The Pentagon has sent military personnel to Ukraine to study the use of drones – Hegset
Pete Hagseth made this remark during a hearing before a US Senate committee.
Mitch McConnell, Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Armed Services, described Ukraine as the ‘Silicon Valley of war’ and asked whether the Secretary of Defence supported trips by US officials to Ukraine to study combat experience.
In response, Hegset stated that he had personally approved the deployment of additional personnel.
“In fact, I personally approved the deployment of additional personnel there to learn about drone warfare on the battlefield, both in attack and defence, to ensure that we learn all possible lessons from this conflict and incorporate them in real time into how we defend ourselves and go on the offensive in the era of drone dominance,” said the US Secretary of Defence.
He also confirmed that many senior US military officials had already visited Ukraine.
“We have learnt a great deal,” Hegset noted.
The US Defence Secretary emphasised that the US must implement the lessons learned in Ukraine and on other battlefields as quickly as possible across all branches of its armed forces.
Commenting on the support for Ukraine from allies, Hegset singled out the role of European countries.
“I find it very encouraging that European countries have done everything possible to ensure Ukraine can defend itself. In my view, this is a very positive step,” he said.
