Hegseth announces 20% cut in US generals and admirals, new autonomous warfare command

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, announced a 20% reduction in the number of US generals and admirals. He spoke at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, in what he called his "State of the Force" address.

The audience was made up of junior officers and enlisted personnel. The speech came a year after a similar address by Hegseth. DW and France 24 describe that earlier speech as delivered to top officers.

Hegseth also announced a new four-star command for autonomous and robotic capabilities. CGTN names it the Autonomous Warfare Command and quoted him as saying it would "scale autonomous and robotic capabilities across the joint force." According to The Wall Street Journal, as cited by CGTN, the command is expected to overhaul how the Pentagon buys, tests and deploys drones. The Journal also reported a proposed $74 billion for drone and counter-drone technology.

He announced an effort to study the future of warfare. It is to be led by Elon Musk, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey. CGTN reports it is called "Project Meridian".

Hegseth further announced plans for a new base for 15,000 to 20,000 troops. He invited states to compete to host it. According to The Hindu, it would be the first new base in 40 years. The Hindu also reports a planned Office of Religious Affairs.

The announcement follows earlier removals. President Donald Trump fired the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Charles "CQ" Brown, without explanation in February 2025. The heads of the Army, Navy and Coast Guard have also been pushed out since early 2025, among others.

What is disputed

DW, France 24 and the South China Morning Post report that the 20% cut has already happened. DW quoted Hegseth as saying: "The number-crunchers say we fired 10% of the generals and admirals across the force." He added that general officer slots were reduced "by an additional 10%."

The Hindu instead reports a directive to reach 20% by 1 January 2027. Pentagon figures cited by France 24 show 831 generals and admirals in May 2025 and 851 in July 2026. Asked for clarification, the Pentagon said: "We have nothing further to provide beyond the secretary's comments," according to France 24.

What each side says

Hegseth rejected criticism. "The media calls that a purge. I call it accountability, and long overdue," DW quoted him as saying.

Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about possible politicization of the military. Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, told the Associated Press that Hegseth has "some kind of like deep-seated grievance about leadership in the military," according to DW.

Republican Senator Mike Rounds was more cautious. "If it's simply a matter of eliminating a very heavy top, there may be some validity to it, but I want to see it first," DW quoted him as saying.

Analysis

The central open question is factual: whether the 20% reduction has been carried out or remains a target. Pentagon figures cited by France 24 do not show a decline, and the department declined to clarify. If official data later confirm a cut, it could reshape the senior officer corps. If not, the announcement may be read mainly as a policy goal. The new autonomous warfare command and the study effort point to a stated shift toward drones and robotics. CGTN describes the command as a four-star combatant command with "service-like authorities", and The Wall Street Journal, as cited by CGTN, reported a proposed $74 billion for drone and counter-drone technology in the Pentagon's budget request. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not detail oversight of the command or funding for the study effort. Congressional scrutiny, already signalled by senators from both parties, may shape how these plans proceed.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.