politics
Cuba Acquired Over 300 Attack Drones From Iran and Russia Since 2023
Cuba has obtained more than 300 attack drones from Iran and Russia since 2023. The systems give limited asymmetric capability but do not close the military gap with the United States. Migration, narcotics, and espionage concerns have prompted recent U.S. naval deployments.
May 26, 7:00 AM·1m read1 source
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Cuba has acquired more than 300 attack drones from Iran and Russia since 2023. Cuban planners have reportedly discussed strikes against Guantanamo Bay, U.S. naval vessels, and Key West, Florida. The drones supply a limited harassment and asymmetric strike option. They do not reduce the overall disparity between Cuban and U.S. military capabilities.
More than 600,000 Cubans have attempted or reached U.S. shores since 2021. The total exceeds the Mariel boatlift and the 1994 rafting crisis combined.
Cuba maintains 50,000 active troops, 40,000 reserves, and about 1.1 million personnel in its Territorial Troops Militia. Its air force operates roughly 20 aircraft, and its army fields around 300 aging T-55 and T-62 tanks along with Soviet-era artillery. Global Firepower ranks Cuba 65th globally. The ranking reflects obsolescence and systemic decay in equipment.
Russia signed a military cooperation agreement with Cuba in 2025 and is believed to maintain an intelligence task force on the island. China supplies economic support and faces similar intelligence allegations. Cuba’s GDP has contracted for consecutive years, inflation exceeds 25 percent, and the fiscal deficit has surpassed 10 percent of GDP.
Chronic blackouts and food shortages have already produced public unrest.
