1 00:00:02,030 --> 00:00:05,220 Good afternoon , everybody . Just a few 2 00:00:05,220 --> 00:00:07,276 things at the top . Go ahead and get 3 00:00:07,276 --> 00:00:10,760 right to your questions . So as I 4 00:00:10,760 --> 00:00:12,550 mentioned last week tomorrow , 5 00:00:12,550 --> 00:00:15,280 Secretary Austin and Secretary Blinken 6 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:18,750 will co host the 2023 US Japan security 7 00:00:18,750 --> 00:00:20,750 consultative committee meeting with 8 00:00:20,750 --> 00:00:22,660 their Japanese counterparts , the 9 00:00:22,660 --> 00:00:24,827 leaders will discuss our shared vision 10 00:00:24,827 --> 00:00:26,771 of a modernized alliance that will 11 00:00:26,771 --> 00:00:28,882 tackle 21st century challenges in the 12 00:00:28,882 --> 00:00:30,993 indo , pacific and around the world . 13 00:00:30,993 --> 00:00:32,771 And on thursday we will welcome 14 00:00:32,771 --> 00:00:35,250 Minister Hamada to the pentagon for a 15 00:00:35,250 --> 00:00:37,306 bilateral meeting . The Secretary of 16 00:00:37,306 --> 00:00:39,472 the Department leadership look forward 17 00:00:39,472 --> 00:00:41,417 to these important discussions and 18 00:00:41,417 --> 00:00:43,528 we'll of course have more information 19 00:00:43,528 --> 00:00:45,694 to share . After all of these meetings 20 00:00:45,694 --> 00:00:47,750 separately next week , the secretary 21 00:00:47,750 --> 00:00:49,972 Austin and chairman of the Joint Chiefs 22 00:00:49,972 --> 00:00:52,083 General Milley will travel to Germany 23 00:00:52,083 --> 00:00:54,083 to host the Ukraine Defense Contact 24 00:00:54,083 --> 00:00:55,917 group at Ramstein air base . The 25 00:00:55,917 --> 00:00:58,083 contact group has been instrumental in 26 00:00:58,083 --> 00:01:00,250 identifying synchronizing and ensuring 27 00:01:00,250 --> 00:01:02,472 delivery of the military capabilities . 28 00:01:02,472 --> 00:01:04,472 The Ukrainians need to defend their 29 00:01:04,472 --> 00:01:06,583 homeland against Russian aggression . 30 00:01:06,583 --> 00:01:08,750 The Secretary looks forward to meeting 31 00:01:08,750 --> 00:01:08,630 with defense leaders from the 32 00:01:08,630 --> 00:01:10,797 approximately 50 nations that comprise 33 00:01:10,797 --> 00:01:12,686 this important group dedicated to 34 00:01:12,686 --> 00:01:15,420 Ukraine self defense . Also , as was 35 00:01:15,420 --> 00:01:17,510 briefly highlighted last week during 36 00:01:17,510 --> 00:01:19,510 the announcement of the most recent 37 00:01:19,510 --> 00:01:21,732 presidential drawdown authorization . I 38 00:01:21,732 --> 00:01:23,954 can confirm that training for Ukrainian 39 00:01:23,954 --> 00:01:25,843 forces on the Patriot air defense 40 00:01:25,843 --> 00:01:28,220 system will begin as soon as next week 41 00:01:28,230 --> 00:01:30,630 at Fort Sill Oklahoma . The training 42 00:01:30,630 --> 00:01:33,000 will prepare approximately 90 to 100 43 00:01:33,000 --> 00:01:35,310 Ukrainian soldiers to operate , 44 00:01:35,320 --> 00:01:37,264 maintain and sustain the defensive 45 00:01:37,264 --> 00:01:39,510 system over a training course expected 46 00:01:39,510 --> 00:01:42,050 to last several months . Once fielded , 47 00:01:42,050 --> 00:01:44,330 the Patriot will continue to control . 48 00:01:44,330 --> 00:01:46,497 Excuse me will contribute to Ukraine's 49 00:01:46,497 --> 00:01:48,820 air defense capabilities and provide 50 00:01:48,820 --> 00:01:51,420 another capability to the Ukrainian 51 00:01:51,420 --> 00:01:53,770 people to defend themselves against 52 00:01:53,770 --> 00:01:56,540 Russia's ongoing aerial assaults will 53 00:01:56,540 --> 00:01:58,207 be sure to provide additional 54 00:01:58,207 --> 00:02:00,318 information as it becomes available . 55 00:02:00,318 --> 00:02:02,429 And finally yesterday the US Navy and 56 00:02:02,429 --> 00:02:04,630 Marine Corps began its exercise titled 57 00:02:04,640 --> 00:02:06,473 Cooperation Afloat Readiness and 58 00:02:06,473 --> 00:02:08,930 Training or Carrot Marine Exercise 59 00:02:08,930 --> 00:02:12,010 Singapore 2022 . This is a joint 60 00:02:12,010 --> 00:02:14,180 bilateral maritime exercise taking 61 00:02:14,180 --> 00:02:16,640 place in Singapore and participants 62 00:02:16,640 --> 00:02:18,640 include the Republic of Singapore , 63 00:02:18,640 --> 00:02:21,050 Navy , US Navy and U . S . Marine Corps . 64 00:02:21,060 --> 00:02:23,710 In its 28th year , the carrot series is 65 00:02:23,710 --> 00:02:26,270 comprised of multinational exercises 66 00:02:26,280 --> 00:02:28,224 designed to enhance US and Partner 67 00:02:28,224 --> 00:02:30,280 Navy's and Marine Corps abilities to 68 00:02:30,280 --> 00:02:32,270 operate together in response to 69 00:02:32,270 --> 00:02:34,048 traditional and non traditional 70 00:02:34,048 --> 00:02:36,280 maritime security challenges in the 71 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:38,460 indo pacific region ? And with that 72 00:02:38,460 --> 00:02:40,238 we'll go ahead and jump to your 73 00:02:40,238 --> 00:02:42,349 questions . We'll start with a p lita 74 00:02:42,349 --> 00:02:45,120 Baldor . Thanks Pat . Um , a couple 75 00:02:45,120 --> 00:02:48,540 things on the fort sill training . Um , 76 00:02:48,550 --> 00:02:51,940 First is this something that the U . S . 77 00:02:51,940 --> 00:02:54,530 Sees as recurring in other words , Will 78 00:02:54,530 --> 00:02:58,010 this happen over time ? Um , as 79 00:02:58,020 --> 00:03:00,187 more need to be trained on the patriot 80 00:03:00,187 --> 00:03:03,550 system ? Is forts ? Sylvie only 81 00:03:03,550 --> 00:03:07,260 place where uh the U . S . Will 82 00:03:07,260 --> 00:03:10,900 train for the patriots . And are there 83 00:03:10,910 --> 00:03:14,560 any concerns as you look ahead to 84 00:03:14,570 --> 00:03:17,350 putting a patriot system in Ukraine ? 85 00:03:17,350 --> 00:03:20,880 Are there concerns about having it 86 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,102 connected to you . U . S . Networks for 87 00:03:23,102 --> 00:03:25,158 their communications issues that you 88 00:03:25,158 --> 00:03:27,080 see the or the U . S . Sees as a 89 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,413 concern about this . Thank you . Thanks . 90 00:03:29,413 --> 00:03:32,010 Leader on your first question , the 91 00:03:32,020 --> 00:03:34,640 focus is on this initial class 92 00:03:34,640 --> 00:03:37,560 certainly will will keep dialogue open 93 00:03:37,570 --> 00:03:39,930 uh in terms of any potential future 94 00:03:39,930 --> 00:03:42,152 training but but right now the focus is 95 00:03:42,152 --> 00:03:44,180 on training uh these operators to 96 00:03:44,190 --> 00:03:47,560 operate this system . Uh and as I 97 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:50,260 mentioned that training will focus on 98 00:03:50,500 --> 00:03:53,000 operations and maintenance of the 99 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:56,520 patriot in terms of any concerns as it 100 00:03:56,530 --> 00:04:00,530 applies to US air defense or or 101 00:04:00,530 --> 00:04:02,760 US systems . No no no concerns on that 102 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:06,540 front . Thank you . Thanks Pat . 103 00:04:06,550 --> 00:04:08,870 Um so on the training front um is there 104 00:04:08,870 --> 00:04:11,230 an update on the combined arms training 105 00:04:11,230 --> 00:04:13,840 of the Ukrainian battalions in europe ? 106 00:04:13,850 --> 00:04:16,280 Can you confirm whether that's begun or 107 00:04:16,280 --> 00:04:18,391 whether it will begin around the same 108 00:04:18,391 --> 00:04:20,447 time as this patriot training in the 109 00:04:20,447 --> 00:04:23,050 United States ? And just additionally , 110 00:04:23,060 --> 00:04:25,520 um is it still the plan that it won't 111 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:28,240 require additional U . S . Troops or 112 00:04:28,240 --> 00:04:30,200 units in europe to provide that 113 00:04:30,210 --> 00:04:32,220 training . Thanks Travis . So my 114 00:04:32,220 --> 00:04:34,220 understanding is that that training 115 00:04:34,220 --> 00:04:36,331 will begin very soon as early as next 116 00:04:36,331 --> 00:04:38,840 week . Um And then in terms of 117 00:04:38,850 --> 00:04:41,220 additional troops uh to my knowledge 118 00:04:41,220 --> 00:04:43,800 beyond the standard troop rotations 119 00:04:43,800 --> 00:04:45,967 that we're already doing , it will not 120 00:04:45,967 --> 00:04:48,780 require a significant or any increase 121 00:04:48,790 --> 00:04:52,130 uh In terms of US trainers going over 122 00:04:52,130 --> 00:04:54,019 there . Thank you . What are your 123 00:04:54,019 --> 00:04:55,686 thoughts about the numbers of 124 00:04:55,686 --> 00:04:57,852 Ukrainians that were coming to sell to 125 00:04:57,852 --> 00:05:00,585 train and the broader issue of taking 126 00:05:00,585 --> 00:05:02,735 Ukrainians off the battlefield , you 127 00:05:02,735 --> 00:05:04,957 know in these months that is the winner 128 00:05:04,957 --> 00:05:07,291 is the sort of stale . But I don't know , 129 00:05:07,291 --> 00:05:10,865 the greater appearance was 130 00:05:10,865 --> 00:05:12,976 stalemate allowing for more troops to 131 00:05:12,976 --> 00:05:15,885 leave the battlefield or , or thinking 132 00:05:15,975 --> 00:05:19,350 about how many so so a patriot battery 133 00:05:19,360 --> 00:05:23,340 by definition takes about 90 folks 134 00:05:23,340 --> 00:05:25,610 to operate and maintain that system . 135 00:05:25,610 --> 00:05:28,720 So the numbers are commensurate with 136 00:05:28,730 --> 00:05:31,250 what one would expect in terms of 137 00:05:31,260 --> 00:05:33,482 operating the patriot battery that will 138 00:05:33,482 --> 00:05:36,300 be delivered to Ukraine . Um , in terms 139 00:05:36,310 --> 00:05:39,530 of Ukrainian forces coming off the 140 00:05:39,530 --> 00:05:41,697 battlefield since the very beginning , 141 00:05:41,697 --> 00:05:43,752 that's something that we have talked 142 00:05:43,752 --> 00:05:46,050 closely with the Ukrainians about to 143 00:05:46,050 --> 00:05:48,410 ensure that they can do both . Right ? 144 00:05:48,420 --> 00:05:50,587 Because as you point out , there is an 145 00:05:50,587 --> 00:05:52,809 ongoing fight , we certainly don't want 146 00:05:52,809 --> 00:05:54,864 to do anything that would jeopardize 147 00:05:54,864 --> 00:05:56,920 their ability to continue to fight , 148 00:05:56,920 --> 00:05:59,087 but ultimately , that's a decision for 149 00:05:59,087 --> 00:06:01,253 the Ukrainians to make in terms of how 150 00:06:01,253 --> 00:06:03,253 many troops they can afford to have 151 00:06:03,253 --> 00:06:05,309 come off the line in order to do the 152 00:06:05,309 --> 00:06:07,198 training . You've heard Secretary 153 00:06:07,198 --> 00:06:09,364 Austin though , talk in the past about 154 00:06:09,364 --> 00:06:11,364 how important it is to look at this 155 00:06:11,364 --> 00:06:13,476 holistically and that if I give you a 156 00:06:13,476 --> 00:06:15,642 piece of equipment , I'm simply giving 157 00:06:15,642 --> 00:06:15,270 you a piece of equipment . But if I 158 00:06:15,270 --> 00:06:17,381 give you the equipment and I give you 159 00:06:17,381 --> 00:06:19,159 the training , I now give you a 160 00:06:19,159 --> 00:06:21,048 capability . And so that's really 161 00:06:21,048 --> 00:06:23,214 essential here is to ensuring that not 162 00:06:23,214 --> 00:06:24,992 only do the Ukrainians have the 163 00:06:24,992 --> 00:06:27,214 equipment they need to fight , but also 164 00:06:27,214 --> 00:06:29,326 the training that's gonna enable them 165 00:06:29,326 --> 00:06:31,548 to operate it on the front line ? Thank 166 00:06:31,548 --> 00:06:33,714 you . All right , Thanks Pat , can you 167 00:06:33,714 --> 00:06:35,937 talk about how the military is planning 168 00:06:35,937 --> 00:06:37,826 on accelerating this training ? I 169 00:06:37,826 --> 00:06:39,603 understand the patriot training 170 00:06:39,603 --> 00:06:41,714 normally takes up to a year . So what 171 00:06:41,714 --> 00:06:43,960 are we planning on cutting out ? Are 172 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:46,260 there ways we can make up that time ? 173 00:06:46,260 --> 00:06:48,316 Can you just elaborate on how that's 174 00:06:48,316 --> 00:06:50,649 going to work ? Sure . As you highlight , 175 00:06:50,649 --> 00:06:52,760 patriot training normally does take a 176 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:54,871 bit longer , however , working . Uh , 177 00:06:54,871 --> 00:06:57,600 and the army can certainly provide any 178 00:06:57,600 --> 00:07:00,470 additional details . Um , but like a 179 00:07:00,470 --> 00:07:02,470 lot of things in this conflict , we 180 00:07:02,470 --> 00:07:04,303 recognize , you know , to Phil's 181 00:07:04,303 --> 00:07:06,303 earlier point that the longer those 182 00:07:06,303 --> 00:07:08,414 troops are off the line , they're not 183 00:07:08,414 --> 00:07:10,414 actually engaged in combat . And so 184 00:07:10,414 --> 00:07:12,526 trying to work with the Ukrainians to 185 00:07:12,526 --> 00:07:14,581 see what we can do to accelerate the 186 00:07:14,581 --> 00:07:16,637 training timeline . In terms of what 187 00:07:16,637 --> 00:07:18,637 that training will look like , will 188 00:07:18,637 --> 00:07:20,859 consist of training in the classrooms . 189 00:07:20,859 --> 00:07:22,803 It will consist of training on the 190 00:07:22,803 --> 00:07:25,026 patriot systems . And then of course in 191 00:07:25,026 --> 00:07:27,081 a simulation lab as well before they 192 00:07:27,081 --> 00:07:29,192 actually deploy the capability on the 193 00:07:29,192 --> 00:07:31,192 battlefield . And then what are the 194 00:07:31,192 --> 00:07:33,192 advantages of doing the training at 195 00:07:33,192 --> 00:07:35,470 forts as opposed to doing it in europe ? 196 00:07:35,470 --> 00:07:38,040 So , the training school for us and 197 00:07:38,040 --> 00:07:40,390 allied forces on patriots is at fort 198 00:07:40,390 --> 00:07:42,950 sill already ? So they'll be falling in 199 00:07:42,950 --> 00:07:45,600 on an existing capability in order to 200 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:48,250 again expedite the training and and get 201 00:07:48,260 --> 00:07:51,630 the system back into Ukraine so that 202 00:07:51,630 --> 00:07:54,450 they can use it to defend themselves to 203 00:07:54,450 --> 00:07:57,420 different questions first . Can you tie 204 00:07:57,420 --> 00:07:59,587 this in or compared to what the german 205 00:07:59,587 --> 00:08:01,698 plan is ? Or are they relying on this 206 00:08:01,698 --> 00:08:03,864 training before they send theirs or do 207 00:08:03,864 --> 00:08:06,031 they have their own program ? And then 208 00:08:06,031 --> 00:08:08,031 completely separately ? There was a 209 00:08:08,031 --> 00:08:10,198 report in a japanese paper about a new 210 00:08:10,198 --> 00:08:12,309 marine unit in Guam , I was wondering 211 00:08:12,309 --> 00:08:11,710 if there was anything you could say 212 00:08:11,710 --> 00:08:13,860 about that and whether it's different 213 00:08:13,860 --> 00:08:15,916 than the work that's been there over 214 00:08:15,916 --> 00:08:18,138 the last couple of years or or anything 215 00:08:18,138 --> 00:08:20,360 going forward . Thanks . So , so as far 216 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,080 as the german patriot system , I'd 217 00:08:23,090 --> 00:08:25,312 refer you to Germany to talk about what 218 00:08:25,312 --> 00:08:27,646 their plans are uh in terms of training , 219 00:08:27,646 --> 00:08:30,720 certainly as always we maintain a very 220 00:08:30,730 --> 00:08:32,620 robust and ongoing dialogue with 221 00:08:32,620 --> 00:08:34,676 Germany and other allies in terms of 222 00:08:34,676 --> 00:08:37,300 how we can best meet Ukrainian needs in 223 00:08:37,300 --> 00:08:40,190 terms of the marine unit that you 224 00:08:40,190 --> 00:08:42,246 mentioned , I don't have anything to 225 00:08:42,246 --> 00:08:44,468 announce . Now , we'll keep you updated 226 00:08:44,468 --> 00:08:46,690 on that front and then we'll go back to 227 00:08:46,690 --> 00:08:50,180 the question , what is going to be 228 00:08:50,240 --> 00:08:51,150 focused on ? 229 00:08:54,290 --> 00:08:57,050 Sure , I would say you don't have any 230 00:08:57,050 --> 00:08:59,750 specific announcements to make in terms 231 00:08:59,750 --> 00:09:01,806 of the relationship , but but as you 232 00:09:01,806 --> 00:09:04,110 know , it's a very important Uh 233 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:06,370 relationship between the United States 234 00:09:06,370 --> 00:09:08,370 and India when it comes to security 235 00:09:08,370 --> 00:09:10,537 cooperation , defense cooperation . So 236 00:09:10,537 --> 00:09:12,759 we look forward to continuing to engage 237 00:09:12,759 --> 00:09:15,100 with the Indian leadership when we do 238 00:09:15,100 --> 00:09:17,267 have something to announce ? Certainly 239 00:09:17,267 --> 00:09:20,640 we will . Um but we already cooperate 240 00:09:20,650 --> 00:09:22,706 and engage in a variety of fronts to 241 00:09:22,706 --> 00:09:24,706 include through mechanisms like the 242 00:09:24,706 --> 00:09:26,928 quad . So we look forward to continuing 243 00:09:26,928 --> 00:09:28,928 to do that in 2023 . And secondly , 244 00:09:28,928 --> 00:09:31,620 Pakistan is accusing Afghanistan after 245 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:33,640 Pakistan of harboring terrorists in 246 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:37,010 terms of GDP . So you're one of the 247 00:09:37,010 --> 00:09:39,230 main goals objective of us is that 248 00:09:39,240 --> 00:09:41,296 Afghanistan should not become a safe 249 00:09:41,296 --> 00:09:43,462 event for terrorists . Once again , it 250 00:09:43,462 --> 00:09:45,462 looks like it is right . Is it that 251 00:09:45,462 --> 00:09:47,684 your assessment , do you align yourself 252 00:09:47,684 --> 00:09:49,851 with Pakistan's views on Afghanistan ? 253 00:09:49,851 --> 00:09:52,760 Well , without getting into internal 254 00:09:52,770 --> 00:09:56,500 Pakistani politics , we've known for a 255 00:09:56,500 --> 00:09:58,750 long time that there are terrorist 256 00:09:58,750 --> 00:10:01,480 organizations that exist within 257 00:10:01,490 --> 00:10:03,712 Afghanistan and throughout the region . 258 00:10:03,712 --> 00:10:05,823 Uh That's that's certainly a surprise 259 00:10:05,823 --> 00:10:09,090 to no one uh from a United States 260 00:10:09,100 --> 00:10:11,340 standpoint , as we've said before , we 261 00:10:11,340 --> 00:10:13,190 do maintain an over the horizon 262 00:10:13,200 --> 00:10:14,756 capability when it comes to 263 00:10:14,756 --> 00:10:16,880 counterterrorism . Uh and so that is 264 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:18,824 something that we will continue to 265 00:10:18,824 --> 00:10:20,991 maintain and sustain in defense of our 266 00:10:20,991 --> 00:10:22,936 own homeland . But beyond that , I 267 00:10:22,936 --> 00:10:25,047 don't have any other comments to make 268 00:10:25,047 --> 00:10:26,991 janie and then I'm gonna go to the 269 00:10:26,991 --> 00:10:29,102 phone , I promise . Thank you sir , I 270 00:10:29,102 --> 00:10:31,800 have locations first station regarding 271 00:10:31,810 --> 00:10:34,620 the us plan to purchase 272 00:10:34,630 --> 00:10:38,430 100,000 shares from South Korea . 273 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:42,210 Is this for the US stock piling or 274 00:10:42,220 --> 00:10:46,000 for support to Ukraine . Sure . Um 275 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,040 so we have been in discussions and 276 00:10:49,040 --> 00:10:51,373 we've talked about this publicly before , 277 00:10:51,373 --> 00:10:54,390 uh with uh Korea in terms of 278 00:10:54,390 --> 00:10:57,810 purchasing non government uh 279 00:10:57,820 --> 00:10:59,987 ammunition from the defense industrial 280 00:10:59,987 --> 00:11:02,153 base . Certainly South Korea maintains 281 00:11:02,153 --> 00:11:04,430 a very robust , very capable defense 282 00:11:04,440 --> 00:11:07,040 industry and so in discussions with the 283 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:09,040 South korean government in terms of 284 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:11,890 purchasing ammunition to replenish us 285 00:11:11,890 --> 00:11:14,112 stocks . But beyond that , I don't have 286 00:11:14,112 --> 00:11:17,930 any additional information that 287 00:11:17,940 --> 00:11:21,310 China and Russia are joint development , 288 00:11:22,190 --> 00:11:25,680 chemical and biological weapons . Can 289 00:11:25,680 --> 00:11:27,940 you share your comments with this ? 290 00:11:27,950 --> 00:11:30,740 Well , you know , certainly when it 291 00:11:30,740 --> 00:11:33,680 comes to kem bio capabilities worldwide , 292 00:11:33,680 --> 00:11:35,791 it's something that the Department of 293 00:11:35,791 --> 00:11:38,420 Defense monitors very closely . When we 294 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:40,910 see those types of capabilities 295 00:11:40,910 --> 00:11:42,910 employed , you've heard us come out 296 00:11:42,910 --> 00:11:45,250 very publicly , most notably during the 297 00:11:45,250 --> 00:11:47,880 counter ISIS campaign , when Syria has 298 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:50,150 used chemical weapons , for example , 299 00:11:50,150 --> 00:11:52,580 on its own population . When it comes 300 00:11:52,580 --> 00:11:54,636 to Russia and china , it's something 301 00:11:54,636 --> 00:11:56,858 that will continue to monitor closely . 302 00:11:56,858 --> 00:11:59,340 Thank you . But the North Korea also 303 00:11:59,350 --> 00:12:02,900 join this chemical reference with 304 00:12:02,910 --> 00:12:05,690 Russia and china . And you're watching 305 00:12:05,690 --> 00:12:08,180 it . I'm sorry , can you repeat that ? 306 00:12:08,970 --> 00:12:12,370 Also joined the chemical weapons with 307 00:12:12,380 --> 00:12:13,630 Russia and china . 308 00:12:17,010 --> 00:12:20,250 Military cooperation . Certainly , 309 00:12:20,250 --> 00:12:22,361 again , and it's something that we're 310 00:12:22,361 --> 00:12:24,417 going to keep a close eye on , we're 311 00:12:24,417 --> 00:12:26,472 going to continue to consult closely 312 00:12:26,472 --> 00:12:28,639 with our allies in the region in terms 313 00:12:28,639 --> 00:12:30,750 of counterproliferation when it comes 314 00:12:30,750 --> 00:12:32,694 to things like chemical biological 315 00:12:32,694 --> 00:12:34,694 weapons uh and you know , there's a 316 00:12:34,694 --> 00:12:36,694 variety of tools at our disposal to 317 00:12:36,694 --> 00:12:38,917 address those , um not going to go into 318 00:12:38,917 --> 00:12:41,139 those today , but those can include non 319 00:12:41,139 --> 00:12:43,472 military capabilities for , for example , 320 00:12:43,472 --> 00:12:43,450 sanctions and things like that . So 321 00:12:43,450 --> 00:12:46,870 again , uh definitely something that is 322 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:48,824 concerning and something that will 323 00:12:48,824 --> 00:12:50,936 continue to keep a close eye on ? Let 324 00:12:50,936 --> 00:12:52,991 me go ahead and go out to the phones 325 00:12:52,991 --> 00:12:54,991 here ? Howard Altman ? Thanks Pat , 326 00:12:54,991 --> 00:12:57,158 couple questions , one to follow up on 327 00:12:57,158 --> 00:12:59,436 the patriots and operational questions . 328 00:12:59,436 --> 00:13:01,436 Um , are these troops are coming to 329 00:13:01,436 --> 00:13:04,700 train at fort sill ? These are hard um 330 00:13:04,710 --> 00:13:07,230 air defense troops that have been doing 331 00:13:07,230 --> 00:13:10,180 this job for a while , Ukrainians . 332 00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:12,920 Thanks Howard . So my that my 333 00:13:12,920 --> 00:13:15,087 understanding is these are air defense 334 00:13:15,087 --> 00:13:17,198 troops , but I'd refer you to Ukraine 335 00:13:17,198 --> 00:13:19,309 for any discussion about the specific 336 00:13:19,309 --> 00:13:22,750 uh soldiers and their backgrounds . Can 337 00:13:22,750 --> 00:13:24,870 you give us an operational update on 338 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:27,750 Solid R and B . These reports of street 339 00:13:27,750 --> 00:13:30,360 fighting in Solid are did you see 340 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:32,471 either one of these cities falling to 341 00:13:32,471 --> 00:13:36,330 the Russians anytime soon at all ? Yeah . 342 00:13:36,340 --> 00:13:38,507 Thanks Howard . Well , I don't want to 343 00:13:38,507 --> 00:13:40,500 speculate , we definitely consent 344 00:13:40,500 --> 00:13:43,230 continue to see very intense fighting 345 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:46,650 near bach moot uh , and in the vicinity 346 00:13:46,650 --> 00:13:49,580 of Solid are um , you know , as you've 347 00:13:49,580 --> 00:13:51,802 seen , it's it's been a lot of back and 348 00:13:51,802 --> 00:13:54,130 forth particular , particularly around 349 00:13:54,130 --> 00:13:57,780 the Solid our area um will continue to 350 00:13:57,780 --> 00:13:59,947 keep a close eye on . But I don't want 351 00:13:59,947 --> 00:14:02,190 to speculate um at this point what the 352 00:14:02,190 --> 00:14:04,357 outcome may be , our focus is going to 353 00:14:04,357 --> 00:14:06,412 continue to be on supporting Ukraine 354 00:14:06,412 --> 00:14:08,468 and providing them with the security 355 00:14:08,468 --> 00:14:10,634 assistance . They need to defend their 356 00:14:10,634 --> 00:14:12,968 country . Thank you . J . J . Green , W . 357 00:14:12,968 --> 00:14:15,023 T . O . P . Thanks General Rider for 358 00:14:15,023 --> 00:14:17,000 doing this question . Two quick 359 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:19,222 questions . First , I understand you've 360 00:14:19,222 --> 00:14:21,278 explained very well what the patriot 361 00:14:21,278 --> 00:14:23,650 system training will be like and who's 362 00:14:23,660 --> 00:14:25,771 going to be involved , etcetera . But 363 00:14:25,771 --> 00:14:29,170 how does the patriot system for Ukraine 364 00:14:29,170 --> 00:14:31,281 in the hands of Ukrainians ? How does 365 00:14:31,281 --> 00:14:34,280 it help them ? Sure . So the the the 366 00:14:34,280 --> 00:14:37,820 patriot will add to the air defense 367 00:14:37,820 --> 00:14:41,280 capabilities of Ukraine . As we've seen 368 00:14:41,280 --> 00:14:43,620 over the last number of months in 369 00:14:43,620 --> 00:14:45,780 particular , Russia has really 370 00:14:45,780 --> 00:14:48,590 intensified its aerial bombardment of 371 00:14:48,590 --> 00:14:51,570 Ukraine really across the country . And 372 00:14:51,570 --> 00:14:54,420 so the Patriot will contribute to the 373 00:14:54,420 --> 00:14:56,531 air defense capabilities that Ukraine 374 00:14:56,531 --> 00:14:59,350 already has . Uh , it's something that 375 00:14:59,350 --> 00:15:02,010 will enable them to to take down 376 00:15:02,240 --> 00:15:04,560 ballistic , you know , up to ballistic 377 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,550 missiles . Adversary aircraft really up 378 00:15:07,550 --> 00:15:09,950 to them on how they employ it . But 379 00:15:09,950 --> 00:15:12,172 this is part of a broader effort by the 380 00:15:12,172 --> 00:15:14,172 United States and the international 381 00:15:14,172 --> 00:15:16,283 community to provide Ukraine with the 382 00:15:16,283 --> 00:15:18,450 air defense capabilities that it needs 383 00:15:18,450 --> 00:15:20,617 to defend its population and its armed 384 00:15:20,617 --> 00:15:23,030 forces . And just very quickly , 385 00:15:23,030 --> 00:15:25,050 Ukraine says the Bradley fighting 386 00:15:25,050 --> 00:15:27,272 vehicles that they're getting are great 387 00:15:27,272 --> 00:15:29,272 and they're very happy about that . 388 00:15:29,272 --> 00:15:31,328 They're saying as well though , that 389 00:15:31,328 --> 00:15:33,439 they need and want tanks . Is there a 390 00:15:33,439 --> 00:15:35,772 discussion about that ? Thanks ? J J So , 391 00:15:35,772 --> 00:15:37,661 as as has been the case since the 392 00:15:37,661 --> 00:15:39,439 beginning of this campaign , we 393 00:15:39,439 --> 00:15:41,383 maintain a very robust and ongoing 394 00:15:41,383 --> 00:15:43,439 dialogue with our Ukrainian partners 395 00:15:43,439 --> 00:15:45,661 and the international community to look 396 00:15:45,661 --> 00:15:47,661 at what Ukraine security assistance 397 00:15:47,661 --> 00:15:50,200 needs are based on the conditions on on 398 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:52,560 the battlefield . And so we'll continue 399 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:54,393 to have those conversations will 400 00:15:54,393 --> 00:15:56,449 continue to look at what their needs 401 00:15:56,449 --> 00:15:58,616 are based on their requests and try to 402 00:15:58,616 --> 00:16:00,838 provide them with the capabilities they 403 00:16:00,838 --> 00:16:02,949 need to not only defend their country 404 00:16:02,949 --> 00:16:05,130 but but to be able to take back 405 00:16:05,130 --> 00:16:08,230 territory . Thank you . All right , 406 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:10,902 thank you . I have two questions . Both 407 00:16:10,902 --> 00:16:13,680 are unrelated to each other . Um First 408 00:16:13,680 --> 00:16:15,902 one is there going to be a second batch 409 00:16:15,902 --> 00:16:17,902 of Ukrainians that goes through the 410 00:16:17,902 --> 00:16:19,847 Patriot missile training ? So , so 411 00:16:19,847 --> 00:16:23,010 right now we have the first group that 412 00:16:23,010 --> 00:16:25,177 will go through . I'm not aware of any 413 00:16:25,177 --> 00:16:27,232 additional forces , but again , that 414 00:16:27,232 --> 00:16:29,399 will be an ongoing discussion based on 415 00:16:29,399 --> 00:16:31,454 the needs of Ukraine . And my second 416 00:16:31,454 --> 00:16:33,288 question um over a dozen Special 417 00:16:33,288 --> 00:16:35,343 Operation soldiers out of fort Bragg 418 00:16:35,343 --> 00:16:37,566 are currently being investigated by the 419 00:16:37,566 --> 00:16:39,454 U . S . Army for involvement with 420 00:16:39,454 --> 00:16:41,677 illegal drugs . Um Does this reflect on 421 00:16:41,677 --> 00:16:43,899 any broader problems with illegal drugs 422 00:16:43,899 --> 00:16:46,066 with the U . S . Military in general ? 423 00:16:46,066 --> 00:16:47,954 Thanks . So as always we hold our 424 00:16:47,954 --> 00:16:50,066 service members to the higher highest 425 00:16:50,066 --> 00:16:52,420 standards of moral and ethical behavior . 426 00:16:52,430 --> 00:16:54,597 I would say it's really what makes our 427 00:16:54,597 --> 00:16:57,190 military the best in the world in terms 428 00:16:57,200 --> 00:16:58,922 of the allegations that you've 429 00:16:58,922 --> 00:17:00,978 highlighted . I know that US Special 430 00:17:00,978 --> 00:17:02,978 Operations Command and U . S . Army 431 00:17:02,978 --> 00:17:05,200 Special Operations Command are aware of 432 00:17:05,200 --> 00:17:06,867 those allegations and they're 433 00:17:06,867 --> 00:17:08,867 investigating . So I'd refer you to 434 00:17:08,867 --> 00:17:08,760 them for any further comment . Thank 435 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:10,830 you ma'am . Thank you sir , Kimberly 436 00:17:10,830 --> 00:17:12,890 Underwood from Signal magazine . I 437 00:17:12,900 --> 00:17:15,011 wanted to ask a little bit more about 438 00:17:15,011 --> 00:17:17,122 the meeting with the Japanese defense 439 00:17:17,122 --> 00:17:19,470 and foreign Ministers and Department of 440 00:17:19,470 --> 00:17:23,010 State ? Um Can you talk about how that 441 00:17:23,010 --> 00:17:25,080 modernization relationship will look 442 00:17:25,090 --> 00:17:26,868 like ? And from the Secretary's 443 00:17:26,868 --> 00:17:29,170 perspective will the discussion kind of 444 00:17:29,170 --> 00:17:32,570 drill down to like how the countries 445 00:17:32,570 --> 00:17:34,920 can integrate communications with their 446 00:17:34,920 --> 00:17:37,550 militaries ? See to jazz see to that 447 00:17:37,550 --> 00:17:39,661 kind of thing . Well that well , that 448 00:17:39,661 --> 00:17:42,020 kind of discussion include things like 449 00:17:42,020 --> 00:17:44,730 that . Sure . Um well as I'm sure you 450 00:17:44,740 --> 00:17:46,796 can appreciate , I don't want to get 451 00:17:46,796 --> 00:17:49,180 ahead of the discussions will certainly 452 00:17:49,180 --> 00:17:51,180 be providing a lot more information 453 00:17:51,180 --> 00:17:53,236 afterwards in terms of the nature of 454 00:17:53,236 --> 00:17:55,291 the discussions and the substance uh 455 00:17:55,291 --> 00:17:57,840 and and the kinds of decisions that 456 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:00,020 were made through those meetings . I 457 00:18:00,020 --> 00:18:03,050 would say that broadly speaking Japan 458 00:18:03,060 --> 00:18:06,060 as as one of our staunchest allies in 459 00:18:06,060 --> 00:18:08,610 the region . And really the the US 460 00:18:08,610 --> 00:18:10,930 Japanese alliance is the cornerstone of 461 00:18:10,930 --> 00:18:13,570 indo pacific security . Uh you know , 462 00:18:13,570 --> 00:18:15,860 over the last 70 years . Uh this is an 463 00:18:15,860 --> 00:18:18,180 opportunity for our two nations to have 464 00:18:18,190 --> 00:18:20,610 very substantive dialogue in terms of 465 00:18:20,610 --> 00:18:23,110 how we can modernize the alliance and 466 00:18:23,110 --> 00:18:25,520 ensure that we're doing our part to 467 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:28,310 ensure a free and open indo pacific uh 468 00:18:28,320 --> 00:18:30,431 and importantly , a stable and secure 469 00:18:30,431 --> 00:18:33,890 indo pacific . Thank you sir . Uh this 470 00:18:33,890 --> 00:18:36,250 morning fifth fleet announced that they 471 00:18:36,260 --> 00:18:40,070 intercepted a vessel down from Yemen 472 00:18:40,070 --> 00:18:42,160 to our excuse me from Iran to Yemen 473 00:18:42,180 --> 00:18:45,720 with weapons , I believe it's the 474 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:48,460 third in the past two months ? Um This 475 00:18:48,460 --> 00:18:50,627 type of operation is there , is this a 476 00:18:50,627 --> 00:18:53,020 sign of any increase or change in 477 00:18:53,020 --> 00:18:56,010 policy and how um you know how the U . 478 00:18:56,010 --> 00:18:58,980 S . Is going about monitoring the 479 00:18:58,990 --> 00:19:01,240 waters in that area . Sure . So a 480 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:05,030 couple of things um U . S . 481 00:19:05,030 --> 00:19:07,410 Navy Central Command has been um 482 00:19:07,420 --> 00:19:09,587 obviously present in that region for a 483 00:19:09,587 --> 00:19:11,698 very long time . Can and continues to 484 00:19:11,698 --> 00:19:13,920 work very closely with our partners and 485 00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:16,280 our allies in that region to do exactly 486 00:19:16,280 --> 00:19:19,730 that to to prevent potential 487 00:19:19,740 --> 00:19:23,510 illicit shipment uh and to ensure that 488 00:19:23,510 --> 00:19:25,566 those waterways remain safe , secure 489 00:19:25,566 --> 00:19:29,420 and stable . In terms of the tao that 490 00:19:29,420 --> 00:19:31,587 you're referring to . My understanding 491 00:19:31,587 --> 00:19:33,531 is it was a stateless tao carrying 492 00:19:33,531 --> 00:19:37,170 approximately 2000 Ak 40 seven's uh 493 00:19:37,180 --> 00:19:39,360 traversing a route that has been used 494 00:19:39,360 --> 00:19:43,120 in the past by Iran to send 495 00:19:43,130 --> 00:19:46,740 weapons illegally to the hoodie rebels 496 00:19:46,740 --> 00:19:49,280 in Yemen . Again , centcom can talk 497 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:51,440 more about that . But I do think to 498 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:53,662 your to the point of your question , it 499 00:19:53,662 --> 00:19:56,660 highlights the instability that is 500 00:19:56,660 --> 00:19:59,830 fomented by countries like Iran when 501 00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:02,080 when they have conducted these types of 502 00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:05,420 shipments in the past . Uh So certainly 503 00:20:05,420 --> 00:20:07,587 we're going to continue to do our part 504 00:20:07,587 --> 00:20:09,476 in the region uh to help maintain 505 00:20:09,476 --> 00:20:11,698 security and stability and work closely 506 00:20:11,698 --> 00:20:14,010 with our partners and allies to prevent 507 00:20:14,010 --> 00:20:16,220 this type of these types of shipments 508 00:20:16,220 --> 00:20:18,650 from reaching their destination . Just 509 00:20:18,650 --> 00:20:20,930 the second one uh separate topic . 510 00:20:20,940 --> 00:20:23,162 Their reports this morning that U . S . 511 00:20:23,162 --> 00:20:25,940 Officials met with opposition figures 512 00:20:25,940 --> 00:20:28,360 from from Afghanistan in the third 513 00:20:28,360 --> 00:20:30,638 country . Were there to your knowledge , 514 00:20:30,638 --> 00:20:32,804 were there any pentagon officials that 515 00:20:32,804 --> 00:20:35,760 met or have met with ? Yeah , I'm not , 516 00:20:35,770 --> 00:20:37,826 I'm not aware of that . I don't have 517 00:20:37,826 --> 00:20:39,881 anything on that . Let me go back to 518 00:20:39,881 --> 00:20:39,800 the phone here real quick . Megan . 519 00:20:39,800 --> 00:20:43,140 Myers . Thanks Pat . 520 00:20:43,150 --> 00:20:47,040 So you mentioned that the first round 521 00:20:47,050 --> 00:20:50,090 of , of Ukrainians that are heading to 522 00:20:50,100 --> 00:20:52,100 support cell , there will be 100 of 523 00:20:52,100 --> 00:20:54,100 them . You kind of said to Liz like 524 00:20:54,100 --> 00:20:56,267 there's no plans for more rotations at 525 00:20:56,267 --> 00:20:58,540 this point , but that time frame that 526 00:20:58,540 --> 00:21:00,707 you're talking about , is there a goal 527 00:21:00,707 --> 00:21:02,840 for how to shorten it ? Um , or are 528 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:05,007 they kind of just playing it by ear to 529 00:21:05,007 --> 00:21:06,951 see how much they can condense the 530 00:21:06,951 --> 00:21:09,062 timeline . And then as a follow up to 531 00:21:09,062 --> 00:21:11,284 that , are there any other systems were 532 00:21:11,284 --> 00:21:13,340 sending Ukraine that might be better 533 00:21:13,340 --> 00:21:15,340 suited to training in the US versus 534 00:21:15,340 --> 00:21:17,007 europe , The way that they've 535 00:21:17,007 --> 00:21:18,951 determined the patriot is . Thanks 536 00:21:18,951 --> 00:21:20,951 Megan . So , so my understanding is 537 00:21:20,951 --> 00:21:22,960 that , uh , you know , to , to get 538 00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:25,071 directly to answering your question . 539 00:21:25,071 --> 00:21:27,293 No , there were not winging it in terms 540 00:21:27,293 --> 00:21:29,127 of the training , this will be a 541 00:21:29,127 --> 00:21:32,430 established , um , curriculum 542 00:21:32,890 --> 00:21:35,310 to train these soldiers on the patriot 543 00:21:35,310 --> 00:21:38,810 system , uh , although expedited to 544 00:21:38,810 --> 00:21:40,860 ensure that they can get back to 545 00:21:40,870 --> 00:21:43,840 Ukraine as as quickly as possible . Um , 546 00:21:43,850 --> 00:21:47,280 so , um , and then again , in terms of 547 00:21:47,290 --> 00:21:49,850 the numbers , just to reemphasize the 548 00:21:49,850 --> 00:21:52,072 point . My understanding is that , uh , 549 00:21:52,072 --> 00:21:54,460 this is the group we're training as far 550 00:21:54,460 --> 00:21:56,760 as any future soldiers that will 551 00:21:56,760 --> 00:21:58,704 receive patriot training ? I'm not 552 00:21:58,704 --> 00:22:00,760 aware of any right now , but again , 553 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:02,538 that will be part of an ongoing 554 00:22:02,538 --> 00:22:04,649 discussion with Ukraine . Um and then 555 00:22:04,649 --> 00:22:06,538 I'm sorry the second part of your 556 00:22:06,538 --> 00:22:08,704 question , are there any other systems 557 00:22:08,704 --> 00:22:10,927 we are sending to Ukraine that might be 558 00:22:10,927 --> 00:22:12,816 best suited to stateside training 559 00:22:12,816 --> 00:22:14,816 birches in europe as of right now . 560 00:22:14,816 --> 00:22:16,760 This will be the only one that I'm 561 00:22:16,760 --> 00:22:18,982 tracking . But of course we'll continue 562 00:22:18,982 --> 00:22:20,982 to to stay flexible and and do what 563 00:22:20,982 --> 00:22:22,927 makes the most sense in support of 564 00:22:22,927 --> 00:22:24,927 Ukraine and ensuring that they have 565 00:22:24,927 --> 00:22:26,704 what they need and they get the 566 00:22:26,704 --> 00:22:28,816 training that they need . Thank you . 567 00:22:28,816 --> 00:22:32,780 Let me go to Rio Nakamura Nikkei thank 568 00:22:32,780 --> 00:22:35,090 you for taking my question . I want to 569 00:22:35,100 --> 00:22:37,810 ask you about the U . S . Philippines 570 00:22:37,820 --> 00:22:40,130 defense relations . The Philippine , 571 00:22:40,140 --> 00:22:43,370 acting defense Chief consignor resigned 572 00:22:43,380 --> 00:22:45,750 this week and the Chief of Staff , the 573 00:22:45,750 --> 00:22:47,930 host , the staff of the Philippine 574 00:22:47,940 --> 00:22:51,420 armed forces but also replaced recently . 575 00:22:51,430 --> 00:22:54,270 So how much is the pentagon concerns 576 00:22:54,270 --> 00:22:56,770 that certain changes in the senior 577 00:22:56,770 --> 00:23:00,080 relationship might affect the ongoing 578 00:23:00,090 --> 00:23:02,340 ongoing defense cooperation with the 579 00:23:02,350 --> 00:23:04,840 Philippines . Thank you . Yeah , thanks 580 00:23:04,840 --> 00:23:07,570 rio . So you know , first off the the 581 00:23:07,570 --> 00:23:10,080 alliance between the United States and 582 00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:13,130 the Philippines is ironclad . So uh 583 00:23:13,140 --> 00:23:16,790 that will continue uh in terms of the 584 00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:19,490 the change in defense leadership . Um 585 00:23:19,500 --> 00:23:21,540 certainly aware of that . Uh and 586 00:23:21,540 --> 00:23:23,650 Secretary Austin looks forward to 587 00:23:23,660 --> 00:23:26,520 speaking to Secretary Secretary galvez 588 00:23:26,590 --> 00:23:29,340 at the first opportunity . Uh and we of 589 00:23:29,340 --> 00:23:31,062 course congratulate him on his 590 00:23:31,062 --> 00:23:33,229 appointment . Thank you go back to the 591 00:23:33,229 --> 00:23:36,210 room here sir , a couple on the 592 00:23:36,220 --> 00:23:39,200 Ukrainian air picture , um zuni rockets 593 00:23:39,210 --> 00:23:41,432 to follow up on that ? It was announced 594 00:23:41,432 --> 00:23:43,350 last week . Are those guided or 595 00:23:43,360 --> 00:23:45,410 unguided version ? 596 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:51,130 And secondly , um us is taking steps 597 00:23:51,130 --> 00:23:54,400 to bolster Ukrainian air forces , is 598 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:57,070 the decision not to provide us 599 00:23:57,080 --> 00:24:00,070 aircraft based on 600 00:24:00,880 --> 00:24:03,047 that capability that they would not be 601 00:24:03,047 --> 00:24:06,360 ready to employ this or a concern about 602 00:24:06,370 --> 00:24:07,230 escalation . 603 00:24:07,810 --> 00:24:11,750 Yeah , so again we we 604 00:24:11,750 --> 00:24:14,910 continue to have a very um robust 605 00:24:14,910 --> 00:24:16,966 dialogue with the Ukrainians when it 606 00:24:16,966 --> 00:24:18,910 comes to their security assistance 607 00:24:18,910 --> 00:24:20,854 needs , they have an air force and 608 00:24:20,854 --> 00:24:22,966 they've been employing that air force 609 00:24:22,966 --> 00:24:25,320 uh to great effect in a in a lot of 610 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:28,020 locations throughout Ukraine . And so 611 00:24:28,030 --> 00:24:30,000 when it comes to the kinds of 612 00:24:30,000 --> 00:24:32,000 capabilities that we provide them , 613 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:33,556 we'll continue to have that 614 00:24:33,556 --> 00:24:35,333 conversation with them with our 615 00:24:35,333 --> 00:24:37,556 international allies and our partners . 616 00:24:37,556 --> 00:24:39,278 Uh and we'll take a variety of 617 00:24:39,278 --> 00:24:41,389 considerations into fact into account 618 00:24:41,389 --> 00:24:43,222 uh factors to include training , 619 00:24:43,222 --> 00:24:45,900 maintenance , sustainability , uh also 620 00:24:45,900 --> 00:24:47,844 the availability of those types of 621 00:24:47,844 --> 00:24:50,530 systems . So um nothing new to announce 622 00:24:50,530 --> 00:24:52,586 on that front , but we'll be sure to 623 00:24:52,586 --> 00:24:54,697 keep you updated . All right , let me 624 00:24:54,697 --> 00:24:56,863 go back out to the phone one more time 625 00:24:56,863 --> 00:24:58,919 here nancy . Youssef ? Thank you . I 626 00:24:58,919 --> 00:25:01,086 have three questions actually um other 627 00:25:01,086 --> 00:25:03,197 than the Ukrainians that were here at 628 00:25:03,197 --> 00:25:05,419 the start of the war . Um is there , is 629 00:25:05,419 --> 00:25:07,363 this the first time that Ukrainian 630 00:25:07,363 --> 00:25:09,363 troops will train on U . S . Soil . 631 00:25:09,363 --> 00:25:11,363 Secondly , can you tell us how many 632 00:25:11,363 --> 00:25:13,586 Ukrainians have been trained by U . S . 633 00:25:13,586 --> 00:25:15,697 Forces outside of the United States . 634 00:25:15,697 --> 00:25:17,808 And then my understanding is that the 635 00:25:17,808 --> 00:25:19,808 patriots the US provided patriot is 636 00:25:19,808 --> 00:25:21,974 already in the region as part of their 637 00:25:21,974 --> 00:25:24,141 training . Will these Ukrainian troops 638 00:25:24,141 --> 00:25:26,363 train on that ? Us provide a patriot in 639 00:25:26,363 --> 00:25:28,530 Ukraine or in the region ? Thank you . 640 00:25:28,700 --> 00:25:31,040 Yeah . Thanks nancy . So um we'll have 641 00:25:31,040 --> 00:25:33,207 to get back to you on the numbers . Um 642 00:25:33,207 --> 00:25:35,262 the United States , when it comes to 643 00:25:35,262 --> 00:25:37,429 training in the US , the United States 644 00:25:37,429 --> 00:25:39,151 and Ukraine as you know , have 645 00:25:39,151 --> 00:25:41,040 maintained a security cooperation 646 00:25:41,040 --> 00:25:43,151 relationship for some time . Uh there 647 00:25:43,151 --> 00:25:45,560 has been training of Ukrainian forces 648 00:25:45,570 --> 00:25:48,340 in the United States before as well as 649 00:25:48,340 --> 00:25:50,800 development . Ukrainians have attended 650 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:52,830 our professional military education 651 00:25:52,840 --> 00:25:55,480 schools . They have embedded in 652 00:25:55,490 --> 00:25:57,740 headquarters of some of our units . I 653 00:25:57,740 --> 00:25:59,962 know from personal experience during my 654 00:25:59,962 --> 00:26:02,018 time at U . S . Central Command , we 655 00:26:02,018 --> 00:26:04,240 had Ukrainians there as part of a multi 656 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:06,500 nation coalition looking at regional 657 00:26:06,510 --> 00:26:09,470 threats in the centcom kor uh so 658 00:26:09,480 --> 00:26:12,300 hopefully that addresses that . Um and 659 00:26:12,300 --> 00:26:14,411 then I'm sorry , your second question 660 00:26:14,411 --> 00:26:16,189 was , is the patriot that their 661 00:26:16,189 --> 00:26:18,356 training on the one that they're going 662 00:26:18,356 --> 00:26:20,530 to employ overseas . I'm sorry to 663 00:26:20,530 --> 00:26:22,752 points of clarification . I'm trying to 664 00:26:22,752 --> 00:26:24,919 understand if if there have been other 665 00:26:24,919 --> 00:26:24,680 than those Ukraine's that were here on 666 00:26:24,680 --> 00:26:26,847 february 24th , is this the first time 667 00:26:26,847 --> 00:26:28,902 Ukrainians are training U . S . Soil 668 00:26:28,902 --> 00:26:31,124 since february 24th and then I was just 669 00:26:31,124 --> 00:26:33,291 trying to understand how I'm trying to 670 00:26:33,291 --> 00:26:35,124 get a feeling of when the the US 671 00:26:35,124 --> 00:26:37,640 provided patriot will sort of be on the 672 00:26:37,640 --> 00:26:40,440 battlefield in Ukraine . And if if it's 673 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:42,496 going to be part of the training and 674 00:26:42,496 --> 00:26:44,329 all that is , would they trained 675 00:26:44,329 --> 00:26:46,551 specifically on how to use that patriot 676 00:26:46,551 --> 00:26:49,290 in the region ? Yes . So , so the 677 00:26:49,300 --> 00:26:52,240 training will be tailored to provide 678 00:26:52,240 --> 00:26:54,129 relevant tactics , techniques and 679 00:26:54,129 --> 00:26:56,129 procedures based on the battlefield 680 00:26:56,129 --> 00:26:58,610 conditions in Ukraine , uh , to enable 681 00:26:58,610 --> 00:27:01,710 them to employ that to maximum effect 682 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:05,020 once they are back in Ukraine , uh , in 683 00:27:05,020 --> 00:27:08,370 terms of training in the United States . 684 00:27:08,380 --> 00:27:10,713 Um , what will take your question ? Yes . 685 00:27:10,713 --> 00:27:13,150 We have conducted training of Ukrainian 686 00:27:13,150 --> 00:27:15,770 forces since the Russian invasion in 687 00:27:15,770 --> 00:27:17,770 the United States . But let me take 688 00:27:17,770 --> 00:27:19,992 that question and we'll we'll come back 689 00:27:19,992 --> 00:27:22,159 to you with whatever details were able 690 00:27:22,159 --> 00:27:24,460 to provide on that . Okay . Yeah , 691 00:27:25,820 --> 00:27:29,030 MEREDITH rhoden James . I wanted to ask 692 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,710 if the number given the complicated 693 00:27:32,770 --> 00:27:35,230 training and how many operators it 694 00:27:35,240 --> 00:27:37,780 takes two for the patriot system , Is 695 00:27:37,780 --> 00:27:40,040 this going to impact us training on the 696 00:27:40,040 --> 00:27:42,300 system at all . Um , and if so , how do 697 00:27:42,300 --> 00:27:44,356 you kind of plan to alleviate that ? 698 00:27:44,356 --> 00:27:46,920 Sure . It will not detract from any 699 00:27:46,930 --> 00:27:49,152 other training that's already scheduled 700 00:27:49,152 --> 00:27:51,820 at Fort Sill thinks this is not a 701 00:27:51,820 --> 00:27:53,764 matter of sort of inserting them , 702 00:27:53,764 --> 00:27:55,770 these Ukrainian soldiers within the 703 00:27:55,770 --> 00:27:57,826 training groups already going on . I 704 00:27:57,826 --> 00:27:59,659 mean they're gonna be trained by 705 00:27:59,659 --> 00:28:01,881 themselves correct . And the reason you 706 00:28:01,881 --> 00:28:03,937 think you can confirm that you think 707 00:28:03,937 --> 00:28:05,714 that you can sort of called the 708 00:28:05,714 --> 00:28:08,600 training down is because as air defense 709 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:10,767 soldiers back home , they already have 710 00:28:10,767 --> 00:28:12,940 a baseline of sort of experience . So 711 00:28:12,940 --> 00:28:14,996 you don't have to reinvent the wheel 712 00:28:14,996 --> 00:28:17,460 with these guys . It's gonna be right 713 00:28:17,460 --> 00:28:19,810 there as as instructors . And so first 714 00:28:19,810 --> 00:28:22,088 of all it's here , your first question . 715 00:28:22,088 --> 00:28:24,088 Um so these instructors will be the 716 00:28:24,088 --> 00:28:26,199 same instructors that already conduct 717 00:28:26,199 --> 00:28:28,920 training for us and and allied forces 718 00:28:28,920 --> 00:28:31,142 that and partner forces that go through 719 00:28:31,142 --> 00:28:34,000 training at Fort Sill . And so uh a 720 00:28:34,010 --> 00:28:35,899 variety of factors are taken into 721 00:28:35,899 --> 00:28:37,720 account in terms of how is this 722 00:28:37,720 --> 00:28:39,720 capability going to be employed in 723 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:41,940 Ukraine ? What are the kinds of 724 00:28:41,950 --> 00:28:44,520 techniques , tactics , techniques and 725 00:28:44,520 --> 00:28:47,370 procedures that will be most relevant 726 00:28:47,380 --> 00:28:48,991 to them too to employ on the 727 00:28:48,991 --> 00:28:51,520 battlefield ? And how can we adjust the 728 00:28:51,520 --> 00:28:53,970 curriculum in order to expedite the 729 00:28:53,970 --> 00:28:56,320 training , recognizing again that 730 00:28:56,330 --> 00:28:58,386 there's a fight going on and that we 731 00:28:58,386 --> 00:29:00,552 need to get this system there . I will 732 00:29:00,552 --> 00:29:02,580 say that my understanding is that 733 00:29:02,580 --> 00:29:05,060 nothing will be done that would prevent 734 00:29:05,070 --> 00:29:07,960 this from being employed to the maximum 735 00:29:08,070 --> 00:29:10,181 most effective way possible . Right ? 736 00:29:10,181 --> 00:29:12,126 So in other words , we're not just 737 00:29:12,126 --> 00:29:14,292 gonna rush them through the training , 738 00:29:14,292 --> 00:29:13,740 get over there and it's not gonna work 739 00:29:13,750 --> 00:29:16,680 because then what's the point ? So uh 740 00:29:16,690 --> 00:29:18,870 the U . S . Army working very closely 741 00:29:18,870 --> 00:29:20,981 with Ukraine will make sure that they 742 00:29:20,981 --> 00:29:23,092 get the training they need to operate 743 00:29:23,092 --> 00:29:25,203 this system to maximum effect once it 744 00:29:25,203 --> 00:29:27,810 gets back to Ukraine . Thanks , take a 745 00:29:27,820 --> 00:29:30,670 couple more joe Thanks man , A couple 746 00:29:30,670 --> 00:29:33,520 questions . Um , Ukrainian officials 747 00:29:33,520 --> 00:29:35,687 have been saying in recent days in the 748 00:29:35,687 --> 00:29:37,631 press that they anticipate a major 749 00:29:37,631 --> 00:29:40,440 Russian troop mobilization this month 750 00:29:40,450 --> 00:29:43,340 and an offensive in february or March . 751 00:29:43,350 --> 00:29:45,490 Um , does the pentagon share that 752 00:29:45,490 --> 00:29:48,480 assessment and then , you know , with 753 00:29:48,480 --> 00:29:51,680 the stepped up training ? Um , you know , 754 00:29:51,680 --> 00:29:54,300 will will this new patriot battery and 755 00:29:54,300 --> 00:29:57,020 deliveries of armored vehicles ? Um , 756 00:29:57,030 --> 00:29:59,252 you know , can you ballpark a timeframe 757 00:29:59,252 --> 00:30:01,363 for when those are gonna arrive ? And 758 00:30:01,363 --> 00:30:03,680 are these two things converge it at the 759 00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:06,120 same time ? When you say convergent , 760 00:30:06,130 --> 00:30:10,060 the the potential troop mobilization 761 00:30:10,060 --> 00:30:12,680 from Russia and the newly trained 762 00:30:12,680 --> 00:30:14,791 troops from Ukrainian troops from the 763 00:30:14,791 --> 00:30:18,760 United States . So let me just 764 00:30:18,760 --> 00:30:20,871 say right up front that I'm , I'm not 765 00:30:20,871 --> 00:30:23,210 gonna speculate about potential future 766 00:30:23,210 --> 00:30:26,920 operations and I'm not gonna um , try 767 00:30:26,920 --> 00:30:29,550 to go into intelligence about specifics , 768 00:30:29,560 --> 00:30:31,727 uh , in terms of what the Russians may 769 00:30:31,727 --> 00:30:34,660 or may not do all that to say . Um , I 770 00:30:34,660 --> 00:30:36,882 think we have to be careful to not look 771 00:30:36,882 --> 00:30:38,938 at the battlefield in a linear way , 772 00:30:38,938 --> 00:30:41,049 right , this is gonna happen and this 773 00:30:41,049 --> 00:30:40,760 is going to happen . This is gonna 774 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:43,070 happen . This is since day one has been 775 00:30:43,070 --> 00:30:45,620 a very dynamic fluid situation and 776 00:30:45,620 --> 00:30:47,731 there's a couple of things we do know 777 00:30:47,731 --> 00:30:49,676 Russia has been very clear that it 778 00:30:49,676 --> 00:30:52,390 intends to continue to try to take and 779 00:30:52,390 --> 00:30:54,920 hold Ukrainian territory , as evidenced 780 00:30:54,920 --> 00:30:57,550 by their invasion . Uh , so we have no 781 00:30:57,550 --> 00:30:59,606 reason to believe that they're gonna 782 00:30:59,606 --> 00:31:01,828 let up on the throttle when it comes to 783 00:31:01,828 --> 00:31:03,994 operations . In the meantime , Ukraine 784 00:31:03,994 --> 00:31:05,828 has also been very clear that it 785 00:31:05,828 --> 00:31:07,828 intends to defend and take back its 786 00:31:07,828 --> 00:31:09,772 territory . And that's where we're 787 00:31:09,772 --> 00:31:11,883 focused is making sure that they have 788 00:31:11,883 --> 00:31:14,050 what they need to defend their country 789 00:31:14,050 --> 00:31:13,740 and to take back their sovereign 790 00:31:13,750 --> 00:31:17,500 territory . So that obviously has to 791 00:31:17,500 --> 00:31:19,222 take into account a variety of 792 00:31:19,222 --> 00:31:21,480 variables , situations that could 793 00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:24,810 happen . Uh , and and when it comes to 794 00:31:24,820 --> 00:31:27,360 Russia , we're going to continue to 795 00:31:27,480 --> 00:31:29,536 monitor , we're going to continue to 796 00:31:29,536 --> 00:31:31,591 work closely with the Ukrainians and 797 00:31:31,591 --> 00:31:33,702 the international community . Again , 798 00:31:33,702 --> 00:31:33,260 to make sure they have what they need 799 00:31:33,260 --> 00:31:36,060 to to counter that . Um , so hopefully 800 00:31:36,060 --> 00:31:38,370 that gets to it . I think in the past 801 00:31:38,370 --> 00:31:41,290 you've sometimes ballpark when certain 802 00:31:41,300 --> 00:31:43,522 capabilities are going to arrive in the 803 00:31:43,522 --> 00:31:45,300 hands of Ukrainians . And I was 804 00:31:45,300 --> 00:31:47,467 wondering if you could do that in this 805 00:31:47,467 --> 00:31:49,578 case , the patriots , about when will 806 00:31:49,578 --> 00:31:51,744 it be operational ? When how long does 807 00:31:51,744 --> 00:31:53,880 it take to deliver armored vehicles ? 808 00:31:53,890 --> 00:31:57,260 So , so in terms of the patriots , 809 00:31:57,270 --> 00:32:00,640 once the training is complete , uh , 810 00:32:00,650 --> 00:32:02,770 then , you know , the patriot will be 811 00:32:02,770 --> 00:32:05,010 delivered so that they can employ it . 812 00:32:05,020 --> 00:32:07,076 I'm not going to get into specific , 813 00:32:07,076 --> 00:32:08,964 you know , dates weeks other than 814 00:32:08,970 --> 00:32:11,026 several months , just again based on 815 00:32:11,026 --> 00:32:13,260 the training timeline with the Bradleys 816 00:32:13,270 --> 00:32:17,210 as uh , uh , Deputy Secretary 817 00:32:17,210 --> 00:32:19,620 cooper talked about last week , we're 818 00:32:19,620 --> 00:32:22,690 looking at , you know , several weeks . 819 00:32:22,700 --> 00:32:25,680 Uh , so again , we'll continue to work 820 00:32:25,680 --> 00:32:27,736 as quickly as we can as I'm sure you 821 00:32:27,736 --> 00:32:29,736 can appreciate , we're not going to 822 00:32:29,736 --> 00:32:31,902 announce in advance exactly when those 823 00:32:31,902 --> 00:32:34,013 systems will arrive and certainly the 824 00:32:34,013 --> 00:32:36,124 Ukrainians , I'm sure we'll highlight 825 00:32:36,124 --> 00:32:38,236 them once they do get on the ground . 826 00:32:38,236 --> 00:32:40,069 Louis two questions , one on the 827 00:32:40,069 --> 00:32:42,069 training question from Travis , but 828 00:32:42,069 --> 00:32:43,902 combined arms training and joe's 829 00:32:43,902 --> 00:32:45,902 question about the Bradleys , a key 830 00:32:45,902 --> 00:32:48,069 component of combined arms training is 831 00:32:48,069 --> 00:32:50,347 incorporating armor as part of it . So , 832 00:32:50,347 --> 00:32:53,030 um , will the Ukrainian forces when 833 00:32:53,030 --> 00:32:55,308 they start training ? Soon as you said , 834 00:32:55,308 --> 00:32:57,419 will they incorporate training on the 835 00:32:57,419 --> 00:32:59,530 Bradleys as part of the combined arms 836 00:32:59,530 --> 00:33:01,697 training ? Either in the short term or 837 00:33:01,697 --> 00:33:04,130 long term ? Yes , they will . So the 838 00:33:04,140 --> 00:33:08,110 Bradleys should be available uh , or 839 00:33:08,110 --> 00:33:10,350 will be available if not now , then 840 00:33:10,350 --> 00:33:13,540 very soon as at Grafton Beer and that 841 00:33:13,540 --> 00:33:15,484 will be part of the training , the 842 00:33:15,484 --> 00:33:17,651 combined arms training that they do in 843 00:33:17,651 --> 00:33:19,596 Germany . So they will be training 844 00:33:19,596 --> 00:33:19,260 there before you know , on the Bradley 845 00:33:19,270 --> 00:33:21,103 before they go . They're sent in 846 00:33:21,103 --> 00:33:23,720 forward , correct . The other question 847 00:33:23,720 --> 00:33:26,440 has to do with the continuing request 848 00:33:26,440 --> 00:33:28,460 that we're seeing from Ukraine for 849 00:33:28,460 --> 00:33:30,990 larger armor . Um , is there also a 850 00:33:30,990 --> 00:33:34,210 request now for striker vehicles which 851 00:33:34,220 --> 00:33:36,331 has been incorporated into the US and 852 00:33:36,331 --> 00:33:38,664 Canadian militaries for quite some time . 853 00:33:38,664 --> 00:33:41,020 Um , and where does the U . S stand on 854 00:33:41,030 --> 00:33:43,086 going into the Ukraine Contact group 855 00:33:43,086 --> 00:33:45,420 meeting next week on the possibility 856 00:33:45,420 --> 00:33:47,420 that the United Kingdom may send 857 00:33:47,420 --> 00:33:50,400 challengers . Yeah . Um , so I'm going 858 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:52,567 to be extremely disappointing and tell 859 00:33:52,567 --> 00:33:55,320 you that , you know , I'm not going to 860 00:33:55,320 --> 00:33:57,520 speculate on what future security 861 00:33:57,520 --> 00:33:59,464 assistance might look like or talk 862 00:33:59,464 --> 00:34:01,464 about what we might or might not be 863 00:34:01,464 --> 00:34:03,631 considering . Again , we're gonna keep 864 00:34:03,631 --> 00:34:05,576 that dialogue open and we're gonna 865 00:34:05,576 --> 00:34:07,687 continue to adapt and evolve based on 866 00:34:07,687 --> 00:34:09,798 the Ukrainians needs and based on the 867 00:34:09,798 --> 00:34:11,909 situation on the ground in Ukraine as 868 00:34:11,909 --> 00:34:14,187 we go into the contact group next week , 869 00:34:14,187 --> 00:34:16,298 what I what I think you can expect to 870 00:34:16,298 --> 00:34:18,187 see is that capabilities like air 871 00:34:18,187 --> 00:34:20,298 defense and armor will continue to be 872 00:34:20,298 --> 00:34:22,464 priority topics of discussion . And so 873 00:34:22,464 --> 00:34:24,520 certainly as we conduct those 874 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:26,700 engagements will be happy to read you 875 00:34:26,700 --> 00:34:28,756 out on on what decisions were made . 876 00:34:28,756 --> 00:34:30,644 Thank you . Alright , take just a 877 00:34:30,644 --> 00:34:32,867 couple more good you and then you thank 878 00:34:32,867 --> 00:34:35,560 you china conducted military combat 879 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:37,990 exercises around Taiwan this week , 880 00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:39,889 which was the second big military 881 00:34:39,889 --> 00:34:43,190 exercises in less than one month . What 882 00:34:43,200 --> 00:34:45,230 could be your reactions to this and 883 00:34:45,230 --> 00:34:47,540 what kind of discussions do you expect 884 00:34:47,540 --> 00:34:50,090 with Japanese counterpart about these 885 00:34:50,100 --> 00:34:52,400 chinese aggression ? Well , again , as 886 00:34:52,400 --> 00:34:55,800 a , as one of our closest allies in the 887 00:34:55,800 --> 00:34:59,190 region , I have no doubt . Um well let 888 00:34:59,190 --> 00:35:01,246 me say it this way , china certainly 889 00:35:01,246 --> 00:35:03,412 will be a topic of discussion with our 890 00:35:03,412 --> 00:35:05,730 Japanese allies during the consultation 891 00:35:05,730 --> 00:35:08,260 consultation meetings this week . Um in 892 00:35:08,260 --> 00:35:11,360 terms of chinese behavior as evidence 893 00:35:11,370 --> 00:35:14,870 most recently by the PRC air intercept . 894 00:35:14,880 --> 00:35:17,100 Um it is concerning when you see these 895 00:35:17,100 --> 00:35:19,740 types of provocative actions taking 896 00:35:19,740 --> 00:35:22,910 place in sensitive areas . And so again , 897 00:35:22,910 --> 00:35:24,810 our focus from the United States 898 00:35:24,810 --> 00:35:26,921 standpoint is working with our allies 899 00:35:26,921 --> 00:35:28,921 and our partners in the region like 900 00:35:28,921 --> 00:35:30,977 Japan to ensure a free and open indo 901 00:35:30,977 --> 00:35:33,950 pacific uh and to ensure that security 902 00:35:33,950 --> 00:35:36,960 and stability continue to be present 903 00:35:36,960 --> 00:35:39,190 throughout the region . Thank you . And 904 00:35:39,190 --> 00:35:41,412 the last question , Yes sir . Thank you 905 00:35:41,412 --> 00:35:43,301 sir . I had a question concerning 906 00:35:43,301 --> 00:35:45,357 tomorrow is two plus two . Um It was 907 00:35:45,357 --> 00:35:47,579 reported by the Japanese newspaper that 908 00:35:47,579 --> 00:35:49,579 there will be an addition to the US 909 00:35:49,579 --> 00:35:51,801 Japan Security Treaty to Article five . 910 00:35:51,801 --> 00:35:53,968 Where that there is an attack on Japan 911 00:35:53,968 --> 00:35:56,079 in space which is on a satellite that 912 00:35:56,079 --> 00:35:56,000 the US will come to Japan's defense . 913 00:35:56,010 --> 00:35:58,010 Could you confirm that that will be 914 00:35:58,010 --> 00:36:00,066 added tomorrow . Are there any talks 915 00:36:00,066 --> 00:36:02,121 going on concerning that addition to 916 00:36:02,121 --> 00:36:04,066 the Article 5 ? Yeah . Thank you . 917 00:36:04,066 --> 00:36:06,232 Again , I don't have anything specific 918 00:36:06,232 --> 00:36:05,810 to announce right now , will be sure to 919 00:36:05,820 --> 00:36:07,931 follow up afterwards and let you know 920 00:36:07,931 --> 00:36:10,530 exactly um what what comes out of those 921 00:36:10,530 --> 00:36:12,530 talks . But we look very forward to 922 00:36:12,530 --> 00:36:14,641 them and thank you for the question . 923 00:36:14,641 --> 00:36:16,808 All right , thanks very much everybody 924 00:36:16,808 --> 00:36:15,710 appreciate it .