WEBVTT 00:03.140 --> 00:06.890 Alright . Hi everyone happy friday . 00:06.900 --> 00:09.300 Um so I just have a few things at the 00:09.300 --> 00:11.600 top and then I'd be happy to go in and 00:11.600 --> 00:13.900 take your questions . So just at the 00:13.900 --> 00:16.100 top . Today today the department is 00:16.100 --> 00:19.020 announcing approximately $400 million 00:19.030 --> 00:21.141 in additional security assistance for 00:21.141 --> 00:23.170 Ukraine under the Ukraine Security 00:23.170 --> 00:25.448 Assistance Initiative or U . S . A . I . 00:25.580 --> 00:27.580 The USA I package underscores the 00:27.580 --> 00:29.358 continued U . S . Commitment to 00:29.358 --> 00:31.358 supporting Ukraine by meeting their 00:31.358 --> 00:33.358 most urgent requirements while also 00:33.358 --> 00:35.247 providing while also building the 00:35.247 --> 00:37.358 capacity of Ukraine's armed forces to 00:37.358 --> 00:39.413 defend its sovereignty over the long 00:39.413 --> 00:41.230 term . This announcement , this 00:41.230 --> 00:43.341 announcement represents the beginning 00:43.341 --> 00:45.341 of a contracting process to provide 00:45.341 --> 00:47.341 additional priority capabilities to 00:47.341 --> 00:49.286 Ukraine . Some of the capabilities 00:49.286 --> 00:51.397 include funding to refurbish hawk air 00:51.397 --> 00:53.286 defense missiles for inclusion in 00:53.286 --> 00:55.820 future presidential drawdown packages 00:55.830 --> 00:59.400 45 refurbished t 72 00:59.400 --> 01:01.240 tanks with advanced optics , 01:01.240 --> 01:03.700 communications and armor packages . 01:04.050 --> 01:07.340 1100 phoenix ghost tactical unmanned 01:07.350 --> 01:10.770 aerial systems , 40 armored riverine 01:10.770 --> 01:13.470 boats funding to refurbish 01:13.480 --> 01:17.250 250 m triple one triple 01:17.250 --> 01:20.400 17 armored security vehicles provided 01:20.410 --> 01:23.250 um via the excess excess defense 01:23.260 --> 01:26.560 articles , tactical secure 01:26.560 --> 01:28.250 communication systems and and 01:28.250 --> 01:30.420 surveillance systems and funding for 01:30.420 --> 01:33.370 maintenance and sustainment of note on 01:33.370 --> 01:36.260 the overhaul , t 72 tanks included in 01:36.260 --> 01:38.149 this package . They are part of a 01:38.149 --> 01:40.350 trilateral coordinated effort with the 01:40.350 --> 01:43.270 Netherlands and the Czech Republic . Um 01:43.280 --> 01:45.113 The USa I release and trilateral 01:45.113 --> 01:46.947 statement should be available on 01:46.947 --> 01:48.947 defense dot gov . Hopefully shortly 01:48.947 --> 01:51.460 hitting your inboxes . So in total , 01:51.490 --> 01:53.490 the United States has now committed 01:53.490 --> 01:54.960 more than $18.9 billion 01:54.960 --> 01:58.760 since the beginning of the Biden 01:58.760 --> 02:01.530 Harris administration . Since 2014 , 02:01.540 --> 02:03.484 the us has committed more than $21 02:03.484 --> 02:06.860 billion $18.2 billion 02:06.860 --> 02:11.310 February 02:11.310 --> 02:15.110 24 , 1 , last note , Finally , as 02:15.110 --> 02:17.277 mentioned on Tuesday from the podium , 02:17.277 --> 02:19.730 Secretary Austin Welcome home members 02:19.730 --> 02:22.270 of the 18th Airborne Corps who deployed 02:22.270 --> 02:25.090 to Germany in February 2022 to assure 02:25.090 --> 02:27.146 our NATO allies and to deter Russian 02:27.146 --> 02:29.740 aggression following Russia's brutal 02:29.740 --> 02:31.796 and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine . 02:31.796 --> 02:33.629 Their mission swiftly evolved to 02:33.629 --> 02:35.570 support the execution of historic 02:35.570 --> 02:37.737 levels of security assistance provided 02:37.737 --> 02:39.848 by the United States and our partners 02:39.848 --> 02:42.014 and allies around the world to support 02:42.014 --> 02:44.126 Ukraine's defense . The United States 02:44.126 --> 02:45.903 remains committed to supporting 02:45.903 --> 02:47.737 Ukraine's near term needs on the 02:47.737 --> 02:49.403 battlefield and its long term 02:49.403 --> 02:51.237 requirements to deter and defend 02:51.237 --> 02:53.403 against future Russian aggression . To 02:53.403 --> 02:55.348 maintain the historic level of our 02:55.348 --> 02:57.570 ongoing security assistance Support for 02:57.570 --> 02:59.792 Ukraine . I'm pleased to announce today 02:59.792 --> 03:01.959 that the department will establish the 03:01.959 --> 03:03.959 security assistance group Ukraine . 03:03.959 --> 03:06.126 What we will call Sag you , which is a 03:06.126 --> 03:08.340 dedicated headquarters element in 03:08.450 --> 03:10.770 Wiesbaden Germany and under U . S . 03:10.770 --> 03:12.714 European command to coordinate our 03:12.714 --> 03:14.714 efforts . This headquarters will be 03:14.714 --> 03:16.603 similarly scaled and scope to our 03:16.603 --> 03:18.826 current footprint but it will ensure we 03:18.826 --> 03:20.826 are postured to continue supporting 03:20.826 --> 03:22.937 Ukraine over the long term . And with 03:22.937 --> 03:24.992 that I will take your questions . We 03:24.992 --> 03:26.659 will turn to the phones first 03:26.659 --> 03:29.630 terracotta ap . Hey , thanks for doing 03:29.630 --> 03:32.070 this . Um on the USA , I you said about 03:32.070 --> 03:34.014 400 million , do you have an exact 03:34.014 --> 03:36.830 figure of what this us I ai number is , 03:36.840 --> 03:39.650 I would say approximately $400 million . 03:39.650 --> 03:42.750 I don't have the exact specific number . 03:44.640 --> 03:46.418 Okay , so these will all be for 03:46.418 --> 03:48.362 contracts for like for the phoenix 03:48.362 --> 03:50.620 ghost , how long would it be that you 03:50.620 --> 03:52.731 anticipate before those systems would 03:52.731 --> 03:56.610 get to Ukraine ? So um on the phoenix 03:56.610 --> 03:59.110 ghost , as you know in previous U . S . 03:59.110 --> 04:01.166 Ai packages that we announced . Um I 04:01.166 --> 04:03.930 believe in june we had announced um uh 04:03.940 --> 04:07.170 580 80 phoenix ghosts um that we 04:07.180 --> 04:09.400 committed to Ukraine , a portion of 04:09.400 --> 04:11.456 these have already been delivered to 04:11.456 --> 04:13.622 Ukraine and we've seen success already 04:13.622 --> 04:15.733 on the battlefield , but I don't have 04:15.733 --> 04:17.789 an exact timeline for when this next 04:17.789 --> 04:21.070 tranche will be delivered . Okay , 04:21.080 --> 04:23.413 great . I will take it over to the room . 04:23.413 --> 04:25.358 Yes , go ahead . Um Just wanted to 04:25.358 --> 04:28.430 follow up on the T 72 is this the I 04:28.440 --> 04:30.607 believe this is the first provision of 04:30.607 --> 04:32.829 tanks as part of security assistance to 04:32.829 --> 04:34.884 Ukraine , Is that correct ? From the 04:34.884 --> 04:34.650 United States ? It is the first 04:34.660 --> 04:36.890 provision of tanks and these but just 04:36.890 --> 04:40.000 to clarify and make sure that um It's 04:40.000 --> 04:42.167 understood these tanks are coming from 04:42.167 --> 04:44.389 the Czech Republic defense industry and 04:44.389 --> 04:46.850 the United States is paying for 45 of 04:46.850 --> 04:48.628 those to be refurbished and the 04:48.628 --> 04:50.461 government of the Netherlands is 04:50.461 --> 04:52.294 matching our commitment and will 04:52.294 --> 04:54.294 provide an additional 45 tanks . So 04:54.294 --> 04:56.350 we're looking at a total of 90 tanks 04:56.350 --> 04:59.340 going into Ukraine . Um and as you 04:59.340 --> 05:01.173 mentioned these will be the most 05:01.173 --> 05:03.062 technically advanced tanks on the 05:03.062 --> 05:05.980 battlefield . Another Ukraine question . 05:06.390 --> 05:08.390 So Russia said today that more than 05:08.390 --> 05:10.501 5000 civilians are being removed from 05:10.501 --> 05:12.668 Carson on a daily basis . How does the 05:12.668 --> 05:14.612 US view that ? Is this a voluntary 05:14.612 --> 05:16.557 process or is it does it amount to 05:16.557 --> 05:18.612 deportation ? So we've seen the open 05:18.612 --> 05:20.830 source reporting there . Um I can't 05:20.840 --> 05:24.440 independently verify exactly more on 05:24.440 --> 05:26.990 those evacuations . Were seeing Ukraine 05:27.000 --> 05:30.730 um continue to uh advance on its 05:30.730 --> 05:32.952 counter offensive . We're seeing Russia 05:32.952 --> 05:35.174 shore up its defensive lines around her 05:35.174 --> 05:37.390 person . But um I just have nothing 05:37.390 --> 05:39.223 further to add on those on those 05:39.223 --> 05:41.334 reports . I can take , yeah laura and 05:41.334 --> 05:43.557 then I'll come back to you just just to 05:43.557 --> 05:45.723 clarify on the tanks again I'm sure if 05:45.723 --> 05:47.834 I misunderstood you . So it's can you 05:47.834 --> 05:49.946 say how many tanks we are sending and 05:49.946 --> 05:52.112 how how many of them are U . S . Tanks 05:52.112 --> 05:54.334 and how many of them are check or other 05:54.334 --> 05:57.230 foreign . Sure so none of these are U . 05:57.230 --> 05:59.452 S . Tanks they're coming from the Czech 05:59.452 --> 06:01.670 Republic defense base . So we are 06:01.670 --> 06:03.940 paying for 45 of these to be 06:03.940 --> 06:06.051 refurbished and the government of the 06:06.051 --> 06:08.273 Netherlands is paying for an additional 06:08.273 --> 06:10.162 45 to be refurbished . So they're 06:10.162 --> 06:12.384 matching our commitment . So a total of 06:12.384 --> 06:15.820 90 tanks will be delivered to Ukraine 06:15.830 --> 06:18.890 and um just a foot stomp that a little 06:18.890 --> 06:22.750 bit the this agreement between um 06:22.760 --> 06:24.927 the Czech Republic and the Netherlands 06:24.927 --> 06:28.040 is a direct outcome um of the Ukraine 06:28.040 --> 06:30.350 Defense Contact group . Um And so this 06:30.350 --> 06:32.660 is just one of a deliverable that came 06:32.660 --> 06:34.827 from from the meeting that was earlier 06:34.827 --> 06:37.570 this year . So the USa i money is going 06:37.580 --> 06:41.400 to the check defense space to the 06:41.400 --> 06:43.567 refurbishment of these tanks which are 06:43.567 --> 06:45.567 owned by the Czech Republic . Yes . 06:45.567 --> 06:47.622 Okay . And then the checks will send 06:47.622 --> 06:49.622 them . So how long will it take for 06:49.622 --> 06:51.900 those tanks to actually get to Ukraine ? 06:51.900 --> 06:54.122 Um Just a minute here . Uh I believe we 06:54.122 --> 06:57.680 are anticipating a So the 06:57.680 --> 07:00.350 contracting actions are going to begin 07:00.350 --> 07:02.572 soon and then some of the tanks will be 07:02.572 --> 07:04.870 available to Ukraine before the end of 07:04.870 --> 07:07.100 December . So the end of this year um 07:07.100 --> 07:08.933 with additional deliveries to be 07:08.933 --> 07:11.990 completed in 2023 . Great . And then I 07:12.000 --> 07:13.833 could just just follow up on the 07:13.833 --> 07:15.944 Security Assistance Group announced . 07:15.944 --> 07:18.380 Is that an evolution of the defense 07:18.380 --> 07:20.602 contact group or is it a separate thing 07:20.602 --> 07:23.680 separate ? So the The Security 07:23.680 --> 07:26.130 Assistance Group . So this argue it's 07:26.130 --> 07:29.250 not a new mission . Um this is a more 07:29.250 --> 07:32.590 effective and streamlined way to manage 07:32.590 --> 07:34.757 the process and this is a continuation 07:34.757 --> 07:36.868 of building on the work that the 18th 07:36.868 --> 07:39.840 Airborne Corps already had had done in 07:39.850 --> 07:43.730 in um in the region . Um And 07:43.730 --> 07:46.110 so this just the Saggy was a logical 07:46.110 --> 07:48.520 way to continue to provide short term 07:48.520 --> 07:50.298 assistance , but also long term 07:50.298 --> 07:52.464 assistance to Ukraine . And as you saw 07:52.464 --> 07:54.576 the president spoke to this in Madrid 07:54.576 --> 07:56.670 that um we remain committed to to 07:56.670 --> 07:59.240 Ukraine . Um , uh , for as long as it 07:59.240 --> 08:01.240 takes , the Saggy was going to help 08:01.240 --> 08:03.407 with those long term efforts . Great , 08:03.407 --> 08:06.390 I'll go to Barbara in the back on your 08:06.400 --> 08:09.350 own public website . You posted remarks 08:09.360 --> 08:12.470 uh , from Admiral Charles Richard had a 08:12.480 --> 08:15.460 U . S . Strategic command and he said 08:15.470 --> 08:19.410 in remarks just yesterday , uh , as 08:19.410 --> 08:21.243 I assess our level of deterrence 08:21.243 --> 08:23.360 against china , the ship is slowly 08:23.360 --> 08:25.860 sinking . It's sinking slowly , but it 08:25.870 --> 08:28.080 is sinking as fundamentally . They're 08:28.080 --> 08:30.247 putting capability in the field faster 08:30.247 --> 08:32.469 than we are . Those curves keep going . 08:32.469 --> 08:34.580 It isn't going to matter how good our 08:34.580 --> 08:36.590 operating plan is or how good our 08:36.590 --> 08:39.250 commanders are or how good our horses 08:39.250 --> 08:41.306 are . We're not gonna have enough of 08:41.306 --> 08:43.720 them . And that is a very near term 08:43.730 --> 08:46.850 problem . So he oversees much of 08:46.850 --> 08:49.460 America's nuclear force and he's put in 08:49.460 --> 08:52.430 the time frame and specifics on this . 08:52.440 --> 08:55.960 Just days after you released your 08:55.970 --> 08:57.980 military strategy and your nuclear 08:57.980 --> 09:00.280 posture review of very near term 09:00.280 --> 09:02.880 problem . You don't have enough 09:02.880 --> 09:04.824 commanders . You don't have enough 09:04.824 --> 09:06.936 weapons . I don't know what he really 09:06.936 --> 09:08.824 means about you not having enough 09:08.824 --> 09:11.880 horses . But is this not ? Do you have 09:11.880 --> 09:13.936 concerns that this is an operational 09:13.936 --> 09:16.080 security problem that he has now been 09:16.090 --> 09:18.340 so specific uh 09:18.350 --> 09:21.190 about the 09:21.200 --> 09:25.180 the the lack of american 09:25.180 --> 09:27.790 capability , nuclear capability against 09:27.790 --> 09:29.850 the chinese and that he's put a 09:29.850 --> 09:33.490 timeframe on it very near term problem . 09:33.500 --> 09:36.890 So I think we I think we feel very 09:36.890 --> 09:39.110 confident in our capabilities when it 09:39.110 --> 09:41.980 comes to china or just genera in the 09:41.980 --> 09:45.440 pacific . Uh the secretary laid out in 09:45.440 --> 09:47.496 his national defense strategy , that 09:47.496 --> 09:50.300 china remains our pacing challenge . We 09:50.300 --> 09:53.490 know that um in order to compete with 09:53.490 --> 09:56.510 china , we are we are doing more when 09:56.510 --> 09:59.220 it comes to our own readiness and our 09:59.230 --> 10:03.000 own on our own exercises . But I 10:03.000 --> 10:06.690 think um I think we we definitely are 10:06.700 --> 10:09.870 um monitoring things that are happening 10:09.870 --> 10:12.170 in the indo pacific and remain ready to 10:12.170 --> 10:14.430 act if needed . You know , concerns 10:14.430 --> 10:16.540 about what he publicly said that we 10:16.540 --> 10:18.960 have a very near term problem . I would 10:18.960 --> 10:21.170 refer you to Admiral Richard for more 10:21.170 --> 10:23.250 on that . Can I ask you also very 10:23.250 --> 10:25.930 briefly , last friday , there was not 10:25.930 --> 10:28.152 an insignificant security breach at the 10:28.152 --> 10:30.041 pentagon which was never publicly 10:30.041 --> 10:34.040 revealed suspect uh in a 10:34.040 --> 10:37.060 high speed vehicle uh made it a good 10:37.070 --> 10:39.126 distance around the perimeter of the 10:39.126 --> 10:41.280 pentagon before law enforcement could 10:41.290 --> 10:45.220 stop this suspect ? Not . Uh I think 10:45.220 --> 10:46.942 everyone believes that the law 10:46.942 --> 10:49.164 enforcement officers absolutely did the 10:49.164 --> 10:51.164 best they could . So it's not about 10:51.164 --> 10:52.942 them , but why was the pentagon 10:52.942 --> 10:56.170 workforce not told that there had been 10:56.170 --> 10:58.720 such a significant intrusion in 10:58.720 --> 11:00.900 perimeter security that somebody made 11:00.900 --> 11:03.840 it a very significant distance around 11:03.840 --> 11:06.460 the building , through to security 11:06.470 --> 11:08.640 barriers . The public statement that 11:08.650 --> 11:12.420 came from uh management only said that 11:12.420 --> 11:14.740 they stopped the person quickly , never 11:14.740 --> 11:17.230 acknowledged that this suspect made it 11:17.240 --> 11:20.470 past to perimeter security points . And 11:20.480 --> 11:23.270 are you reviewing perimeter security ? 11:23.280 --> 11:25.580 So thank you for the question . Um , 11:25.590 --> 11:28.200 just in terms of answering the question , 11:28.210 --> 11:30.480 you know , first I say that we are 11:30.480 --> 11:33.240 incredibly grateful for Pippa police 11:33.240 --> 11:35.351 officers for everything that they did 11:35.351 --> 11:37.518 um to apprehend the driver and um keep 11:37.518 --> 11:40.980 this building secure . Um we don't uh 11:40.990 --> 11:43.340 we do not announce security threats to 11:43.340 --> 11:45.150 the pentagon nor calm on law 11:45.150 --> 11:47.500 enforcement issues , especially when 11:47.500 --> 11:49.570 there are ongoing investigations or 11:49.570 --> 11:52.110 pending legal action . Um , the only 11:52.110 --> 11:54.480 exception to that is if there is an 11:54.480 --> 11:56.536 immediate safety issue and there was 11:56.536 --> 11:58.536 not at the time , uh , that was not 11:58.536 --> 12:01.630 assessed . So , um Secretary Austin um 12:01.630 --> 12:04.080 our leadership here has full confidence 12:04.320 --> 12:07.740 in our police and our pentagon force 12:07.740 --> 12:10.200 protection and um we thank them for 12:10.210 --> 12:12.370 what they did last week . I'm gonna 12:12.370 --> 12:15.830 take it . Yeah . Uh , just one quick 12:15.830 --> 12:17.941 question for North Korea . Yeah . How 12:17.941 --> 12:19.663 much is the pentagon seriously 12:19.663 --> 12:21.940 concerned that the recent north Korea's 12:21.940 --> 12:24.120 provocations , could we do 12:24.130 --> 12:26.910 miscalculation and unintended military 12:26.910 --> 12:29.825 conflict on the korean peninsula . I 12:29.825 --> 12:32.047 think you were here yesterday , you saw 12:32.047 --> 12:34.214 the secretary and his rock counterpart 12:34.214 --> 12:36.565 speak to this . Um you know , these the 12:36.565 --> 12:38.787 actions that North Korea has taken with 12:38.787 --> 12:41.105 uh missile launches continue to 12:41.105 --> 12:43.465 destabilize the region . Um , but I 12:43.465 --> 12:46.045 would say further commit ourselves and 12:46.055 --> 12:49.900 um uh further , uh , I would 12:49.900 --> 12:52.830 say build our alliance when it comes to 12:52.840 --> 12:55.530 South Korea and Japan . Um as you know , 12:55.530 --> 12:57.530 we're conducting vigilant storm now 12:57.530 --> 12:59.697 that exercise was extended for another 12:59.697 --> 13:02.660 day um in order to shore up um not only 13:02.660 --> 13:05.140 our alliance but to show that um our 13:05.140 --> 13:07.360 strength and and you know that we can 13:07.360 --> 13:09.582 deter aggression when when needed . I'm 13:09.582 --> 13:11.638 gonna go to the phones and then I'll 13:11.638 --> 13:13.804 come back into the room . Um , Here we 13:13.804 --> 13:16.138 go . Sorry about that . Uh Jeff shuttle . 13:16.950 --> 13:19.340 Thank you . I understand if these 13:19.340 --> 13:21.810 questions have to be taken . But can 13:21.810 --> 13:25.630 you say which variant of T 70 two's uh 13:25.640 --> 13:28.340 the U . S . Is paying for whether they 13:28.340 --> 13:31.930 have any type of active denial system 13:31.940 --> 13:34.700 and I believe they have a 125 13:34.700 --> 13:36.510 millimeter gun . Where is the 13:36.510 --> 13:39.130 ammunition coming from ? Considering D . 13:39.130 --> 13:41.560 O . D . Has often said that post soviet 13:41.560 --> 13:44.930 stockpiles and new uh NATO members are 13:44.930 --> 13:47.400 exhausted . Thanks Jeff for the 13:47.400 --> 13:50.160 question . Um in terms of where the 13:50.160 --> 13:52.216 ammunition is coming from , you know 13:52.216 --> 13:54.271 when I have more details or anything 13:54.271 --> 13:56.438 more to announce . I'd be happy to get 13:56.438 --> 13:58.660 back to you on that . I don't have more 13:58.660 --> 14:00.660 specifics on the tanks themselves . 14:00.660 --> 14:02.660 They're they're the T 72 tanks . Um 14:02.660 --> 14:04.827 They're source from the Czech Republic 14:04.827 --> 14:07.770 defense industry . Um so I just don't 14:07.770 --> 14:09.770 have more on that . I'd be happy to 14:09.770 --> 14:11.937 take that question though and get back 14:11.937 --> 14:14.159 to you . Great . I'm not gonna take one 14:14.159 --> 14:13.740 more from the phone and then I'll come 14:13.740 --> 14:15.810 back into the room . Um , IDris , 14:15.810 --> 14:18.870 Reuters , I need to follow up . 14:21.880 --> 14:24.410 Hello , we can hear you . 14:29.500 --> 14:32.100 Hi , I'm sorry . This is still Jeff 14:32.100 --> 14:34.450 show . Google . The T 72 is a fairly 14:34.460 --> 14:37.050 old design . Can osd say why it's not 14:37.050 --> 14:39.272 providing newer tanks like the Abrams , 14:39.272 --> 14:42.790 the leopard or even korean tanks , Jeff 14:42.790 --> 14:44.957 as you're right , These are soviet era 14:44.957 --> 14:47.240 tanks . Um , these are tanks that the 14:47.240 --> 14:49.129 Ukrainians know how to use on the 14:49.129 --> 14:52.240 battlefield . Um , and again , this is 14:52.250 --> 14:54.417 we are providing these in coordination 14:54.417 --> 14:56.380 with the Netherlands and the Czech 14:56.380 --> 14:59.140 Republic . Um , in terms of why aren't 14:59.140 --> 15:01.880 we providing new tanks um , or american 15:01.880 --> 15:05.720 tanks , uh , introducing a new 15:05.805 --> 15:09.025 main battle tank is um extremely costly . 15:09.025 --> 15:11.625 It's time sensitive . Um , and it would 15:11.635 --> 15:13.857 be a huge undertaking for the Ukrainian 15:13.857 --> 15:17.065 forces . Um , so we do continue to 15:17.075 --> 15:19.297 consult with our allies and partners to 15:19.297 --> 15:21.785 assess our ability on what we can 15:21.785 --> 15:23.765 provide in terms of Western armor 15:23.765 --> 15:26.355 platforms . But these tanks , um , we 15:26.355 --> 15:28.685 believe will make a difference on the 15:28.685 --> 15:31.515 battlefield . Um , let me just since 15:31.735 --> 15:33.860 kristen it was not there , I'm just 15:33.860 --> 15:36.082 gonna take heather's question then I'll 15:36.082 --> 15:38.304 come back in the room so heather us and 15:38.304 --> 15:41.590 I much too quick questions . Um , I was 15:41.590 --> 15:43.534 hoping you could tell us if you've 15:43.534 --> 15:45.757 gotten any information about the attack 15:45.757 --> 15:48.170 on Sevastopol . Um , now I know that we 15:48.170 --> 15:50.281 still haven't got a damage assessment 15:50.281 --> 15:52.392 and I was wondering if you could give 15:52.392 --> 15:54.448 us any um further information on the 15:54.448 --> 15:56.503 river in boats you mentioned . And I 15:56.503 --> 15:58.620 think IDris was trying to uh speak in 15:58.620 --> 16:01.910 as well Back to address after after you . 16:01.920 --> 16:05.620 Um in terms of uh sevastopol , 16:05.630 --> 16:08.320 I don't have any more information there 16:08.330 --> 16:10.497 for you . Um you know , we've seen the 16:10.497 --> 16:12.663 open source reporting but I don't have 16:12.663 --> 16:15.490 more to add to that . Um in terms of 16:15.490 --> 16:17.430 the 40 riverine boats that we are 16:17.430 --> 16:19.650 providing Ukraine , this is again not 16:19.650 --> 16:21.880 the first time that we've provided . Um 16:21.890 --> 16:24.580 these are moored boats to Ukraine but 16:24.580 --> 16:27.280 how and when the Ukrainians use them is 16:27.290 --> 16:30.740 is up to them in their decision . Um So 16:30.740 --> 16:32.740 with that I'm just gonna go to your 16:32.740 --> 16:32.710 dress and then I promise I'm coming 16:32.710 --> 16:35.130 back in the room . Sorry . Okay . Are 16:35.130 --> 16:36.130 you there ? 16:40.860 --> 16:43.290 Sorry . Well , well you'll find me I'm 16:43.290 --> 16:45.570 sure . And then we'll we'll we'll we'll 16:45.570 --> 16:47.540 talk yes right over here . Yeah . 16:48.130 --> 16:50.840 Question on North Korea yesterday , 16:50.850 --> 16:53.170 Secretary Austin and South korean 16:53.170 --> 16:55.450 minister reaffirmed the U . S . 16:55.450 --> 16:57.730 Commitment to deploy U . S . Strategic 16:57.740 --> 17:00.760 assets to the korean . And during the 17:01.430 --> 17:03.570 Secretary said that us don't have a 17:03.570 --> 17:06.170 plan to change permanent position in 17:06.180 --> 17:09.790 the stationing of strategic . So my 17:09.790 --> 17:12.530 question is how us will in place the 17:12.540 --> 17:14.560 frequency and the intensity of 17:14.570 --> 17:18.560 deployment of strategic , well 17:18.560 --> 17:20.338 I mean I don't have anything to 17:20.338 --> 17:22.560 announce today on any new deployment of 17:22.560 --> 17:24.850 strategic assets but I think vigilant 17:24.850 --> 17:26.961 storm the exercise that's ongoing now 17:26.961 --> 17:29.830 speaks for itself um and an opportunity 17:29.830 --> 17:32.170 presented itself to extend that 17:32.170 --> 17:34.660 exercise for a day um which allowed 17:34.660 --> 17:36.827 some additional flying operations with 17:36.827 --> 17:39.660 our rock counterpart . Um and you know 17:39.660 --> 17:41.930 these these exercises increased 17:41.940 --> 17:45.420 confidence in our joint operations . Um 17:45.430 --> 17:48.140 and and again , you know , this is not 17:48.140 --> 17:50.362 the last exercise . We will continue to 17:50.362 --> 17:52.780 do exercises with South Korea or Japan 17:52.780 --> 17:55.058 when when opportunities present itself . 17:55.058 --> 17:57.224 But um I don't have an announcement to 17:57.224 --> 17:59.540 make of any redeployment of any assets . 17:59.550 --> 18:02.410 Great , yes . Oh and I'll come back to 18:02.410 --> 18:04.743 you since you couldn't get on the phone . 18:04.760 --> 18:06.950 Go ahead . Um Yesterday Secretary 18:06.950 --> 18:09.172 Austin and his South korean counterpart 18:09.172 --> 18:12.020 um said if North Korea uses a nuclear 18:12.020 --> 18:14.187 weapon in any threatening way it would 18:14.187 --> 18:16.340 be the end of the regime . Um can you 18:16.350 --> 18:18.620 just speak to that a little bit and 18:18.620 --> 18:21.300 define what exactly North Korea would 18:21.300 --> 18:23.620 have to do for the U . S . And South 18:23.620 --> 18:26.330 Korea and the regime . So I'm not gonna 18:26.330 --> 18:29.760 speculate on hypotheticals or get ahead 18:29.760 --> 18:31.593 of any decisions . I think those 18:31.593 --> 18:33.538 comments stand for themselves . Um 18:33.538 --> 18:36.900 we've been crystal clear that um 18:36.910 --> 18:40.320 any threat to our partners and allies 18:40.320 --> 18:42.542 in the region or U . S . Personnel , we 18:42.542 --> 18:45.610 would certainly um respond . But um I'm 18:45.610 --> 18:47.388 not gonna get into hypothetical 18:47.388 --> 18:49.554 situations on what that response would 18:49.554 --> 18:51.499 look like or what type of response 18:51.499 --> 18:53.610 would warrant would involve testing a 18:53.610 --> 18:55.721 tactical nuclear weapon . Again , I'm 18:55.721 --> 18:57.777 not gonna get into hypotheticals but 18:57.777 --> 18:59.832 thank you for your question and then 18:59.832 --> 19:01.750 I'm coming back to the 19:03.430 --> 19:06.060 funding to refurbish them for future 19:06.070 --> 19:08.292 presidential done . I was just confused 19:08.292 --> 19:10.292 about that . That's right . So this 19:10.292 --> 19:12.459 will be funding from through the USa I 19:12.459 --> 19:15.550 package um that because these missiles 19:15.550 --> 19:17.280 need to go into contract for 19:17.280 --> 19:19.320 refurbishment then they would get 19:19.330 --> 19:21.552 announced in the P . D . A . Because it 19:21.552 --> 19:23.608 would be coming off of our shelves . 19:23.608 --> 19:25.608 But the contract to refurbish these 19:25.608 --> 19:27.774 missiles would it would have to go out 19:27.774 --> 19:29.830 for for the um not going to get into 19:29.830 --> 19:32.010 how many were supplying just for Opsec 19:32.010 --> 19:35.460 reasons but um don't have an exact 19:35.460 --> 19:38.850 timeline yet . Um I mean I think 19:38.860 --> 19:41.560 uh you know yeah I don't have an exact 19:41.560 --> 19:43.727 timeline on that . I'm sorry just some 19:43.727 --> 19:45.838 of the joint statement yesterday with 19:45.838 --> 19:47.893 the South Koreans , there was a line 19:47.893 --> 19:50.060 saying the two countries pledged to do 19:50.060 --> 19:53.080 more to advance the alliance commitment 19:53.090 --> 19:55.090 just generally alliance , what does 19:55.090 --> 19:57.312 that look like in terms of doing more , 19:57.312 --> 19:59.590 what more can you do ? Well , you know , 19:59.590 --> 19:59.540 I think the secretary and minister lee 19:59.540 --> 20:01.596 spoke to this when they were here at 20:01.596 --> 20:03.818 the podiums um you know part of that is 20:03.818 --> 20:05.930 continuing our joint exercises are 20:05.940 --> 20:07.996 deepening our bilateral relationship 20:07.996 --> 20:10.710 and also trilateral cooperation within 20:10.710 --> 20:14.390 the region but part of that is having 20:14.390 --> 20:16.723 the dialogue that we did just yesterday . 20:16.723 --> 20:18.557 Part of that is having this open 20:18.557 --> 20:20.779 communication between our two countries 20:20.779 --> 20:23.050 um to talk through the threats that we 20:23.050 --> 20:25.840 see both in the indo pacific and also 20:25.850 --> 20:28.680 the acute threat of of Russia , but you 20:28.680 --> 20:32.010 know also to um discuss more areas 20:32.010 --> 20:34.066 where we can work together as as two 20:34.066 --> 20:37.910 countries . Great , yes , a few more 20:37.910 --> 20:39.966 follow ups on the tanks . So is this 20:39.966 --> 20:42.110 the first um provision of tanks by to 20:42.110 --> 20:45.780 Ukraine by any by any country or I 20:45.790 --> 20:48.200 would have to check on that ? I don't 20:48.200 --> 20:51.500 know if other um allies have provided 20:51.500 --> 20:53.556 these tanks before , but I know from 20:53.556 --> 20:55.667 the United States perspective this is 20:55.667 --> 20:57.556 the first time that we are we are 20:57.556 --> 20:59.611 paying for these tanks to be used in 20:59.611 --> 21:01.722 Ukraine then the second question . So 21:01.722 --> 21:03.670 there I have the impression , so 21:03.670 --> 21:05.726 there's it seems that some countries 21:05.726 --> 21:08.550 were sort of waiting for uh the other 21:08.550 --> 21:10.606 to go first in terms of provision of 21:10.606 --> 21:12.828 tanks um I guess especially in terms of 21:12.828 --> 21:14.994 Germany , is this something that could 21:14.994 --> 21:16.883 potentially shake loose some some 21:16.883 --> 21:19.106 further provision of tanks to Ukraine ? 21:19.106 --> 21:21.530 Well , it's it's um it's hard to 21:21.530 --> 21:23.780 speculate on what this could 21:23.790 --> 21:27.370 potentially , as in your words shake 21:27.370 --> 21:30.180 loose or um what other countries will 21:30.180 --> 21:32.430 commit to . But I think it's important 21:32.430 --> 21:35.120 to note that this agreement came out of 21:35.120 --> 21:37.120 the Ukraine Defense Contact group , 21:37.120 --> 21:39.620 we're seeing continued progress um with 21:39.620 --> 21:42.480 over 50 countries meeting at the last 21:42.480 --> 21:45.760 meeting um to talk through what does 21:45.760 --> 21:47.871 short term and long term support look 21:47.871 --> 21:50.140 like for Ukraine . So um I think the 21:50.140 --> 21:52.790 Ukraine contact group has been um 21:52.800 --> 21:56.280 incredibly successful in um uniting our 21:56.280 --> 21:58.600 partners and allies in supporting 21:58.600 --> 22:00.990 Ukraine . Um and also making sure that 22:00.990 --> 22:03.157 they get the warfare capabilities that 22:03.157 --> 22:05.268 they need on the battlefield . Yeah , 22:05.268 --> 22:07.330 I'll take Laura and and just just to 22:07.330 --> 22:09.930 follow up first the Hawk missiles , is 22:09.930 --> 22:11.874 this the first time the U . S . Is 22:11.874 --> 22:14.208 paying for them to be refurbished ? Yes . 22:14.208 --> 22:17.560 Say the the ally that's sending them 22:18.050 --> 22:20.410 uh that this is all the information 22:20.410 --> 22:22.577 that I'm gonna get into . But in terms 22:22.577 --> 22:25.180 of , well these are these are our air 22:25.180 --> 22:28.320 missiles that will be refurbished . Yes . 22:28.330 --> 22:31.180 Yeah the I think you're getting the 22:31.180 --> 22:33.460 tanks confused with the Hawks . So the 22:33.460 --> 22:36.150 Hawk the side of the tanks , the T 72 22:36.160 --> 22:38.820 are from the Czech industrial base . 22:38.830 --> 22:41.530 These are our Hawk air missiles that 22:41.530 --> 22:43.697 have to be refurbished as , you know , 22:43.697 --> 22:45.919 we don't use the hawk systems anymore . 22:46.420 --> 22:49.910 And then that's right . And then the 22:49.920 --> 22:53.410 250 M . 117 armored vehicles for the 22:53.420 --> 22:57.190 first time we're sending um 22:57.200 --> 22:59.144 I would have to check , you know , 22:59.144 --> 23:01.311 we've sent armored vehicles . Well let 23:01.311 --> 23:03.533 me check , I'm gonna take that question 23:03.533 --> 23:03.020 because I don't want to misspeak on 23:03.020 --> 23:05.500 that . But um 23:05.750 --> 23:08.270 yeah and I just want to make sure that 23:08.270 --> 23:11.220 it's clear that these um this is the 23:11.220 --> 23:13.220 first time that we're sending these 23:13.220 --> 23:15.442 particular armored vehicles . Um I just 23:15.442 --> 23:17.498 want to make sure that um it's clear 23:17.498 --> 23:19.810 that these are going to be um are going 23:19.810 --> 23:21.950 to be intended to be used through the 23:21.960 --> 23:24.120 excess defense articles which is a 23:24.120 --> 23:26.940 program that services can use to 23:26.940 --> 23:29.690 declare equipment in excess um and make 23:29.690 --> 23:31.950 available for allies and partners . So 23:31.960 --> 23:34.720 this often includes older equipment , 23:34.730 --> 23:36.950 um equipment that's in need of , you 23:36.950 --> 23:39.660 know , service and repairs or upgrades . 23:39.670 --> 23:41.710 Um and they just no longer meet the 23:41.710 --> 23:43.877 service's requirements . And so that's 23:43.877 --> 23:46.230 why we are sending those were setting 23:46.230 --> 23:48.820 those through USA I not they have to be 23:48.820 --> 23:50.876 refurbished first so they have to go 23:50.876 --> 23:52.987 out for a contract for refurbishing . 23:52.987 --> 23:56.370 Yeah . Um yesterday President 23:56.380 --> 23:59.390 biden during his campaign rally in SAn 23:59.390 --> 24:02.930 Diego , he said we are going to free 24:02.940 --> 24:06.880 Iran . So does that mean there 24:06.880 --> 24:09.910 are any plans especially here in the D 24:09.910 --> 24:13.430 O D maybe to assist the protest 24:13.440 --> 24:17.090 there or any steps that maybe lead to 24:17.100 --> 24:20.180 change the regime in Iran . So I would 24:20.180 --> 24:22.291 refer you to the White House to speak 24:22.291 --> 24:24.402 more to the President's comments . Um 24:24.402 --> 24:26.480 you know , again we have been clear 24:26.480 --> 24:28.690 from this podium and I think um other 24:28.700 --> 24:30.811 my other counterparts have been clear 24:30.811 --> 24:33.210 that um we're seeing peaceful protests 24:33.210 --> 24:36.980 take place . Um and this is the Iranian 24:36.980 --> 24:39.780 regime's attempt to suppress uh to 24:39.780 --> 24:42.170 violently suppress them . Um and we 24:42.170 --> 24:44.170 just urge that , you know , we they 24:44.170 --> 24:46.170 allow these peaceful protests to to 24:46.170 --> 24:49.030 continue . I'll take Yeah , sorry , 24:49.030 --> 24:53.020 question about Ukraine recently the 24:53.020 --> 24:56.200 attacks on power and water sources 24:56.210 --> 24:58.490 across Ukraine , especially around the 24:58.490 --> 25:00.870 capital has been increasing too much . 25:00.940 --> 25:04.220 What more can be done to stop those 25:04.230 --> 25:07.810 attacks ? Well , I mean , the attacks 25:07.810 --> 25:09.699 that Russia is launching . I mean 25:09.699 --> 25:13.260 certainly the tomorrow today Vladimir 25:13.260 --> 25:15.427 Putin has the choice to end this war . 25:15.427 --> 25:17.690 Um Those those those strikes could 25:17.690 --> 25:21.570 certainly start by his decision . Um 25:21.580 --> 25:24.830 in terms of how to stop those attacks . 25:24.830 --> 25:26.830 I mean we are as you're seeing from 25:26.830 --> 25:28.719 this package , we are giving more 25:28.719 --> 25:30.386 aerial defense systems to the 25:30.386 --> 25:33.830 Ukrainians to do just that um the Hawk 25:33.840 --> 25:36.540 missiles that were giving um the Hawk 25:36.540 --> 25:39.430 is a mid range surface to air guided 25:39.430 --> 25:42.780 missile that um has a longer range than 25:42.780 --> 25:44.891 the stingers that we provided earlier 25:44.891 --> 25:46.891 this year . So that will be able to 25:46.891 --> 25:48.947 help um the Ukrainians further on on 25:48.947 --> 25:51.550 the battlefield . Um But look , you 25:51.550 --> 25:53.606 know , the Ukrainians are doing what 25:53.606 --> 25:56.350 they can to to um push back against 25:56.350 --> 26:00.340 these um brutal attacks . And um 26:00.350 --> 26:02.461 I think we're seeing their them being 26:02.461 --> 26:04.683 successful . We're seeing their counter 26:04.683 --> 26:06.850 offensive continue um to go on . We're 26:06.850 --> 26:09.100 so you know Russian Russian forces , 26:09.110 --> 26:11.221 you know , shoring up their defensive 26:11.221 --> 26:12.888 lines . But we are seeing the 26:12.888 --> 26:14.721 Ukrainians make success not only 26:14.721 --> 26:16.777 shooting down some of these drones , 26:16.777 --> 26:18.832 but just on the battlefield itself . 26:18.832 --> 26:21.054 Great . Yeah , I'll take a few more and 26:21.054 --> 26:23.054 then I will have to wrap up because 26:23.054 --> 26:22.960 there's another event here . So yes , 26:23.290 --> 26:25.350 thank you for taking my question . I 26:25.360 --> 26:28.460 have a question about the North Korea . 26:28.470 --> 26:32.250 Sure . Uh how 26:32.250 --> 26:34.150 much are you concerned about the 26:34.150 --> 26:36.080 possibility of the North Korea 26:36.090 --> 26:39.070 conducting nuclear tests in the near 26:39.070 --> 26:41.760 future and pentagon , see any 26:41.760 --> 26:45.600 indication of the nuclear . So we 26:45.600 --> 26:49.170 remain concerned um about the prospects 26:49.170 --> 26:52.200 of any nuclear test . Uh we know that 26:52.200 --> 26:53.980 the North Koreans have made 26:53.990 --> 26:57.200 preparations for such a test um and 26:57.200 --> 26:59.256 this assessment , you know , remains 26:59.256 --> 27:01.422 consistent with what we have said from 27:01.422 --> 27:03.644 the beginning , but we certainly remain 27:03.644 --> 27:05.867 concerned um and which is why . And you 27:05.867 --> 27:07.700 heard the secretary and his rock 27:07.700 --> 27:09.811 counterpart speak to this yesterday ? 27:09.811 --> 27:11.922 Um we're in very close touch with our 27:11.922 --> 27:14.190 allies and partners in the region . Um 27:14.200 --> 27:17.170 and should there be uh such a test , 27:17.170 --> 27:19.337 you know , we would be able to respond 27:19.337 --> 27:21.448 quickly if needed . Great , I'm gonna 27:21.448 --> 27:23.670 make just a few more and then yeah , go 27:23.670 --> 27:25.392 ahead regarding the continuing 27:25.392 --> 27:27.114 resolution and obviously , the 27:27.114 --> 27:29.226 department has a lot of modernization 27:29.226 --> 27:31.560 programs and priorities as Barbara 27:31.560 --> 27:33.727 alluded to in terms of closing the gap 27:33.727 --> 27:35.900 with China where right now are the 27:35.900 --> 27:38.810 biggest areas of concern of what's 27:38.810 --> 27:42.040 being held back by the continuing 27:42.040 --> 27:44.690 resolution , which , you know , given 27:44.690 --> 27:46.690 the elections next week , potential 27:46.690 --> 27:48.860 change in Congress could be going into 27:48.870 --> 27:51.880 next spring . Well , as you know , I 27:51.880 --> 27:54.047 wouldn't really be able to speak to so 27:54.047 --> 27:57.660 much of what is happening in Congress 27:57.660 --> 28:01.030 and and um you know , potentials of of 28:01.030 --> 28:02.863 the package as you know , we put 28:02.863 --> 28:05.030 forward a budget . We urge Congress to 28:05.030 --> 28:06.974 pass that budget um the continuing 28:06.974 --> 28:09.141 resolution of course limit some of the 28:09.141 --> 28:11.197 things that we are able to do . So , 28:11.197 --> 28:13.419 you know , we would urge Congress to to 28:13.419 --> 28:15.419 really look and and see if they can 28:15.419 --> 28:17.586 pass the budget that the secretary put 28:17.586 --> 28:19.641 forward just in terms of the current 28:19.641 --> 28:21.697 situation . Are there any particular 28:21.697 --> 28:24.080 programs that are most affected or 28:24.080 --> 28:26.080 where you're having to scramble the 28:26.080 --> 28:28.136 most to try to deal with the current 28:28.136 --> 28:30.610 resolution ? I wouldn't get into . Um , 28:30.620 --> 28:32.731 I'm not gonna speak to any particular 28:32.731 --> 28:34.842 programs that are impacted . I mean , 28:34.842 --> 28:37.370 as you're seeing our age , Ukraine 28:37.380 --> 28:40.710 continues our support and our exercises 28:40.710 --> 28:42.821 continue , so we are still being able 28:42.821 --> 28:45.170 to operate . But again , um , while the 28:45.170 --> 28:47.281 continuing resolution does limit some 28:47.281 --> 28:49.448 of the things that we are able to do , 28:49.448 --> 28:51.503 um , it is important that Congress , 28:51.503 --> 28:53.559 you know , pass the budget so we can 28:53.559 --> 28:56.790 expand on those . Okay , um , I'm gonna 28:56.790 --> 28:59.480 wrap up here . Thanks everyone for 28:59.480 --> 29:01.647 coming in today . Happy friday . And I 29:01.647 --> 29:02.090 hope you have a good weekend .