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House Republicans Press Agencies for Clarity on Drone Incursion Defenses

Lawmakers demand detailed interagency records to strengthen base defenses following hundreds of unauthorized incursions in 2024.

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Overview

  • In 2024 more than 350 unauthorized drones were detected at over 100 U.S. military installations, including a weeks-long swarm over Langley Air Force Base in December 2023.
  • On June 26 the House Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs requested policies, agreements and incident reports from the Departments of Defense, Transportation and Justice, with documents due by July 10.
  • On June 27 a GOP letter led by Rep. Mike Carey extended inquiries to the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, questioning domestic readiness and the risk of weaponized drones smuggled across open borders.
  • Republicans warn that current counter-drone authorities remain fragmented, with coordination between military installations, the FAA, DOJ and local law enforcement described as improvised and slow.
  • Lawmakers point to lethal drone operations overseas—including Russian swarms of Iranian-made Shahed-136s and precision strikes in Ukraine and the Middle East—to argue for clearer domestic authorities and stronger mitigation measures.