Hegseth orders ‘comprehensive transformation’ of US Army, merging offices and cutting weapons
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has launched a sweeping transformation of the U.S. Army aimed at modernising and streamlining the force to meet emerging global threats, especially from China, by 2027. Key reforms include divesting outdated systems like the AH-64D Apache and Humvees, cancelling procurement of the M10 Booker light tank and Gray Eagle drone, and replacing legacy platforms with cost-effective alternatives such as drone swarms and AI-driven command systems. Major structural changes involve merging Army Futures Command and TRADOC, cutting 1,000 headquarters staff, and consolidating commands under a new Western Hemisphere Command. Investments will prioritise advanced technologies, including long-range precision fires, cyber warfare, and 3D printing, while legacy programs may face further cuts. The initiative, branded as the Army Transformation Initiative (ATI), seeks to build a leaner, more lethal, and tech-forward Army within 32 months.