Elon Musk Warns of Potential U.S. Military Defeat Without Urgent Weapons Program Reforms
The tech billionaire, now serving as a special government employee advising the U.S. President, has sounded an alarm on the nation’s defense capabilities. Elon Musk cautioned that without immediate and significant changes to outdated weapons programs, the U.S. risks major defeat in its next war.
Musk, who heads SpaceX and Tesla, has been critical of inefficiencies within the U.S. defense sector for some time. He argues that excessive bureaucracy and obsolete military strategies undermine national security. As the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk is actively working to streamline federal operations, including those related to defense.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, maker of the Predator drone, has urged DOGE to reform the Pentagon’s contracting system. They argue that the current process is too slow and bureaucratic to effectively counter threats from nations like China and Iran. Major defense contractor L3Harris Technologies has also provided recommendations to improve the defense acquisition system.
DOGE has already taken significant steps towards reducing federal spending. Within its first 80 hours of operation, it canceled approximately $420 million in government contracts as part of an ambitious goal to reduce spending by $2 trillion.
Musk’s critique extends to specific defense programs. He has been particularly harsh on the F-35 fighter jet program, labeling it a “sh*t design.” Musk advocates for a shift towards unmanned systems, which he believes are more effective and economical in modern combat.
Speaking at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, Musk emphasized the transformative impact of advanced technology on warfare. He stressed the need for urgent innovation to maintain U.S. military dominance in an increasingly complex global landscape.