By the summer of 2023, the regions of the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea will patrol 100 unmanned ships. The project is involved in the United States, Kuwait and Bahrain, reports Defense One.
Other Middle Eastern states also consider the opportunity to join the American initiative, but so far there is no accurate information about what countries it will be.
The Persian Gulf area is an important area of naval trade, as well as drug and weapons smuggling. Disruptions will work with manned ships to expand the possibilities of tracking illegal trade for the United States and other countries in the region.
“You can simply see more than we see today, and I think that we will find ourselves in the best restraining position. We will be able to use manned vessels more efficiently if we find some illegal activity,” said Tim Hokins, commander of the Navy.
Washington has already begun to send drones to the region. By December 2022, 20 surface drones will be deployed.