1 00:00:00,079 --> 00:00:03,630 Good afternoon . All right . So I have 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:05,696 a few items to pass along at the top 3 00:00:05,696 --> 00:00:07,696 today and then I'd be happy to take 4 00:00:07,696 --> 00:00:09,584 your questions . So the secretary 5 00:00:09,584 --> 00:00:11,640 returned from his trip to Wisden and 6 00:00:11,640 --> 00:00:13,696 Brussels on Friday where he met with 7 00:00:13,696 --> 00:00:15,862 leaders and troops supporting training 8 00:00:15,862 --> 00:00:17,918 efforts for the Ukrainian soldiers . 9 00:00:17,918 --> 00:00:20,084 And then with NATO defense ministers , 10 00:00:20,084 --> 00:00:22,196 the meetings were very productive and 11 00:00:22,196 --> 00:00:21,569 the secretary looks forward to 12 00:00:21,579 --> 00:00:23,412 continuing his dialogue and open 13 00:00:23,412 --> 00:00:25,023 communications with his NATO 14 00:00:25,023 --> 00:00:27,329 counterparts . Turning to this week 15 00:00:27,340 --> 00:00:29,229 tomorrow , Secretary Austin looks 16 00:00:29,229 --> 00:00:31,229 forward to hosting his Excellency , 17 00:00:31,229 --> 00:00:33,173 Sheikh Mohammed , the president of 18 00:00:33,173 --> 00:00:35,340 Somalia here at the Pentagon . You may 19 00:00:35,340 --> 00:00:38,330 recall that in May 2022 at the request 20 00:00:38,340 --> 00:00:40,451 and coordination of the government of 21 00:00:40,451 --> 00:00:42,229 Somalia and at the direction of 22 00:00:42,229 --> 00:00:44,118 President Biden us Africa command 23 00:00:44,118 --> 00:00:46,419 returned a small persistent us military 24 00:00:46,430 --> 00:00:49,000 presence to Somalia to train and advise 25 00:00:49,009 --> 00:00:51,176 partner forces to degrade al Shabaab . 26 00:00:51,659 --> 00:00:53,669 This reestablished us presence and 27 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:55,736 support from our partners and allies 28 00:00:55,736 --> 00:00:57,830 and multilateral efforts stands as 29 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:00,139 strong as a strong signal as our , as 30 00:01:00,159 --> 00:01:02,830 our continued commitment to Somalia and 31 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:06,009 the region more broadly following up 32 00:01:06,018 --> 00:01:08,869 from some announcements earlier this 33 00:01:08,878 --> 00:01:11,179 year during the department's regular 34 00:01:11,189 --> 00:01:12,856 oversight of our execution of 35 00:01:12,856 --> 00:01:14,856 presidential drawdown authority for 36 00:01:14,856 --> 00:01:17,078 Ukraine . We discovered inconsistencies 37 00:01:17,078 --> 00:01:19,369 in equipment valuation for Ukraine in a 38 00:01:19,378 --> 00:01:21,545 significant number of cases , services 39 00:01:21,545 --> 00:01:23,711 used replacement costs rather than net 40 00:01:23,711 --> 00:01:25,934 book value , thereby overestimating the 41 00:01:25,934 --> 00:01:28,100 value of the equipment drawn down from 42 00:01:28,100 --> 00:01:30,100 us stocks and provided to Ukraine . 43 00:01:30,459 --> 00:01:32,739 Once we discovered this mis valuation , 44 00:01:32,750 --> 00:01:34,806 the Comptroller reissued guidance on 45 00:01:34,806 --> 00:01:37,129 March 31st clarifying how to value 46 00:01:37,139 --> 00:01:39,669 equipment in line with the financial 47 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:42,120 management regulation and dod policy to 48 00:01:42,129 --> 00:01:44,073 ensure we use the most accurate of 49 00:01:44,073 --> 00:01:46,240 accounting methods . We have confirmed 50 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:49,540 that for fy 23 the final calculation is 51 00:01:49,550 --> 00:01:53,279 $3.6 billion . And for fy 22 52 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:56,639 it is 2.6 billion for a combined total 53 00:01:56,650 --> 00:01:59,760 of $6.2 billion . These valuation 54 00:01:59,769 --> 00:02:02,480 errors in no way limit or restricted 55 00:02:02,489 --> 00:02:04,930 the size of any of our PDAs or impacted 56 00:02:04,940 --> 00:02:07,051 the provision of support to Ukraine . 57 00:02:07,330 --> 00:02:09,660 And while the while the dod retains the 58 00:02:09,669 --> 00:02:11,947 authority to utilize the recaptured PD , 59 00:02:12,089 --> 00:02:14,589 this has no bearing on appropriated UA 60 00:02:14,610 --> 00:02:17,470 I or Ukraine PDA replenishment funding 61 00:02:17,479 --> 00:02:21,289 approved by Congress . Um Sorry , going 62 00:02:21,300 --> 00:02:23,356 back in time just one more time . Uh 63 00:02:23,356 --> 00:02:25,411 This past weekend under Secretary of 64 00:02:25,411 --> 00:02:27,356 Defense for policy , Dr Colin call 65 00:02:27,356 --> 00:02:29,411 returned from his travel to Hawaii , 66 00:02:29,411 --> 00:02:31,869 South Korea and Japan where he engaged 67 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:33,991 in counterpart , where he engaged his 68 00:02:33,991 --> 00:02:36,158 counterparts in engagements to address 69 00:02:36,158 --> 00:02:38,269 mutual security challenges , identify 70 00:02:38,269 --> 00:02:40,158 opportunities to increase defense 71 00:02:40,158 --> 00:02:42,350 cooperation and enable efforts to 72 00:02:42,360 --> 00:02:44,527 network our alliances with like-minded 73 00:02:44,527 --> 00:02:46,580 partners throughout his meetings . 74 00:02:46,589 --> 00:02:48,478 Doctor call emphasized our shared 75 00:02:48,478 --> 00:02:50,645 commitment to building a free and open 76 00:02:50,645 --> 00:02:52,811 Indo Pacific . One that is grounded in 77 00:02:52,811 --> 00:02:54,922 core principles including the rule of 78 00:02:54,922 --> 00:02:56,811 law , respect for sovereignty and 79 00:02:56,811 --> 00:02:59,919 territorial integrity . And lastly , 80 00:02:59,929 --> 00:03:01,929 and finally , as many of you know , 81 00:03:01,929 --> 00:03:03,762 Senator Tuberville has placed an 82 00:03:03,762 --> 00:03:05,929 indefinite hold on the confirmation of 83 00:03:05,929 --> 00:03:07,929 our general and flag officers . The 84 00:03:07,929 --> 00:03:09,818 department has 64 3 and four star 85 00:03:09,818 --> 00:03:12,130 nominations pending for positions due 86 00:03:12,139 --> 00:03:14,850 to rotate soon between now and the end 87 00:03:14,860 --> 00:03:16,971 of the year , there are approximately 88 00:03:16,971 --> 00:03:19,193 650 general and flag officers that will 89 00:03:19,193 --> 00:03:21,082 require Senate confirmation . And 90 00:03:21,082 --> 00:03:23,249 without these leaders in place , these 91 00:03:23,249 --> 00:03:25,360 holds severely limit the department's 92 00:03:25,360 --> 00:03:27,471 ability to ensure the right person is 93 00:03:27,471 --> 00:03:29,360 in place at the right time and to 94 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:31,082 ensure strategic readiness and 95 00:03:31,082 --> 00:03:33,304 operational success . These holds set a 96 00:03:33,304 --> 00:03:35,138 dangerous precedent and puts our 97 00:03:35,138 --> 00:03:37,193 military readiness at risk at a time 98 00:03:37,193 --> 00:03:39,416 when our military is expected to defend 99 00:03:39,416 --> 00:03:41,527 the nation , meet the acute threat of 100 00:03:41,527 --> 00:03:43,749 Russia and address the pacing challenge 101 00:03:43,749 --> 00:03:45,804 of the PR C . And with that , I'd be 102 00:03:45,804 --> 00:03:47,916 happy to take your questions . Thanks 103 00:03:47,916 --> 00:03:50,082 for doing this . I wanted to ask about 104 00:03:50,082 --> 00:03:52,669 the loss Submersible near the Titanic . 105 00:03:52,679 --> 00:03:55,520 Are there any other resources that DD 106 00:03:55,529 --> 00:03:58,210 can provide that would be able to aid 107 00:03:58,220 --> 00:04:01,889 with the search or is it just a problem 108 00:04:01,899 --> 00:04:04,010 of distance and time and possibly the 109 00:04:04,010 --> 00:04:06,010 capability that we just do not have 110 00:04:06,010 --> 00:04:08,343 vessels that can go deep enough to help ? 111 00:04:08,343 --> 00:04:10,288 So the duty is assisting in search 112 00:04:10,288 --> 00:04:12,510 operations . Um as of yesterday , there 113 00:04:12,510 --> 00:04:14,669 were two C 1 30 that conducted search 114 00:04:14,679 --> 00:04:16,679 and rescue flights and conducted a 115 00:04:16,690 --> 00:04:19,040 search flight over the area . Um By 116 00:04:19,049 --> 00:04:21,619 later today , an Air National Guard C 1 117 00:04:21,630 --> 00:04:23,500 30 will also join the search and 118 00:04:23,510 --> 00:04:25,732 conduct a search flight over the area . 119 00:04:25,732 --> 00:04:27,788 Um So by the end of today , we would 120 00:04:27,788 --> 00:04:29,621 have committed three C 1 30 s to 121 00:04:29,621 --> 00:04:31,788 conducting search and rescue flights . 122 00:04:31,788 --> 00:04:33,843 Um uh In , in addition to that , the 123 00:04:33,843 --> 00:04:35,954 navy has been in touch with the Coast 124 00:04:35,954 --> 00:04:37,899 Guard and um is working to provide 125 00:04:37,899 --> 00:04:39,732 personnel such as subject matter 126 00:04:39,732 --> 00:04:42,260 experts and um assets as quickly as 127 00:04:42,269 --> 00:04:44,325 possible . But I don't have anything 128 00:04:44,325 --> 00:04:46,325 further to read out as the Navy and 129 00:04:46,325 --> 00:04:48,547 Coast Guard continue to remain in touch 130 00:04:48,547 --> 00:04:48,299 on this issue . Let me just one more on 131 00:04:48,309 --> 00:04:51,100 that one other issue of , are there any 132 00:04:51,109 --> 00:04:53,779 vessels that could get to the I guess 133 00:04:53,790 --> 00:04:55,957 suspected location where the vessel is 134 00:04:55,957 --> 00:04:58,123 in time right now , we're working with 135 00:04:58,123 --> 00:05:00,179 the Coast Guard . The Coast Guard is 136 00:05:00,179 --> 00:05:02,401 the lead on this mission . Um I believe 137 00:05:02,401 --> 00:05:04,568 that we are doing everything we can in 138 00:05:04,568 --> 00:05:06,734 terms of surveying the area and that's 139 00:05:06,734 --> 00:05:08,901 been the focus of the department right 140 00:05:08,901 --> 00:05:11,123 now . Um If there are further updates , 141 00:05:11,123 --> 00:05:13,123 I'd be happy to keep you updated on 142 00:05:13,123 --> 00:05:15,346 that . Ok . And then one last on um the 143 00:05:15,346 --> 00:05:17,568 Wall Street Journal reported that China 144 00:05:17,568 --> 00:05:19,829 may be building a military base on uh 145 00:05:19,850 --> 00:05:22,470 on Cuba for the last couple of weeks . 146 00:05:22,480 --> 00:05:25,230 This building has been hesitant to say 147 00:05:25,239 --> 00:05:27,450 what China is doing in Cuba . Can you 148 00:05:27,519 --> 00:05:29,700 talk about what your concerns are and 149 00:05:30,100 --> 00:05:32,100 to the extent you can describe what 150 00:05:32,100 --> 00:05:34,267 this new military facility is ? Sure , 151 00:05:34,267 --> 00:05:36,322 thanks for the question . Um So I've 152 00:05:36,322 --> 00:05:38,544 seen the reports that you mentioned and 153 00:05:38,544 --> 00:05:40,544 the one from this morning , I don't 154 00:05:40,544 --> 00:05:42,790 have anything to add to that . Um I 155 00:05:42,799 --> 00:05:44,910 have , I have nothing further to , to 156 00:05:44,910 --> 00:05:47,077 comment or , or provide to you at this 157 00:05:47,077 --> 00:05:49,299 time . What we do know and what we have 158 00:05:49,299 --> 00:05:51,466 seen is the PR C continuing to make or 159 00:05:51,466 --> 00:05:53,688 to continuing to express interest in uh 160 00:05:53,688 --> 00:05:55,799 the western hemisphere , we know that 161 00:05:55,799 --> 00:05:57,825 they want to expand their military 162 00:05:57,834 --> 00:05:59,723 presence . And so we are going to 163 00:05:59,723 --> 00:06:02,234 continue to monitor that . Um We feel 164 00:06:02,244 --> 00:06:05,195 that we will have the um resources 165 00:06:05,204 --> 00:06:08,994 needed to counter any um further 166 00:06:09,005 --> 00:06:11,338 actions that if they decide to take any . 167 00:06:11,338 --> 00:06:13,338 But at this point , there's nothing 168 00:06:13,338 --> 00:06:15,561 that I can add to those reports . Great 169 00:06:15,561 --> 00:06:18,230 Liz in the back um to follow up on that 170 00:06:18,239 --> 00:06:20,128 question on trying to , to keep a 171 00:06:20,128 --> 00:06:22,295 relationship . Um Does the US have any 172 00:06:22,295 --> 00:06:24,859 reason to reevaluate its posture in the 173 00:06:24,869 --> 00:06:27,559 western hemisphere in Latin America or 174 00:06:27,570 --> 00:06:30,179 um anywhere in South America based on 175 00:06:30,190 --> 00:06:32,357 China's actions , we feel confident in 176 00:06:32,357 --> 00:06:34,523 our resources and our capabilities and 177 00:06:34,523 --> 00:06:36,523 not just here in our hemisphere but 178 00:06:36,523 --> 00:06:38,746 around the world . Again , we don't see 179 00:06:38,746 --> 00:06:40,968 conflict with China . Um competition is 180 00:06:40,968 --> 00:06:43,079 something that the secretary and this 181 00:06:43,079 --> 00:06:45,357 administration has spoken openly about , 182 00:06:45,357 --> 00:06:47,246 but we feel very confident in our 183 00:06:47,246 --> 00:06:49,357 capabilities . But again , I wouldn't 184 00:06:49,357 --> 00:06:51,579 be able to speak more specifically to , 185 00:06:51,579 --> 00:06:51,260 to the reports that you reference . 186 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:53,446 Yeah , go ahead . Thank you . Just one 187 00:06:53,446 --> 00:06:55,279 separate question . Um Following 188 00:06:55,279 --> 00:06:57,390 Secretary Lincoln's trip to China and 189 00:06:57,390 --> 00:06:59,612 meeting with President Xi , does um the 190 00:06:59,612 --> 00:07:01,612 defense secretary feel more or less 191 00:07:01,612 --> 00:07:03,723 confident in being able to speak with 192 00:07:03,723 --> 00:07:05,668 his Chinese counterpart ? Well , I 193 00:07:05,668 --> 00:07:07,779 think uh just most recently he was um 194 00:07:07,790 --> 00:07:09,957 in Brussels and spoke to this . We are 195 00:07:09,957 --> 00:07:11,512 certainly keeping a line of 196 00:07:11,512 --> 00:07:13,457 communication open . Um We want to 197 00:07:13,457 --> 00:07:15,880 establish communication with um the PR 198 00:07:15,890 --> 00:07:18,112 C and the secretary's counterparts . Um 199 00:07:18,112 --> 00:07:20,334 We have left that door open , they just 200 00:07:20,334 --> 00:07:22,390 have not chosen to walk through that 201 00:07:22,390 --> 00:07:24,612 door . But uh as the secretary has said 202 00:07:24,612 --> 00:07:26,668 before , we remain confident that um 203 00:07:26,668 --> 00:07:28,890 mill to mill communications will resume 204 00:07:28,890 --> 00:07:31,057 at some point and , and hopefully , um 205 00:07:31,057 --> 00:07:33,223 with Secretary Blinken visit just this 206 00:07:33,223 --> 00:07:35,223 week , um that helps sort of unlock 207 00:07:35,223 --> 00:07:37,168 some of these communications . But 208 00:07:37,168 --> 00:07:39,446 again , this is something we encourage . 209 00:07:39,446 --> 00:07:41,223 Um we want to speak to our PR C 210 00:07:41,223 --> 00:07:43,279 counterparts . Um But we just as you 211 00:07:43,279 --> 00:07:45,390 know , before his trip to Singapore , 212 00:07:45,390 --> 00:07:47,612 we extended that that door um and tried 213 00:07:47,612 --> 00:07:49,723 to have a meeting there and we were , 214 00:07:49,723 --> 00:07:51,834 we were turned down . Ok . One more , 215 00:07:51,834 --> 00:07:54,057 yeah , more hopeful or less hopeful . I 216 00:07:54,057 --> 00:07:55,946 wouldn't , I wouldn't know how to 217 00:07:55,946 --> 00:07:58,057 characterize the , the secretary's um 218 00:07:58,057 --> 00:08:00,057 uh feeling at this moment . I think 219 00:08:00,057 --> 00:08:02,112 what you heard from him last week is 220 00:08:02,112 --> 00:08:03,890 that he's confident military to 221 00:08:03,890 --> 00:08:06,057 military communications will resume at 222 00:08:06,057 --> 00:08:08,223 some point . We just haven't , we , we 223 00:08:08,223 --> 00:08:07,850 will keep that door open and , and 224 00:08:07,859 --> 00:08:09,970 hopefully they will take us up on our 225 00:08:09,970 --> 00:08:12,192 invitation . Laura , thank you . Um I'm 226 00:08:12,250 --> 00:08:14,472 gonna ask a question about India . Um , 227 00:08:14,472 --> 00:08:16,583 as you know , the Prime Minister Modi 228 00:08:16,583 --> 00:08:18,899 is expected to visit this week . Um 229 00:08:18,910 --> 00:08:21,790 India has contracted for five squadrons 230 00:08:21,799 --> 00:08:24,230 of S four hundreds from Russia . So I'm 231 00:08:24,239 --> 00:08:26,350 wondering if you could speak a little 232 00:08:26,350 --> 00:08:28,480 bit about whether dod has continuing 233 00:08:28,489 --> 00:08:30,880 concerns about India's acquisition of 234 00:08:30,890 --> 00:08:34,169 Russian weapons and any plans to push 235 00:08:34,179 --> 00:08:37,719 back on that or um urge sanctions under 236 00:08:38,020 --> 00:08:40,469 anything like that . So , uh again , we , 237 00:08:40,479 --> 00:08:43,030 we are um we welcome President Modi's 238 00:08:43,039 --> 00:08:45,489 visit to the United States this week . 239 00:08:45,500 --> 00:08:48,440 Uh Secretary Austin visited India just 240 00:08:48,450 --> 00:08:50,672 two weeks ago and was able to meet with 241 00:08:50,672 --> 00:08:53,109 his counterpart there . What we always 242 00:08:53,119 --> 00:08:55,175 will continue to urge our allies and 243 00:08:55,175 --> 00:08:57,286 partners around the world is to avoid 244 00:08:57,286 --> 00:08:59,508 transactions with Russia . Um We remain 245 00:08:59,508 --> 00:09:02,090 deeply confident in India's 246 00:09:02,099 --> 00:09:04,440 diversification of equipment . And over 247 00:09:04,450 --> 00:09:06,450 the past decade , our proposals for 248 00:09:06,450 --> 00:09:08,950 industrial cooperation will further 249 00:09:08,960 --> 00:09:10,960 integrate the US and Indian defense 250 00:09:10,960 --> 00:09:13,016 industries . Um So I think I'll just 251 00:09:13,016 --> 00:09:14,960 leave it at that . Can you speak a 252 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:18,109 little bit as to why the , the US ended 253 00:09:18,119 --> 00:09:20,063 up taking certain measures against 254 00:09:20,063 --> 00:09:22,229 Turkey for getting S four hundreds , 255 00:09:22,239 --> 00:09:24,510 whereas they've not taken such actions 256 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:26,687 against India . Can you speak a little 257 00:09:26,687 --> 00:09:28,576 bit different countries are being 258 00:09:28,576 --> 00:09:30,631 treated differently ? I wouldn't , I 259 00:09:30,631 --> 00:09:32,798 mean , again , we encourage all of our 260 00:09:32,798 --> 00:09:34,409 partners and allies to avoid 261 00:09:34,409 --> 00:09:36,298 transactions with Russia . That's 262 00:09:36,298 --> 00:09:35,827 something that we've continued to 263 00:09:35,836 --> 00:09:38,003 reiterate with Turkey , with India and 264 00:09:38,003 --> 00:09:40,627 with others . I think there are very 265 00:09:40,637 --> 00:09:42,927 different and two different cases . And 266 00:09:43,086 --> 00:09:45,030 when it comes to India , we remain 267 00:09:45,030 --> 00:09:47,142 confident in their diversification of 268 00:09:47,142 --> 00:09:49,713 equipment and our ability to great with 269 00:09:49,723 --> 00:09:52,354 them as well . Jenny . Thank you . 270 00:09:53,554 --> 00:09:55,665 Thank you . Good to see you . Nice to 271 00:09:55,665 --> 00:09:57,498 see you . Welcome back from your 272 00:09:57,498 --> 00:09:59,713 travels . Yeah , thank you . Um I have 273 00:09:59,723 --> 00:10:03,054 uh two patients in North Korea uh last 274 00:10:03,064 --> 00:10:05,286 weekend . And do you know that the last 275 00:10:05,286 --> 00:10:08,754 week in North Korea launch two missiles ? 276 00:10:09,004 --> 00:10:11,283 And uh North Korea and Kim Jong Un 277 00:10:11,294 --> 00:10:14,901 announced that that it would soon try a 278 00:10:14,911 --> 00:10:18,820 second satellite launches . As 279 00:10:18,841 --> 00:10:20,897 you know , North Korea has one , the 280 00:10:21,401 --> 00:10:25,281 Imo International Time Organization 281 00:10:25,291 --> 00:10:28,221 that they will not give advance notice 282 00:10:28,231 --> 00:10:32,051 of its launch when North Korea 283 00:10:32,060 --> 00:10:35,690 attempted to launch a will the 284 00:10:35,700 --> 00:10:39,330 United States intercept North Korean 285 00:10:39,340 --> 00:10:41,710 satellite this time . So I'm not going 286 00:10:41,719 --> 00:10:44,030 to preview or get into our um our 287 00:10:44,039 --> 00:10:46,700 planning or our operations . What 288 00:10:46,710 --> 00:10:48,932 you've seen from North Korea within the 289 00:10:48,932 --> 00:10:50,710 last week or two weeks when you 290 00:10:50,710 --> 00:10:52,877 mentioned the satellite launch is that 291 00:10:52,877 --> 00:10:54,988 again , these are clear violations of 292 00:10:54,988 --> 00:10:57,335 Un Security Council resolutions . It 293 00:10:57,344 --> 00:11:01,155 demonstrates D Pr K's further use to 294 00:11:01,164 --> 00:11:03,924 destabilize and threaten peace and 295 00:11:03,934 --> 00:11:06,140 security in the region . And I believe 296 00:11:06,150 --> 00:11:08,094 you saw just last week , the White 297 00:11:08,094 --> 00:11:10,261 House put out a readout of um national 298 00:11:10,261 --> 00:11:12,372 security adviser , Sullivan's meeting 299 00:11:12,372 --> 00:11:14,428 with his counterparts in Japan and , 300 00:11:14,428 --> 00:11:16,979 and um South Korea where he again and , 301 00:11:16,989 --> 00:11:18,767 and we do from this podium , we 302 00:11:18,767 --> 00:11:20,729 reaffirmed our commitments to the 303 00:11:20,739 --> 00:11:24,375 region . Um So while uh I will say that 304 00:11:24,395 --> 00:11:26,506 our agreement between Japan and South 305 00:11:26,506 --> 00:11:29,114 Korea will not be shaken by the 306 00:11:29,125 --> 00:11:31,385 continuing destabilizing actions that D 307 00:11:31,395 --> 00:11:34,434 pr continues to take . How does the US 308 00:11:34,445 --> 00:11:37,885 and South Korea missile defense system 309 00:11:37,965 --> 00:11:40,849 work currently ? I'm sorry , can you 310 00:11:40,919 --> 00:11:43,090 repeat that South Korean missile 311 00:11:43,099 --> 00:11:45,690 defense ? Well , I won't get into 312 00:11:45,700 --> 00:11:47,922 specifics from here , but as you know , 313 00:11:47,922 --> 00:11:51,630 we continue to coordinate and , and 314 00:11:51,640 --> 00:11:53,473 conduct exercises with the South 315 00:11:53,473 --> 00:11:55,751 Koreans and I'll just leave it at that . 316 00:11:56,080 --> 00:11:59,669 Ok . The US South Korea Cyber 317 00:11:59,760 --> 00:12:03,369 Committee talks , we are haunted today . 318 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:05,862 I don't have anything . I'm sorry , I'd 319 00:12:05,862 --> 00:12:08,196 have to follow back up with you on that . 320 00:12:08,196 --> 00:12:10,418 I'm just gonna take a question from the 321 00:12:10,418 --> 00:12:12,529 phone here and then I'll come back to 322 00:12:12,529 --> 00:12:12,450 the room . Uh Chris Gordon Air and 323 00:12:12,460 --> 00:12:16,210 Space Magazine . Hi , Sabrina , thanks , 324 00:12:16,219 --> 00:12:18,590 uh Secretary Austin renewed his case 325 00:12:18,599 --> 00:12:21,409 for Sweden's admission uh into NATO uh 326 00:12:21,419 --> 00:12:24,260 last week in Brussels . Um , and 327 00:12:24,270 --> 00:12:27,320 yesterday two USB one bombers landed in 328 00:12:27,330 --> 00:12:29,909 Sweden . Can we expect uh more 329 00:12:29,919 --> 00:12:32,039 deployments of us assets such as 330 00:12:32,049 --> 00:12:34,280 aircraft or deployments of more us 331 00:12:34,289 --> 00:12:36,630 troops to Sweden while they await 332 00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:39,640 membership into NATO ? Um Thanks again 333 00:12:39,650 --> 00:12:41,872 for the question , Chris , I don't have 334 00:12:41,872 --> 00:12:43,909 any announcements to make of any 335 00:12:43,919 --> 00:12:46,090 movement of assets into Sweden or 336 00:12:46,099 --> 00:12:48,266 anywhere else . But what you heard the 337 00:12:48,266 --> 00:12:50,729 secretary say last week is that Sweden 338 00:12:50,739 --> 00:12:53,760 has an extremely capable military and 339 00:12:53,770 --> 00:12:57,380 for many years , the US and Sweden and 340 00:12:57,390 --> 00:12:59,390 NATO countries have trained side by 341 00:12:59,390 --> 00:13:02,280 side together . Um Sweden decision to 342 00:13:02,289 --> 00:13:04,799 join the alliance and the path to 343 00:13:04,809 --> 00:13:07,031 ascension is , is something that , um , 344 00:13:07,031 --> 00:13:09,289 again we continue to discuss . But uh 345 00:13:09,299 --> 00:13:11,640 we , we have an open door when it comes 346 00:13:11,650 --> 00:13:14,719 to uh the joining of , of NATO . And we 347 00:13:14,729 --> 00:13:17,179 look forward to um forging an even 348 00:13:17,190 --> 00:13:19,739 deeper relationship with Sweden uh when 349 00:13:19,750 --> 00:13:21,694 they become , when they officially 350 00:13:21,694 --> 00:13:24,799 become the 32nd member of NATO . Um I'm 351 00:13:24,809 --> 00:13:26,976 just gonna take one more question from 352 00:13:26,976 --> 00:13:29,031 the phone . I'll go to Howard Altman 353 00:13:29,031 --> 00:13:31,253 and I'll come back in the room . Thanks 354 00:13:31,253 --> 00:13:31,159 Sabrina . I appreciate it . So , um 355 00:13:31,169 --> 00:13:33,539 this morning , Russian Defense Minister 356 00:13:33,549 --> 00:13:36,859 Sergei Shoyu said that Ukraine was 357 00:13:36,869 --> 00:13:38,980 planning to attack Russian Federation 358 00:13:38,980 --> 00:13:42,299 territory including Crimea with high 359 00:13:42,309 --> 00:13:45,179 Mars and storm shadows . And he said 360 00:13:45,190 --> 00:13:48,059 that the use of these uh weapons would 361 00:13:48,070 --> 00:13:50,400 show direct involvement of the USA and 362 00:13:50,409 --> 00:13:53,419 U in the UK . Does the US ? Does the 363 00:13:53,429 --> 00:13:55,799 Pentagon have any uh response that what 364 00:13:55,809 --> 00:13:58,869 is that response ? We continue to 365 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:00,880 provide support to Ukraine and have 366 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:03,047 committed to doing that for as long as 367 00:14:03,047 --> 00:14:05,469 it takes in their fight against Russia 368 00:14:05,479 --> 00:14:07,757 and retaking their sovereign territory , 369 00:14:07,757 --> 00:14:09,757 as we've said from this podium , we 370 00:14:09,757 --> 00:14:11,979 believe Crimea is part of Ukraine . The 371 00:14:11,979 --> 00:14:14,035 Ukrainians are doing everything that 372 00:14:14,035 --> 00:14:16,201 they can with the equipment , with the 373 00:14:16,201 --> 00:14:18,090 capabilities that they can on the 374 00:14:18,090 --> 00:14:19,868 battlefield to continue to push 375 00:14:19,868 --> 00:14:22,250 Russians further back and we support 376 00:14:22,260 --> 00:14:24,482 their efforts to retake their sovereign 377 00:14:24,482 --> 00:14:26,649 territory . I'll come back and Missy , 378 00:14:26,649 --> 00:14:28,704 hi , I'm serene . Thank you . I just 379 00:14:28,704 --> 00:14:30,649 wanted to follow up on , on Tara's 380 00:14:30,649 --> 00:14:32,260 question about the um the um 381 00:14:32,260 --> 00:14:35,150 Submersible is , are there . So just to 382 00:14:35,159 --> 00:14:37,270 make sure I understood you , you said 383 00:14:37,270 --> 00:14:39,492 that that by the end of the day , there 384 00:14:39,492 --> 00:14:41,492 will have been three US C 1 30 that 385 00:14:41,492 --> 00:14:43,659 will have been deployed for search and 386 00:14:43,659 --> 00:14:43,400 rescue flights . Are there , is there , 387 00:14:43,409 --> 00:14:47,099 are there any undersea um assets that 388 00:14:47,109 --> 00:14:49,109 are being deployed or plans to send 389 00:14:49,109 --> 00:14:51,299 anything actually down to look for the 390 00:14:51,580 --> 00:14:54,229 for the um Submersible right now , we 391 00:14:54,239 --> 00:14:56,562 are providing air support uh I believe 392 00:14:56,572 --> 00:14:58,572 and uh the Coast Guard and the Navy 393 00:14:58,572 --> 00:15:00,572 have been in touch in terms of what 394 00:15:00,692 --> 00:15:03,572 they can provide um in terms of assets 395 00:15:03,583 --> 00:15:05,250 that can further look for the 396 00:15:05,250 --> 00:15:07,361 Submersible that has gone missing . I 397 00:15:07,361 --> 00:15:09,416 don't have anything more to announce 398 00:15:09,416 --> 00:15:09,372 right now . I know that's something 399 00:15:09,382 --> 00:15:11,493 that um both the Navy and Coast Guard 400 00:15:11,502 --> 00:15:14,132 are , are trying to um figure out what 401 00:15:14,143 --> 00:15:16,199 makes the most sense , but the Coast 402 00:15:16,199 --> 00:15:18,310 Guard is really the the lead for this 403 00:15:18,310 --> 00:15:20,143 mission . Um So we are in direct 404 00:15:20,143 --> 00:15:22,032 support for them . Um and we will 405 00:15:22,032 --> 00:15:24,087 continue to be for as long as they , 406 00:15:24,087 --> 00:15:26,365 they request assistance . Yeah , great . 407 00:15:26,365 --> 00:15:28,726 Thank you . Sorry . 408 00:15:30,726 --> 00:15:32,986 Uh Going back to us India military 409 00:15:32,995 --> 00:15:35,866 military relations concern , Secretary 410 00:15:35,875 --> 00:15:38,245 Austen's visit to India was at a very 411 00:15:38,255 --> 00:15:41,976 critical time when China is expanding 412 00:15:41,986 --> 00:15:44,042 in the region and many countries are 413 00:15:44,042 --> 00:15:46,536 fear of Chinese attacks or Chinese 414 00:15:46,546 --> 00:15:49,815 expansion . But at the same time , the 415 00:15:49,825 --> 00:15:52,325 visit was also because Prime Minister 416 00:15:52,335 --> 00:15:54,695 India is coming tomorrow in Washington . 417 00:15:54,979 --> 00:15:57,270 And two weeks before his visit , 418 00:15:57,280 --> 00:15:59,336 secretary was discussing and for the 419 00:15:59,336 --> 00:16:01,869 last several months , few items were 420 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:03,919 going on discussion about military 421 00:16:03,929 --> 00:16:07,710 transfer from the US to India . One 422 00:16:07,719 --> 00:16:10,849 if during secretary's visit thing was 423 00:16:10,859 --> 00:16:13,630 promised or signed in India as far as 424 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:16,469 us military to military with India is 425 00:16:16,479 --> 00:16:18,630 concerned . And second , when Prime 426 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,119 Minister comes here , how much do you 427 00:16:21,130 --> 00:16:23,820 think he will be getting from the , 428 00:16:23,909 --> 00:16:26,020 from this building as far as India is 429 00:16:26,020 --> 00:16:28,820 concerned ? Anything promised or 430 00:16:28,830 --> 00:16:31,659 discuss and discuss with the secretary ? 431 00:16:32,479 --> 00:16:34,919 Uh Number one , please . So a few 432 00:16:34,929 --> 00:16:36,985 questions in there , um I'll try and 433 00:16:36,985 --> 00:16:39,207 address all of them . So I think you've 434 00:16:39,207 --> 00:16:41,570 seen the importance that um uh India 435 00:16:41,580 --> 00:16:43,770 has uh for this building for this 436 00:16:43,780 --> 00:16:46,002 administration . Of course , there is a 437 00:16:46,002 --> 00:16:48,058 state visit that's being hosted this 438 00:16:48,058 --> 00:16:50,113 week by the White House . Um I'm not 439 00:16:50,113 --> 00:16:52,336 going to get ahead of any announcements 440 00:16:52,336 --> 00:16:54,558 that might come out from from the White 441 00:16:54,558 --> 00:16:56,891 House or any other agencies . But again , 442 00:16:56,891 --> 00:16:59,058 as the secretary did on his visit that 443 00:16:59,058 --> 00:17:01,224 that was really about deepening Indian 444 00:17:01,224 --> 00:17:03,002 and Us relations and continuing 445 00:17:03,002 --> 00:17:05,885 military cooperation . We're not asking 446 00:17:05,895 --> 00:17:07,839 countries to choose between us and 447 00:17:07,839 --> 00:17:10,385 China . Again , we do not seek conflict 448 00:17:10,395 --> 00:17:12,117 with China . We seek , we , we 449 00:17:12,117 --> 00:17:15,010 encourage competition um in a healthy 450 00:17:15,020 --> 00:17:17,750 and safe way , but we're not seeking uh 451 00:17:17,819 --> 00:17:21,530 countries to choose sides here . Um So 452 00:17:21,540 --> 00:17:23,890 we remain . Uh I think this will be 453 00:17:23,900 --> 00:17:26,011 another opportunity for the secretary 454 00:17:26,011 --> 00:17:28,959 to engage with India , his counterparts 455 00:17:28,969 --> 00:17:31,339 here um at the state dinner and just 456 00:17:31,349 --> 00:17:33,516 further deepen cooperation between our 457 00:17:33,516 --> 00:17:35,939 two countries . And number two . now , 458 00:17:35,949 --> 00:17:38,689 just before Prime Minister's visit to 459 00:17:38,699 --> 00:17:41,219 Washington , Secretary Lincoln 460 00:17:41,229 --> 00:17:44,410 Secretary of State was in China and 461 00:17:44,420 --> 00:17:46,550 some people are just asking question 462 00:17:46,560 --> 00:17:49,160 why just days before Prime Minister's 463 00:17:49,170 --> 00:17:51,170 visit . And also at the same time , 464 00:17:51,170 --> 00:17:53,281 Prime Minister Modi gave an interview 465 00:17:53,281 --> 00:17:55,380 to Wall Street Journal and he was 466 00:17:55,390 --> 00:17:58,469 talking about China US relations or we 467 00:17:58,479 --> 00:18:01,520 want peace with China and all that . So 468 00:18:01,530 --> 00:18:04,199 how much do you think China will be 469 00:18:04,209 --> 00:18:06,376 discussed during Prime Minister Modi's 470 00:18:06,376 --> 00:18:08,579 visit in Washington ? Because there is 471 00:18:08,589 --> 00:18:11,839 a competition between the US . 472 00:18:11,849 --> 00:18:15,290 China and India is a 473 00:18:15,300 --> 00:18:18,310 triangle there . So why Prime Minister , 474 00:18:18,380 --> 00:18:20,547 what do you think have mentioned China 475 00:18:20,547 --> 00:18:22,547 and before coming to Washington and 476 00:18:22,547 --> 00:18:25,680 also in China and also there are 477 00:18:25,839 --> 00:18:29,089 some going on in China and India also 478 00:18:29,099 --> 00:18:31,630 some kind of fear here and there . So I 479 00:18:31,640 --> 00:18:33,751 think those are great questions and I 480 00:18:33,751 --> 00:18:35,829 would direct you to the appropriate 481 00:18:35,839 --> 00:18:38,117 offices to , to answer those questions , 482 00:18:38,117 --> 00:18:40,228 whether it be the State Department or 483 00:18:40,228 --> 00:18:42,339 President Modi's office . But I speak 484 00:18:42,339 --> 00:18:44,228 on behalf of the Secretary in the 485 00:18:44,228 --> 00:18:46,339 Department of Defense , so I wouldn't 486 00:18:46,339 --> 00:18:45,449 be able to answer those questions . So 487 00:18:45,459 --> 00:18:47,737 I'm going to go ahead and move on here . 488 00:18:47,737 --> 00:18:49,903 Yes , right here in the middle . Thank 489 00:18:49,903 --> 00:18:51,848 you . On the security situation in 490 00:18:51,848 --> 00:18:53,848 North East Syria , we know that the 491 00:18:53,848 --> 00:18:56,015 Turkey has increased its drone attacks 492 00:18:56,015 --> 00:18:58,181 on North Syria and today they attacked 493 00:18:58,181 --> 00:19:00,237 a car and they killed the culture of 494 00:19:00,237 --> 00:19:03,329 the municipality of Kamla . Then what's 495 00:19:03,339 --> 00:19:05,339 your comment on these attacks ? And 496 00:19:05,339 --> 00:19:07,283 have these attacks distracted your 497 00:19:07,283 --> 00:19:09,450 local partner from achieving your goal 498 00:19:09,450 --> 00:19:12,989 to enduring defeat of ISIS ? As you 499 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:15,056 know , our , our mission in Syria is 500 00:19:15,056 --> 00:19:17,056 the enduring defeat of Isis . So we 501 00:19:17,056 --> 00:19:19,229 continue to work with our partners to 502 00:19:19,239 --> 00:19:21,128 accomplish that goal . And that's 503 00:19:21,128 --> 00:19:23,239 something that we're focused on . I'm 504 00:19:23,239 --> 00:19:25,406 sorry , I'm not tracking the reference 505 00:19:25,406 --> 00:19:27,572 to the latest attack . So I'm just not 506 00:19:27,572 --> 00:19:29,739 familiar to that . So I'm not going to 507 00:19:29,739 --> 00:19:31,795 speak to it . There are some reports 508 00:19:31,795 --> 00:19:33,850 that you have some military vehicles 509 00:19:33,850 --> 00:19:35,961 and also military equipment from Iraq 510 00:19:35,961 --> 00:19:38,079 to Syria . Can you confirm that ? And 511 00:19:38,089 --> 00:19:40,033 do you expect an increase from the 512 00:19:40,033 --> 00:19:44,010 attacks by Isis forces in Syria ? And 513 00:19:44,060 --> 00:19:46,750 also I'm not going to engage in 514 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:48,989 hypotheticals there . But I can say 515 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:50,833 that again , our mission is very 516 00:19:50,833 --> 00:19:53,000 focused in Syria . It is to ensure the 517 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,222 defeat of ISIS . That is something that 518 00:19:55,222 --> 00:19:57,389 we continue to do with our partners in 519 00:19:57,389 --> 00:19:59,556 the region . It's something that we're 520 00:19:59,556 --> 00:20:01,611 focused on and I'll just leave it at 521 00:20:01,611 --> 00:20:03,778 that . I'll just leave it . You have , 522 00:20:03,778 --> 00:20:05,944 you have a memorandum of understanding 523 00:20:05,944 --> 00:20:08,111 with Minister of Peshmerga K region of 524 00:20:08,111 --> 00:20:10,278 Iraq . And last week , there were some 525 00:20:10,278 --> 00:20:12,444 people delegation from K region at the 526 00:20:12,444 --> 00:20:14,667 Department of Defense and they met with 527 00:20:14,667 --> 00:20:16,556 the dod officials and this , they 528 00:20:16,556 --> 00:20:18,709 discussed the reform in the Peshmerga 529 00:20:18,719 --> 00:20:21,079 Minister of Peshmerga . Then , what's 530 00:20:21,089 --> 00:20:23,145 your comment on this reform ? And do 531 00:20:23,145 --> 00:20:25,256 you agree with the progress that they 532 00:20:25,256 --> 00:20:27,311 have made with the UN faction of the 533 00:20:27,311 --> 00:20:29,589 Peshmerga forces in Iraq and Kurdistan ? 534 00:20:29,589 --> 00:20:28,849 I just don't have anything more to 535 00:20:28,859 --> 00:20:31,026 offer at this time on , on what you're 536 00:20:31,026 --> 00:20:32,137 referring to Mike . 537 00:20:34,890 --> 00:20:37,650 Sure , the counter offensive in Ukraine , 538 00:20:37,660 --> 00:20:39,882 what's the Pentagon's assessment of how 539 00:20:39,882 --> 00:20:42,459 it's been going thus far and people 540 00:20:42,469 --> 00:20:44,636 depending , I believe people have been 541 00:20:44,636 --> 00:20:47,859 too optimistic about they expecting an 542 00:20:47,869 --> 00:20:50,239 unrealistic outcome this early in the 543 00:20:50,250 --> 00:20:52,739 fight . I think our assessments have 544 00:20:52,750 --> 00:20:55,770 been pretty clear from the beginning . 545 00:20:55,780 --> 00:20:59,250 I think , you know , we , we know as 546 00:20:59,260 --> 00:21:01,371 you continue to see the fight that it 547 00:21:01,371 --> 00:21:03,427 continued to move to the east , it's 548 00:21:03,427 --> 00:21:05,593 become more of a grinding battle every 549 00:21:05,593 --> 00:21:08,459 day . Um You saw that in Baku , the 550 00:21:08,469 --> 00:21:10,290 Ukrainians can speak to their 551 00:21:10,300 --> 00:21:13,859 operations and , and um and more to the 552 00:21:13,869 --> 00:21:16,036 day to day and what's happening on the 553 00:21:16,036 --> 00:21:18,147 ground . But we know this is going to 554 00:21:18,147 --> 00:21:20,369 be a hard fight . We know this is going 555 00:21:20,369 --> 00:21:22,464 to take time and um we are confident 556 00:21:22,474 --> 00:21:24,854 that the Ukrainians have what they need . 557 00:21:24,864 --> 00:21:27,086 Um They have the combat power , uh they 558 00:21:27,086 --> 00:21:29,505 have the ability um to be successful in 559 00:21:29,515 --> 00:21:31,459 their , in their counter offensive 560 00:21:31,459 --> 00:21:33,682 operations . We see them launching both 561 00:21:33,682 --> 00:21:35,685 defensive and offensive operations 562 00:21:35,694 --> 00:21:37,935 right now . Um But I would let them 563 00:21:37,944 --> 00:21:41,364 speak to , to more of that or questions 564 00:21:41,375 --> 00:21:43,653 on two topics first on the Submersible . 565 00:21:43,653 --> 00:21:45,819 When did the conversations between the 566 00:21:45,819 --> 00:21:47,708 Navy and the Coast Guard begin to 567 00:21:47,708 --> 00:21:49,875 figure out what assets to send because 568 00:21:49,875 --> 00:21:51,986 we're now two days later and it seems 569 00:21:51,986 --> 00:21:53,986 like the clock is very much ticking 570 00:21:53,986 --> 00:21:56,097 here . Why the delay there ? And then 571 00:21:56,097 --> 00:21:57,986 the other question on the Senator 572 00:21:57,986 --> 00:22:00,042 Tuberville holds , have you asked or 573 00:22:00,042 --> 00:22:02,208 urged members of the Senate to go , at 574 00:22:02,208 --> 00:22:04,431 least in some cases like the nomination 575 00:22:04,431 --> 00:22:03,199 for the chairman of the Joint chiefs , 576 00:22:03,209 --> 00:22:05,320 simply to go for a floor vote in that 577 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:07,680 and just bypass Tuberville in that case . 578 00:22:07,689 --> 00:22:09,467 So on the first one , I believe 579 00:22:09,467 --> 00:22:11,522 conversations between the Navy Coast 580 00:22:11,522 --> 00:22:13,578 Guard began this weekend again , the 581 00:22:13,578 --> 00:22:13,540 Coast Guard is in charge of this 582 00:22:13,550 --> 00:22:15,439 mission . So when they request um 583 00:22:15,439 --> 00:22:19,199 support or um help in the assistance of 584 00:22:19,209 --> 00:22:21,431 search and rescue , that is what we are 585 00:22:21,431 --> 00:22:23,542 doing , that's what we're providing . 586 00:22:23,542 --> 00:22:25,542 But um for when those conversations 587 00:22:25,542 --> 00:22:27,709 began , I believe they began this this 588 00:22:27,709 --> 00:22:29,542 weekend . Um in terms of Senator 589 00:22:29,542 --> 00:22:31,765 Tuberville , uh and the , and , and the 590 00:22:31,765 --> 00:22:33,820 holds specifically that is more of a 591 00:22:33,820 --> 00:22:35,987 question . Um that is really on Senate 592 00:22:35,987 --> 00:22:37,987 procedure and we can go down a very 593 00:22:37,987 --> 00:22:40,153 long path on , on how Senate procedure 594 00:22:40,153 --> 00:22:42,376 works . Not that I uh particularly want 595 00:22:42,376 --> 00:22:44,431 to do that . But um that is really a 596 00:22:44,431 --> 00:22:47,050 question for um the Senate and how they 597 00:22:47,060 --> 00:22:49,282 decide to conduct their business . What 598 00:22:49,282 --> 00:22:51,338 we know Yes , the chairman is one of 599 00:22:51,338 --> 00:22:53,504 those hold , it is very important that 600 00:22:53,504 --> 00:22:55,727 we have a , a seated confirmed chairman 601 00:22:55,727 --> 00:22:57,782 in the position when Chairman Milley 602 00:22:57,782 --> 00:23:00,004 leaves . Um but there are so many other 603 00:23:00,004 --> 00:23:02,227 positions that also are , are important 604 00:23:02,227 --> 00:23:04,859 and require senate confirmation . Um We 605 00:23:04,869 --> 00:23:06,980 know that this , that these holes are 606 00:23:06,980 --> 00:23:08,813 going to have a ripple effect um 607 00:23:08,813 --> 00:23:10,925 throughout the department . And we're 608 00:23:10,925 --> 00:23:13,147 talking about , we have 852 general and 609 00:23:13,147 --> 00:23:16,790 flag officers , 650 that are up um for 610 00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:18,800 confirmation just by the end of the 611 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:21,609 year . Um I think Senator Tuberville 612 00:23:21,619 --> 00:23:23,841 certainly understands the importance of 613 00:23:23,841 --> 00:23:25,880 having a team , a cohesive team 614 00:23:25,890 --> 00:23:29,310 together uh to be able to um uh 615 00:23:29,319 --> 00:23:31,680 confront the challenges of the day to 616 00:23:31,689 --> 00:23:34,022 day challenges that this building faces . 617 00:23:34,022 --> 00:23:36,189 And so we would hope and we would urge 618 00:23:36,189 --> 00:23:38,300 that he left his hold . But has there 619 00:23:38,300 --> 00:23:40,411 been any discussions with the Senator 620 00:23:40,411 --> 00:23:42,522 or , or the administration on , on at 621 00:23:42,522 --> 00:23:44,578 least in the case of the top officer 622 00:23:44,578 --> 00:23:46,633 moving his to a floor vote and , and 623 00:23:46,633 --> 00:23:48,800 bypassing Tuberville ? Sure , the hold 624 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:51,022 is on him , but at least in the case of 625 00:23:51,022 --> 00:23:53,245 the top officer , you're 23 months away 626 00:23:53,245 --> 00:23:55,280 from , from having an acting . Um , 627 00:23:56,089 --> 00:23:57,811 what is there consideration or 628 00:23:57,811 --> 00:23:59,867 discussion around going to the floor 629 00:23:59,867 --> 00:24:01,867 for a vote on that ? Well , I'm not 630 00:24:01,867 --> 00:24:03,922 gonna get into private conversations 631 00:24:03,922 --> 00:24:05,867 between our office and , and , and 632 00:24:05,867 --> 00:24:05,839 senators , but what I will say is that 633 00:24:05,849 --> 00:24:08,069 we are urging the hold to be lifted , 634 00:24:08,189 --> 00:24:12,000 um blanket the hole to be lifted on all 635 00:24:12,010 --> 00:24:13,954 of our general and flag officers . 636 00:24:13,954 --> 00:24:16,060 Great Tony , the questions you , you 637 00:24:16,069 --> 00:24:18,489 talked about the 6.2 valuation . Yeah . 638 00:24:18,719 --> 00:24:20,886 Uh I don't expect you to know this off 639 00:24:20,886 --> 00:24:23,052 the top of your head , but can you get 640 00:24:23,052 --> 00:24:25,275 a written answer in terms of where that 641 00:24:25,275 --> 00:24:27,552 6.2 billion is going to be spent ? Now , 642 00:24:27,552 --> 00:24:29,775 this is all PD A money , this is all PD 643 00:24:29,775 --> 00:24:31,997 A money . I'm not , we wouldn't have it 644 00:24:31,997 --> 00:24:34,163 broken down . It would just be money . 645 00:24:34,163 --> 00:24:33,739 That's all real allocated into 646 00:24:33,750 --> 00:24:35,806 presidential drawdown packages . You 647 00:24:35,810 --> 00:24:37,921 can , can you check to see if there's 648 00:24:37,921 --> 00:24:39,810 gonna be specific line items that 649 00:24:39,810 --> 00:24:42,032 they're going to use the money for ? We 650 00:24:42,032 --> 00:24:41,430 would not again , it would just , it's 651 00:24:41,439 --> 00:24:43,328 another pot of money that we have 652 00:24:43,328 --> 00:24:45,383 access to . So when we have our next 653 00:24:45,383 --> 00:24:47,383 presidential drawdown um package to 654 00:24:47,383 --> 00:24:49,439 roll out , it's not like we're gonna 655 00:24:49,439 --> 00:24:51,606 have like allocated here . This is the 656 00:24:51,606 --> 00:24:53,661 $6 billion that we , you know have , 657 00:24:53,661 --> 00:24:55,772 have found through our reevaluation . 658 00:24:55,772 --> 00:24:57,995 It's just gonna go back into the pot of 659 00:24:57,995 --> 00:25:00,050 money that we have allocated for the 660 00:25:00,050 --> 00:25:01,995 PDAs and we will roll out the next 661 00:25:01,995 --> 00:25:03,550 package . When we have that 662 00:25:03,550 --> 00:25:05,328 announcement on the House Armed 663 00:25:05,328 --> 00:25:07,661 Services Committee markup in the markup , 664 00:25:07,661 --> 00:25:09,883 they cut out funding for a little known 665 00:25:09,883 --> 00:25:11,772 office here called the , the Cost 666 00:25:11,772 --> 00:25:13,828 Assessment weapons evaluation office 667 00:25:13,828 --> 00:25:15,849 inside baseball to a point . But uh 668 00:25:15,859 --> 00:25:18,229 this is an office that they expected 669 00:25:18,239 --> 00:25:20,579 like the 19 sixties under the mcnamara , 670 00:25:20,589 --> 00:25:24,359 then 2009 senators mccain levin Warner 671 00:25:24,739 --> 00:25:26,795 all had a weapons of Reform Act that 672 00:25:26,795 --> 00:25:29,930 was bipartisan agreed to . So this uh 673 00:25:29,939 --> 00:25:32,010 agency looks like it's gonna get was 674 00:25:32,020 --> 00:25:34,020 gonna be whacked by the House Armed 675 00:25:34,020 --> 00:25:36,020 Services Committee . What does this 676 00:25:36,020 --> 00:25:38,187 agency provide to the Pentagon that uh 677 00:25:38,187 --> 00:25:40,298 you know , maybe it is not obvious to 678 00:25:40,298 --> 00:25:42,520 someone outside the beltway ? Well , as 679 00:25:42,520 --> 00:25:44,742 you mentioned , the cost assessment and 680 00:25:44,742 --> 00:25:46,853 program evaluation office has enjoyed 681 00:25:46,853 --> 00:25:49,020 bipartisan support from its founding . 682 00:25:49,020 --> 00:25:50,839 Um Kate provides unbiased um 683 00:25:51,359 --> 00:25:53,969 independent decision support to the 684 00:25:53,979 --> 00:25:56,035 secretary and the deputy secretary . 685 00:25:56,109 --> 00:25:58,839 And um it does so in a , in a way that 686 00:25:58,849 --> 00:26:01,349 is transparent and collaborative uh 687 00:26:01,359 --> 00:26:03,530 creates options and presents those 688 00:26:03,540 --> 00:26:05,540 options to the secretary and deputy 689 00:26:05,540 --> 00:26:07,651 secretary to make decisions about the 690 00:26:07,651 --> 00:26:11,380 budget um and helps inform and guide 691 00:26:11,390 --> 00:26:13,223 senior leadership on how to make 692 00:26:13,223 --> 00:26:15,223 decisions um um within the , within 693 00:26:15,223 --> 00:26:17,655 this uh department . Um These options 694 00:26:17,665 --> 00:26:19,484 are also , of course , in , in 695 00:26:19,494 --> 00:26:21,272 consultation with our combatant 696 00:26:21,272 --> 00:26:23,854 commanders and our services , the air 697 00:26:23,864 --> 00:26:25,920 force says something is gonna cost X 698 00:26:25,920 --> 00:26:28,031 the cape would come back and say no , 699 00:26:28,031 --> 00:26:30,197 it's gonna cost Y and you need to have 700 00:26:30,197 --> 00:26:32,420 more money in it . Yeah , I mean , II I 701 00:26:32,420 --> 00:26:34,642 think again , well , just going back to 702 00:26:34,642 --> 00:26:37,280 why not commenting on pending 703 00:26:37,290 --> 00:26:40,660 legislation here . But , but again , is , 704 00:26:40,670 --> 00:26:42,726 is the check to ensure that taxpayer 705 00:26:42,726 --> 00:26:45,449 dollars are being spent efficiently and 706 00:26:45,459 --> 00:26:48,739 responsibly . Um And in terms of , I 707 00:26:48,750 --> 00:26:51,750 mean , one of the examples that uh cap 708 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:53,704 has done is make , ensure that our 709 00:26:53,704 --> 00:26:55,871 nuclear modernization program is fully 710 00:26:55,871 --> 00:26:57,871 funded each year . That's something 711 00:26:57,871 --> 00:26:59,982 that's incredibly important . We know 712 00:26:59,982 --> 00:26:59,635 that we're gonna have to continue to 713 00:26:59,645 --> 00:27:01,423 modernize and develop here as a 714 00:27:01,423 --> 00:27:03,534 department um and ensures that we are 715 00:27:03,534 --> 00:27:05,854 on pace to get that done in layman's 716 00:27:05,864 --> 00:27:07,586 language . They would tell the 717 00:27:07,586 --> 00:27:09,753 secretary that the services are saying 718 00:27:09,753 --> 00:27:11,753 that something's gonna cost X , but 719 00:27:11,753 --> 00:27:13,808 it's really gonna cost a lot more or 720 00:27:13,808 --> 00:27:17,420 less . That's the value they provide . 721 00:27:17,430 --> 00:27:19,597 That's right . They're the independent 722 00:27:19,597 --> 00:27:21,597 um analysis for the department that 723 00:27:21,597 --> 00:27:23,819 provides um a more holistic view of the 724 00:27:23,819 --> 00:27:26,760 budget , the la as this market process 725 00:27:26,770 --> 00:27:30,430 plays out . Thanks . Um 726 00:27:30,449 --> 00:27:32,227 You mentioned going back to the 727 00:27:32,227 --> 00:27:34,060 submarine rescue just to clarify 728 00:27:34,060 --> 00:27:36,282 something . Um You mentioned the dod is 729 00:27:36,282 --> 00:27:38,338 providing has already provided two C 730 00:27:38,338 --> 00:27:40,338 130 S and the Air National Guard is 731 00:27:40,338 --> 00:27:42,505 going to provide a third C 130 . Yes . 732 00:27:42,505 --> 00:27:44,616 By the end of today , I don't know if 733 00:27:44,616 --> 00:27:46,782 that they have already done so at this 734 00:27:46,782 --> 00:27:48,782 time or they will be doing so later 735 00:27:48,782 --> 00:27:50,893 today . The two C 130 s , can you say 736 00:27:50,893 --> 00:27:53,116 who they belong , who those belong to ? 737 00:27:53,116 --> 00:27:54,893 Um They're under the purview of 738 00:27:54,893 --> 00:27:57,116 Transcom . So I direct you more uh from 739 00:27:57,116 --> 00:27:59,171 for further questions that you might 740 00:27:59,171 --> 00:27:58,790 have , I would direct you of Transcom 741 00:27:59,109 --> 00:28:01,331 and the International Guard C 1 30 . Do 742 00:28:01,331 --> 00:28:03,387 you have the unit that that's coming 743 00:28:03,387 --> 00:28:05,442 from ? I do OK . That's fine . Thank 744 00:28:05,442 --> 00:28:07,776 you , Sabrina . So you talked about the , 745 00:28:07,776 --> 00:28:09,942 the Ukrainian Cultural offensive ? You 746 00:28:09,942 --> 00:28:12,053 expressed the confidence that they're 747 00:28:12,053 --> 00:28:14,276 gonna be successful , although you said 748 00:28:14,276 --> 00:28:16,387 it's gonna be to fight and it's gonna 749 00:28:16,387 --> 00:28:18,498 take some time considering the losses 750 00:28:18,498 --> 00:28:20,609 that they suffered so far . Um , from 751 00:28:20,609 --> 00:28:22,553 what we're seeing on , on , on the 752 00:28:22,553 --> 00:28:24,720 ground . Do you think the Russians are 753 00:28:24,720 --> 00:28:26,609 gonna be able to adapt or they're 754 00:28:26,609 --> 00:28:28,609 basically adapting ? And what are , 755 00:28:28,609 --> 00:28:30,887 what are you basing your confidence on ? 756 00:28:30,887 --> 00:28:32,942 Are you seeing early indication that 757 00:28:32,942 --> 00:28:34,720 this counter offensive is being 758 00:28:34,720 --> 00:28:36,609 successful in achieving what they 759 00:28:36,609 --> 00:28:38,776 needed to achieve within the first two 760 00:28:38,776 --> 00:28:40,998 weeks , maybe ? Well , I think what I'm 761 00:28:40,998 --> 00:28:40,826 reiterating is what you heard from the 762 00:28:40,836 --> 00:28:43,058 secretary and Chairman Milley last week 763 00:28:43,058 --> 00:28:45,656 in Brussels that we believe we have and 764 00:28:45,666 --> 00:28:47,777 not just us , I should say again , we 765 00:28:47,777 --> 00:28:49,777 had a Ukraine defense contact group 766 00:28:49,777 --> 00:28:52,576 last week , over 15 partner nations and 767 00:28:52,586 --> 00:28:55,660 allies met in pulling efforts and 768 00:28:55,670 --> 00:28:57,670 resources together for Ukraine . So 769 00:28:57,680 --> 00:29:00,013 this is not just a United States effort , 770 00:29:00,013 --> 00:29:02,699 this is a worldwide effort to provide 771 00:29:02,709 --> 00:29:04,876 Ukraine what it needs to be successful 772 00:29:04,876 --> 00:29:07,098 on the battlefield . We believe that we 773 00:29:07,098 --> 00:29:09,540 have provided Ukraine the systems , the 774 00:29:09,550 --> 00:29:11,939 capabilities that they need right now 775 00:29:11,949 --> 00:29:14,239 in the fight , we know this is going to 776 00:29:14,250 --> 00:29:16,194 be a tough fight . Of course , the 777 00:29:16,194 --> 00:29:18,194 Russians are going to adapt as they 778 00:29:18,194 --> 00:29:20,250 would have from the beginning of the 779 00:29:20,250 --> 00:29:22,417 war of , you know , things that work , 780 00:29:22,417 --> 00:29:22,175 things that didn't . Um But so have the 781 00:29:22,185 --> 00:29:24,305 Ukrainians . Uh You've heard the 782 00:29:24,314 --> 00:29:27,025 secretary speak about the , um , the 783 00:29:27,035 --> 00:29:29,084 training that we've conducted and 784 00:29:29,094 --> 00:29:32,665 continue to conduct , um , uh overseas 785 00:29:32,675 --> 00:29:34,897 that is helping the Ukrainians in their 786 00:29:34,897 --> 00:29:36,897 fight every day . Um And we believe 787 00:29:36,897 --> 00:29:39,474 that what we have supplied them will 788 00:29:39,484 --> 00:29:41,484 enable them to be successful on the 789 00:29:41,484 --> 00:29:43,206 battlefield . And we , we have 790 00:29:43,206 --> 00:29:45,262 accounted for losses . We know there 791 00:29:45,262 --> 00:29:44,974 are going to be losses on the 792 00:29:44,984 --> 00:29:47,744 battlefield . Um That's the unfortunate 793 00:29:47,755 --> 00:29:50,920 part of this war . Um But it's 794 00:29:50,930 --> 00:29:52,597 something that we've seen the 795 00:29:52,597 --> 00:29:54,930 Ukrainians overcome since the beginning . 796 00:29:54,930 --> 00:29:57,097 Um And so again , the packages that we 797 00:29:57,097 --> 00:29:58,597 provide , they are done in 798 00:29:58,597 --> 00:30:00,486 collaboration with the Ukrainians 799 00:30:00,486 --> 00:30:02,729 meeting their needs . Um finding out 800 00:30:02,739 --> 00:30:04,795 what else they need and , and making 801 00:30:04,795 --> 00:30:06,961 sure that they get that in time on the 802 00:30:06,961 --> 00:30:09,183 battlefield , I can take a few more and 803 00:30:09,183 --> 00:30:11,072 then I'll have to wrap up . Yes , 804 00:30:11,510 --> 00:30:13,621 signal magazine here to ask about the 805 00:30:13,621 --> 00:30:16,430 new NATO Ukraine Defense Council that's 806 00:30:16,439 --> 00:30:19,260 been proposed . How is the secretary 807 00:30:19,270 --> 00:30:22,300 working to help shape this council and 808 00:30:22,310 --> 00:30:24,477 any considerations you can share about 809 00:30:24,477 --> 00:30:26,532 kind of the US point of view of , of 810 00:30:26,532 --> 00:30:28,588 how it should be established or look 811 00:30:28,588 --> 00:30:30,643 like and be , you know , compared to 812 00:30:30,643 --> 00:30:32,532 what the US is providing and NATO 813 00:30:32,532 --> 00:30:34,699 allies are providing as far as support 814 00:30:34,699 --> 00:30:36,643 to Ukraine . Just to clarify you . 815 00:30:36,643 --> 00:30:38,421 Speaking of um NATO , potential 816 00:30:38,421 --> 00:30:40,588 ascension of Ukraine to NATO , is that 817 00:30:40,588 --> 00:30:42,699 where you're the the preliminary step 818 00:30:42,699 --> 00:30:44,754 before that the NATO Ukraine Defense 819 00:30:44,754 --> 00:30:46,810 Council that's been so , I think the 820 00:30:46,810 --> 00:30:48,754 secretary has said this before and 821 00:30:48,754 --> 00:30:50,810 something that , um , we continue to 822 00:30:50,810 --> 00:30:52,977 highlight is every country has its own 823 00:30:52,977 --> 00:30:55,032 path . Um , when it comes to uh , uh 824 00:30:55,032 --> 00:30:57,540 membership in NATO , um , we are 825 00:30:57,550 --> 00:30:59,550 certainly encouraged by what we are 826 00:30:59,550 --> 00:31:01,772 seeing , um , with Sweden . And when it 827 00:31:01,772 --> 00:31:03,994 comes to Ukraine , they will have their 828 00:31:03,994 --> 00:31:06,161 own path , um , to NATO ascension , we 829 00:31:06,161 --> 00:31:08,217 have certainly have NATO has an open 830 00:31:08,217 --> 00:31:10,550 door policy when it comes to membership . 831 00:31:10,550 --> 00:31:12,772 Um , What we are focused on here at the 832 00:31:12,772 --> 00:31:14,883 department is making sure Ukraine has 833 00:31:14,883 --> 00:31:17,161 what it needs on the battlefield today . 834 00:31:17,161 --> 00:31:19,328 We are of course committed to its long 835 00:31:19,328 --> 00:31:21,383 term efforts , but our efforts right 836 00:31:21,383 --> 00:31:23,383 now are are focused on the security 837 00:31:23,383 --> 00:31:25,550 packages that we're providing that you 838 00:31:25,550 --> 00:31:27,875 see us um roll out every week or so . 839 00:31:27,885 --> 00:31:30,135 Um And what we can get to the , what we 840 00:31:30,145 --> 00:31:32,367 can get to them on the battlefield that 841 00:31:32,367 --> 00:31:34,423 they need right away . Great . Yes , 842 00:31:34,423 --> 00:31:36,312 right over here . Um Hi , I had a 843 00:31:36,312 --> 00:31:38,256 budget question as well . Um House 844 00:31:38,256 --> 00:31:40,256 appropriators have moved to cut the 845 00:31:40,256 --> 00:31:42,256 multi year um munition request . Um 846 00:31:42,256 --> 00:31:44,201 that Dod has said it needs to help 847 00:31:44,201 --> 00:31:47,160 prepare for um a potential conflict in 848 00:31:47,170 --> 00:31:49,170 the Indo Pacific region . They said 849 00:31:49,170 --> 00:31:51,003 that Dod has not provided enough 850 00:31:51,003 --> 00:31:52,837 information has Dod been back to 851 00:31:52,837 --> 00:31:54,948 Congress to sort of walk them through 852 00:31:54,948 --> 00:31:57,050 the cost savings and sort of the 853 00:31:57,060 --> 00:31:59,282 process of getting to these contracts . 854 00:31:59,540 --> 00:32:01,540 So in terms of again , it's hard to 855 00:32:01,540 --> 00:32:03,762 comment on pending legislation . So I'm 856 00:32:03,762 --> 00:32:05,800 gonna refrain from that . Um The 857 00:32:05,810 --> 00:32:07,921 department is of course in touch with 858 00:32:07,921 --> 00:32:10,270 Congress and um are are working with 859 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:13,290 them to , to address what we need in , 860 00:32:13,300 --> 00:32:15,244 in the budget . And so I won't get 861 00:32:15,244 --> 00:32:17,244 ahead of any of those conversations 862 00:32:17,244 --> 00:32:19,078 happening . Um And , and pending 863 00:32:19,078 --> 00:32:21,411 legislation is again hard to comment on , 864 00:32:21,411 --> 00:32:23,522 but I think Congress is well aware of 865 00:32:23,522 --> 00:32:26,530 the um the the pacing challenge that 866 00:32:26,540 --> 00:32:30,030 the PR C proposes uh to um the US 867 00:32:30,040 --> 00:32:32,410 military and , and our country . And so , 868 00:32:32,520 --> 00:32:34,687 um we are continuing to modernize , we 869 00:32:34,687 --> 00:32:36,909 are continuing to meet that challenge . 870 00:32:36,909 --> 00:32:39,131 Um But I just don't have more to add at 871 00:32:39,131 --> 00:32:41,250 this point , address what impact this 872 00:32:41,260 --> 00:32:43,149 would have on readiness um in the 873 00:32:43,149 --> 00:32:45,260 production base if you do not receive 874 00:32:45,260 --> 00:32:47,427 the dollars to move forward with these 875 00:32:47,427 --> 00:32:49,427 contracts . Well , I think that's a 876 00:32:49,427 --> 00:32:51,538 great question but I'm just not going 877 00:32:51,538 --> 00:32:51,250 to engage in hypotheticals right now . 878 00:32:51,260 --> 00:32:53,910 Thank you . Yes , at the back to the 879 00:32:53,920 --> 00:32:57,000 Submersible um is preparing for a 880 00:32:57,010 --> 00:32:59,079 potential deployment of underwater 881 00:32:59,089 --> 00:33:01,311 drones to aid with that effort . And is 882 00:33:01,311 --> 00:33:03,489 that some , is that type of assistance 883 00:33:03,500 --> 00:33:05,556 something that has offered the Coast 884 00:33:05,556 --> 00:33:07,667 Guard ? I , I just don't have more to 885 00:33:07,667 --> 00:33:09,722 provide at this time . We're working 886 00:33:09,722 --> 00:33:11,667 closely with the Coast Guard . The 887 00:33:11,667 --> 00:33:11,469 Coast Guard is the lead for this 888 00:33:11,479 --> 00:33:14,150 mission right now . Um You know , we're , 889 00:33:14,160 --> 00:33:16,689 we're of course thinking of uh those on 890 00:33:16,699 --> 00:33:18,890 board , um the Submersible and , and 891 00:33:18,900 --> 00:33:21,569 their families and uh we are doing 892 00:33:21,579 --> 00:33:23,755 everything we can right now to , to 893 00:33:23,765 --> 00:33:27,724 provide um air search and support . Um 894 00:33:27,734 --> 00:33:29,845 If that , you know , changes , if our 895 00:33:29,845 --> 00:33:31,734 mission evolves , I'd be happy to 896 00:33:31,734 --> 00:33:33,845 update you . But at this time , right 897 00:33:33,845 --> 00:33:33,635 now again , we're working with the 898 00:33:33,645 --> 00:33:35,701 Coast Guard . Um They're the lead on 899 00:33:35,704 --> 00:33:37,537 this and , and we'll continue to 900 00:33:37,537 --> 00:33:39,648 support . Great . I'll go to Mike and 901 00:33:39,648 --> 00:33:41,871 then I'll , this will be the last one . 902 00:33:41,871 --> 00:33:43,593 comment about the story in the 903 00:33:43,593 --> 00:33:45,815 intercept magazine about the Pentagon's 904 00:33:45,815 --> 00:33:48,037 Protective Service battalion monitoring 905 00:33:48,037 --> 00:33:50,380 social media to run down main tweets 906 00:33:50,390 --> 00:33:52,790 about the General Melley and the other 907 00:33:52,800 --> 00:33:55,560 top military brass . Or can you comment 908 00:33:55,569 --> 00:33:57,791 on that at all ? Is it true or not ? Or 909 00:33:57,791 --> 00:33:59,902 I , I just don't have any comment for 910 00:33:59,902 --> 00:33:59,410 that . I'm sorry , I haven't seen the 911 00:33:59,420 --> 00:34:01,829 reporting on that . Great . Thanks all . 912 00:34:01,839 --> 00:34:03,089 We will wrap this up for today .