In a recent speech, Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google and head of the defense tech startup White Stork, proposed that the U.S. Army should consider replacing its tanks with AI-driven drones. Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia, Schmidt called the military’s massive tank fleet “useless” and suggested reallocating resources toward more advanced drone technologies.
Russian drones costing less than a thousand dollars crush two German Leopard 2A6 tanks, one of which costs 8.5 million dollars! pic.twitter.com/xQI3RxPSbi
— S p r i n t e r (@SprinterFamily) October 24, 2023
Schmidt’s proposal is influenced by the recent conflict in Ukraine, where drones have shown surprising effectiveness against armored tanks. Consumer-grade drones have been used to drop grenades into open hatches, demonstrating the vulnerability of even modern tanks. Schmidt’s company, White Stork, is working to develop autonomous drones that can operate independently without GPS.
Ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt says the future of war is electronic warfare and automated drones powered by artificial intelligence fighting other drones, where it is too lethal for humans to enter the front line, "if you look up and you see a drone, within 2-3 minutes you're dead" pic.twitter.com/pmrLxjMAHX
— Tsarathustra (@tsarnick) October 15, 2024
Schmidt envisions a future where autonomous drones take the place of traditional tanks, mortars, and artillery. Russia’s estimated loss of 3,000 tanks in Ukraine has intensified the debate on the viability of tank warfare. Despite this, tanks remain an important asset for both Russian and Ukrainian forces, with Ukraine actively seeking additional Western tank support.
Modern tanks are increasingly outfitted with systems like the Trophy active protection system, designed to intercept incoming threats before they reach the vehicle. Many experts believe that while drones are valuable, the U.S. Army is likely to pursue a hybrid strategy that utilizes both drones and tanks in future conflicts.
