The U.S. military is set to inaugurate a pioneering autonomous warfare command aimed at deploying advanced unmanned systems throughout Latin America. This initiative marks a groundbreaking step for a combatant command.

General Francis Donovan, the commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), announced on Tuesday the establishment of the SOUTHCOM Autonomous Warfare Command. This new effort is designed to align with national security priorities and bolster regional initiatives.

“From the depths of the ocean to the reaches of space, including the cyber realm, we plan to harness the unmatched capabilities of the American defense sector. By deploying state-of-the-art innovations and strengthening collaborations with our longstanding regional partners, we aim to outpace those who pose threats to our shared peace and security,” Donovan stated.

SOUTHCOM has indicated that this new command will focus on utilizing “autonomous, semi-autonomous, and unmanned platforms and systems” to address threats and challenges across various domains, effectively linking tactical operations to broader strategic outcomes.

General Donovan emphasized the military’s push towards integrating drones and autonomous technologies into regional missions, enhancing operational capabilities. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

The SOUTHCOM Autonomous Warfare Command will also collaborate with U.S. allies in the area, targeting narcoterrorist and cartel networks, and providing swift responses to major natural disasters.

Donovan said the region is well-suited for innovation and collaboration with partners.

“Our geographic area of responsibility has a wide range of conditions, varied terrain, and diverse operational environments that make it an ideal setting in which to innovate. It is also a region with very capable and committed security partners who lean forward, embrace technologies and are very eager to work collaboratively with us to support regional stability in new and effective ways,” he said.

U.S. Southern Command is expanding the use of drones and autonomous systems as it launches a new warfare unit, officials said. (U.S. Southern Command)

SOUTHCOM is responsible for military operations in Central and South America and the Caribbean, including counter-narcotics missions aimed at disrupting drug trafficking networks that threaten U.S. interests.

The U.S. military has carried out dozens of strikes in recent months on suspected drug-smuggling vessels as part of a broader campaign to dismantle cartel-linked trafficking operations.

In a written posture statement to Congress earlier this year, Donovan said he aimed to leverage emerging technologies, telling lawmakers he intended “to capitalize on next generation capabilities like unmanned platforms, AI integration, and commercial tools to better enable us and our partners to counter … threats together.”

Drones and AI-powered systems are part of a new U.S. Southern Command initiative to counter regional threats. (U.S. Southern Command)

In March, Donovan told an Armed Services Committee member he aimed to build cost-effective, modernized forces for SOUTHCOM’s mission, including autonomous systems and human-machine teaming, “to greatly increase lethality, all-domain awareness, and data sharing for U.S. and partner forces.”

SOUTHCOM said it will work with the military services and the War Department’s Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) to identify capabilities needed for the new command to begin operations and integrate into its mission.

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