In response to the escalating development of armed first-person view drones and related tactics, the U.S. Marine Corps established an attack drone team earlier this year, signaling a shift in modern warfare strategies.

The Marine Corps Attack Drone Team (MCADT) will operate from the Weapons Training Battalion at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.

The FPV drones utilized are expected to provide squad-level effectiveness at a range of up to 20 kilometers (approximately 12.5 miles) for under $5,000, offering a cost-effective alternative to more expensive, less capable weapons systems, according to the service.

Maj. Alejandro Tavizon, headquarters company commander at Weapons Training Battalion and officer in charge of MCADT, stated, “MCADT is dedicated to quickly integrating armed first-person view drones into the FMF, improving small-unit lethality and delivering organic capabilities currently lacking for warfighters.”

He further added, “By utilizing new technologies and refining drone deployment strategies, we are ensuring Marines remain adaptable, flexible, and lethal on the modern battlefield.”

Army veteran Brett Velicovich, who has extensive drone experience, told Digital that the creation of MCADT is overdue given the United States’ entry into a drone arms race with China and Iran.

“We’ve lacked the necessary technology and expertise in affordable, scalable, lethal drone technology, which will be crucial in future conflicts,” he stated.

Velicovich claimed that the United States lags behind other nations, particularly China, in drone technology and must view drones as more than just surveillance tools, but also as a form of ammunition.

He cited the conflict in Ukraine, where significant advancements in domestic drone production have enabled Ukrainian forces to use inexpensive drones to strike enemy tanks and vehicles worth millions of dollars.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov reported that Ukraine produced over 1.5 million FPV drones in 2024, encompassing reconnaissance, kamikaze, and long-range strike drones. Domestically produced drones represented 96.2% of all unmanned aerial vehicles used by Ukrainian forces during the year.

“Ukrainian companies and manufacturing plants are producing 100,000 drones per month. That is the scale we need to achieve,” Velicovich told Digital.

The WSJ, referencing a Department of Defense estimate, reported that the U.S. aims to produce up to 100,000 drones annually.

This number is significantly lower than the production capabilities of U.S. adversaries like China, raising concerns about national security.

During a Military-Industrial Commission meeting in late April, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that nearly all of the country’s defense companies fulfilled their orders last year, emphasizing Moscow’s efforts to increase its military production.

According to a statement released by the Kremlin, Putin said, “Over 1.5 million drones of various types were delivered, including approximately 4,000 FPV drones with virtual reality control systems supplied to the frontlines daily. I am aware, as many of you are, that these weapons are still insufficient. We need more.”

Chinese technology firm DJI is also making substantial progress in drone manufacturing, both in the U.S. and Asian markets. The company is recognized as the world’s leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial drones.

Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Digital that DJI, based in Shenzhen, dominates the global drone market with over 70% of the worldwide market share.

“This is concerning because DJI drones are essentially trojan horses — potentially providing China with access to sensitive infrastructure imagery, flight patterns, and more. It’s not just a market-share problem; it’s a national security threat,” he said.

Singleton added that the U.S. does not need to match China drone for drone, but it requires a sustainable production capacity of at least 250,000 drones per year.

“We are undeniably in a drone arms race with China, and failure is not an option. Success hinges on increasing production, securing sensitive supply chains, and accelerating innovation,” he said. “It’s not just about building drones; it’s about deploying smarter, cheaper, and more resilient swarms faster than Beijing.”

The U.S. National Drone Association will host the Military Drone Crucible Championship in Florida this summer, where the Marines and the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment will compete to showcase their drone skills and tactics in modern combat.