areas.

The department plans to pursue a reconciliation package of at least $350 billion and potentially more. Hegseth said it would work quickly with the White House and congressional committees regardless of the midterm election outcome, calling the effort its top priority.

Hegseth said the effects of investments made now would extend across the joint force for decades, rather than years. The ultimate goal is to reestablish deterrence worldwide and rebuild the U.S. military for modern warfare.