Pentagon chief Austin called moving drones to Kiev meaningless because of Russian air defense;
The Pentagon views the transfer of US MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and strike drones to Ukraine as a wasteful undertaking. This was stated by the head of the US Department of Defense, Lloyd Austin.
“This platform will not survive if they (UAF) try to apply it in this environment,” he told a budget hearing.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley agreed with Austin. According to him, the MQ-9 is “not a tenant” in the war zone in Ukraine, these drones will quickly bring down Russian air defenses. He doesn’t think the Reapers will give the UAF any more options than the smaller, “smarter” drones they already get.
Austin also said that according to the Pentagon, Ukraine’s main needs are air defense, armored vehicles and long-range firearms.
