CaliToday (22/11/2025): The State of Florida has decided against destroying over 500 Chinese-manufactured drones that the state had previously confiscated. Instead, in a significant security and training pivot, the state government has transferred the entire cache to the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) for use as realistic target practice and live interception exercises, according to a report by Bloomberg News.
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| More than 500 Chinese drones confiscated by Florida officials will be used for military target practice for evaluation and training. |
The 'Military Drone Crucible'
The confiscated drones, primarily low-cost commercial models, will become "live targets" in a major three-day training exercise held from December 4th to 6th at Camp Blanding. This event, dubbed the "Military Drone Crucible," is described as the "largest drone destruction event ever hosted in the United States," according to USNDA Chairman Nate Ecelbarger.
U.S. Special Forces operators will engage the drones directly using shotguns and various sophisticated counter-drone techniques.
The intensive training is designed to replicate actual combat scenarios: from room breaches to engaging enemy vehicle convoys. The drones will be deployed as real-world targets to sharpen the military’s ability to rapidly respond to the growing threat of low-altitude, inexpensive aerial threats a defining characteristic of modern conflict zones.
This event dramatically surpasses the previous U.S. drone destruction record, which occurred in Indiana in September, where 49 drones were downed using electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons. Navy SEALs, Marine Corps special operators, and Army Rangers are all confirmed participants in the high-stakes training.
geopolitical Context: The Drone Arms Race
The decision to use Chinese drones as "live bait" comes as the Trump administration intensifies the domestic drone arms race. The President has publicly demanded that the Pentagon accelerate mass production of advanced, affordable drones to directly compete with the scale and speed of manufacturing witnessed in rival nations like Russia and China.
The use of seized foreign technology for live-fire practice not only solves a disposal problem for Florida but also serves a dual purpose: providing highly realistic training and sending a clear message about the perceived security risks associated with Chinese technology in U.S. airspace.
The strategic move underscores the military’s commitment to preparing for the future of warfare, where swarms of small, low-cost unmanned aerial systems (UAS) pose a complex and ubiquitous threat to ground forces.