Gen. Michael Kurilla, top commander of US forces in the Middle East, has reaffirmed that Saudi-US military ties are “very strong” and “necessary for permanent peace and security in the Middle East.”
Kurilla, during a press briefing from CENTCOM headquarters, Tampa, Florida, added that he is working to invest in partnerships that bring together countries of the region, where he said everyone is a stakeholder.
US commitment to the region was measured by the number of soldiers on the ground, said Kurilla, but then added that this is the old way of thinking.
“Rather, it should be measured by the strength of our partnerships,” he commented.
“For example, we are building on assets that we already have and creating an interconnected mesh of sensors that transmit real-time data, viewed together through data integration, artificial intelligence platforms that help build a clearer picture of the operating environment.”
“We’re using unmanned systems paired with artificial intelligence, or AI, to give us better information faster. This allows us to employ our manned systems more efficiently and strategically.”
“All of this helps us achieve decision dominance. We’re able to cultivate information and use AI to make decisions faster than our adversaries and use our manned systems more efficiently.”
“CENTCOM has recently stood up three innovation task forces: Task Force 59, Task Force 99, and Task Force 39.”
“Task Force 39 will test concept and technology, to include a fleet of unmanned land vehicles paired with manned ground vehicles, to help us and allow us to protect the force while maximizing our troops strength and force posture.”
“Task Force 39 is teaming manned and unmanned systems. Task Force 39 is also looking at new technology to defeat Iranian drones. We want to serve as the experimentation center for new drone-defeat systems, ideas, and technology, to include directed energy.”
“Meanwhile, Iran continues to undermine regional security and stability through militia groups, ballistic missile capabilities, UAVs, and routine threats to international waterways.”
“Iran continues to violate sanctions and embargoes, proliferate weapons to its network of proxies and affiliates, and seize shipping in international waters. Iran continues to spread chaos through violent proxy groups funded by Tehran.”
“For more than 40 years, the Iranian regime has funded and aggressively supported terrorism and terrorist organizations and defied international norms by conducting malign activities while destabilizing not only the region, but global security and commerce as well.”
