{
  "id": 6915454,
  "title": "Ukrainians embed with US forces during drills in Germany to teach the latest in drone warfare",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/ukrainians-embed-with-us-forces-during-drills-in-germany-to-teach-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T11:34:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/09/12/ukrainians-embed-with-us-forces-during-drills-in-germany-to-teach-the-latest-in-drone-warfare"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A lone American soldier in Germany adjusted a controller, prompting a drone to launch into the sky, its wingspan nearly matching his height. This scene unfolded during a U.S. Army training exercise, aimed at showcasing and testing tactics and equipment gleaned from Ukrainian drone warfare expertise. The annual drills held in Bavarian foothills over recent weeks underscore the deepening partnership between U.S. and Ukrainian forces, with American troops seeking to integrate drone capabilities into their units. Brigadier General Terry Tillis, leading the Germany-based Army training unit, revealed that the Army possesses 1,900 drones, which represent the newest advancements learned from Ukraine's war efforts. The AP was granted exclusive access to the German training ground, offering a glimpse into how the United States is collaborating with and learning from Ukraine. As the U.S. strives to counter Iranian drone threats in the ongoing conflict, the Army is still grappling with how to incorporate drones into its overall strategy. While there is consensus on the necessity of integrating drones, leaders are still determining how to structure ground forces for drone warfare, beyond merely adding drones to existing infantry battalions. Some Army units have started incorporating one-way attack drones down to the company level. Additionally, soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade have traveled to Ukraine to learn from the country's leading drone warfare capabilities. The exercise, Saber Junction, runs for nearly four weeks in August and September. Roughly half of the 173rd Airborne Brigade's engagements with opposing forces during the exercise were initiated by drones, according to Anthony Miller, the Army's chief technology officer. Despite these advancements, the Army has experienced a series of departures of top leaders who supported these drone experiments. Recent changes include the ousting of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who replaced Army's top uniformed officer, Gen. Randy George, with Gen. Christopher LaNeve. LaNeve, an ascendant Republican administration figure, previously commanded an Army formation in South Korea and now leads the nation's largest military service. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, the civilian leader of the service and a George ally, also left early this month. Both George and Driscoll championed the quick adaptation of the Army to utilize drone technology. Earlier this month, LaNeve ordered the disbandment of a specialized drone unit amid ongoing debates about the future of drone warfare within the Army.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}