Hegseth issues rallying cry for army transformation
The size US Army’s fleet of Humvees and any future procurement is being questioned. (Photo: US Army)
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has outlined an ambitious plan to reform, reshape and redirect the US Army in an overhaul which would see a reduction in formations and less manned attack helicopters.
The US Army must transform and rapidly bring in new technologies and capabilities such as artificial intelligence (AI), missile defence, uncrewed systems, improved long-range fires while renewing focus on the Indo-Pacific region while walking away from the procurement of obsolete equipment.
The future direction of the force was outlined by US Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, on 30 April in a memorandum entitled Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform as part of an effort to build a “leaner and more lethal force”.
This change, Hegseth said, would be achieved through “divesting outdated, redundant and inefficient programmes, as well as restructuring headquarters
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Land Warfare
-
![All of NATO’s innovation ranges may be operational this year]()
All of NATO’s innovation ranges may be operational this year
The innovation ranges are designed to provide testing and validation across high technology areas and are a key part of NATO’s Rapid Adoption Action Plan to get new technologies into service faster.
-
![Latvian drone interceptor units to enter service “within weeks”]()
Latvian drone interceptor units to enter service “within weeks”
Latvia is one of the countries at the forefront of developing a counter uncrewed aerial system capability, drawing on its own industry to meet a geographical and geo-political circumstance that has seen drone incursions rise.
-
![British Army turns to local option for small robot trials]()
British Army turns to local option for small robot trials
The UK Government has ordered XRC’s small Rhino UGV for trials just weeks after placing a contract for ARX Robotics Gereon tracked UGV which will also be manufactured in the UK. The latest move is another step in creating a force of 40% uncrewed systems.
-
![SOF Week 2026: The Gear Keeping Warfighters Ready in Extreme Climates (Video)]()
SOF Week 2026: The Gear Keeping Warfighters Ready in Extreme Climates (Video)
At SOF Week 2026, Pro-Shot Defense discusses the maintenance technologies and weapon support tools designed to keep special operations forces mission ready in the world’s harshest environments.
