Pentagon broadens counter-drone authorities in bid to shore up vulnerable U.S. bases

Kosovo Forces Regional Command-East's U.S. contingent conducts counter-drone training on Dec. 10, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alyssa Lisenbe)

By Drew F. Lawrence • Jan 27, 2026

The Pentagon said it consolidated policies around protecting American military facilities from drone threats after unclear guidance that left base commanders scrambling on how to respond and years of increased unmanned aerial system sightings over key Defense Department assets.

Drone incursions over American military bases jumped considerably over the last several years, alarming officials, and a Pentagon watchdog report released last week said the DOD’s confused policies meant some facilities in the U.S. couldn’t adequately protect themselves.

Following the release of the Defense Department Inspector General report last Tuesday, which noted dire gaps in military counter-UAS policy that limited base responses to drone threats, the Pentagon said it had already adjusted its guidelines last month in an effort to give commanders “expanded authority and flexibility needed to dominate the airspace above their installations.”