China has monopolies on supply chains and manufacturing of industrial drones.

Drones are suddenly and widely in use by non-NATO countries across the world, and wreak havoc on weapons platforms and fixed targets worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The War Department is scrambling to close the gap with China, and is looking for suppliers for thousands of suicide drones.

To clear the way for US companies, Washington has banned new imports of Chinese drones, which are popular in American small businesses, heavy industry, and in fire and police departments.

But even if the Pentagon can eventually buy and deploy drones at low cost, drones cannot be defended against at low cost.