1 00:00:00,660 --> 00:00:04,390 Alright hi , good afternoon 2 00:00:04,390 --> 00:00:06,600 everyone , I just have a few items to 3 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:08,544 pass on at the top and then I'd be 4 00:00:08,544 --> 00:00:10,600 happy to take your questions today . 5 00:00:10,600 --> 00:00:12,656 The Secretary hosted the Minister of 6 00:00:12,656 --> 00:00:14,822 Defense from Albania at the pentagon . 7 00:00:14,822 --> 00:00:16,830 The two leaders discussed their um 8 00:00:16,840 --> 00:00:18,951 followed up on their discussions last 9 00:00:18,951 --> 00:00:20,951 week at the Ukraine Defense Contact 10 00:00:20,951 --> 00:00:22,729 Group and while also discussing 11 00:00:22,729 --> 00:00:24,618 bilateral defense cooperation and 12 00:00:24,618 --> 00:00:26,784 security efforts , we will have a full 13 00:00:26,784 --> 00:00:28,951 readout soon on that will be available 14 00:00:28,951 --> 00:00:31,300 on defense dot gov . Uh Also today 15 00:00:31,310 --> 00:00:33,143 marks the conclusion of exercise 16 00:00:33,143 --> 00:00:35,910 juniper Oak . This exercise was the 17 00:00:35,910 --> 00:00:38,320 largest US Israel partnered exercise in 18 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:41,060 history , juniper integrated US and 19 00:00:41,060 --> 00:00:43,393 Israeli fifth generation fighter assets , 20 00:00:43,610 --> 00:00:45,940 the USS George , H . W . Bush Carrier 21 00:00:45,940 --> 00:00:47,884 Strike Group , Command and Control 22 00:00:47,884 --> 00:00:49,662 Elements , rescue and refueling 23 00:00:49,662 --> 00:00:51,770 aircraft during a long range large 24 00:00:51,770 --> 00:00:54,690 force exercise that included live fire 25 00:00:54,690 --> 00:00:57,010 exercises with more than 100 and 40 26 00:00:57,010 --> 00:00:59,800 aircraft and roughly 6400 U . S . 27 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:02,810 Troops Along side more than 1500 28 00:01:02,810 --> 00:01:04,754 Israeli troops participated in the 29 00:01:04,754 --> 00:01:07,400 exercise . This week the U . S . Marine 30 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:10,580 Corps will reactivate Camp Blas in Guam . 31 00:01:10,590 --> 00:01:12,757 Part of an agreement with the japanese 32 00:01:12,757 --> 00:01:14,868 government to reposition marines from 33 00:01:14,868 --> 00:01:16,923 Okinawa as well as contribute to the 34 00:01:16,923 --> 00:01:18,701 overall integrity of integrated 35 00:01:18,701 --> 00:01:20,812 deterrence and bolster US operational 36 00:01:20,812 --> 00:01:22,923 security in the indo pacific region . 37 00:01:22,923 --> 00:01:25,210 Camp Blas will serve as a strategic hub 38 00:01:25,220 --> 00:01:27,164 and training area for joint forces 39 00:01:27,164 --> 00:01:29,580 allies and partners in the region . The 40 00:01:29,580 --> 00:01:31,802 Marine Corps has a deep history in Guam 41 00:01:31,802 --> 00:01:34,024 and we are committed to continuing that 42 00:01:34,024 --> 00:01:36,136 strong relationship and finally today 43 00:01:36,136 --> 00:01:38,136 the department is releasing our new 44 00:01:38,136 --> 00:01:40,358 comprehensive small business strategy . 45 00:01:40,358 --> 00:01:42,524 The strategy will guide D . O . D . In 46 00:01:42,524 --> 00:01:44,469 its ongoing effort to leverage the 47 00:01:44,469 --> 00:01:46,830 exceptional creativity , innovation and 48 00:01:46,830 --> 00:01:48,663 range of capabilities that small 49 00:01:48,663 --> 00:01:50,497 businesses bring to our nation's 50 00:01:50,497 --> 00:01:52,497 defense industrial base , expanding 51 00:01:52,497 --> 00:01:54,441 small business opportunities is an 52 00:01:54,441 --> 00:01:56,052 absolutely vital part of the 53 00:01:56,052 --> 00:01:58,219 department's commitment to fostering a 54 00:01:58,219 --> 00:02:00,386 robust and resilient industrial base . 55 00:02:00,386 --> 00:02:02,497 And the strategy will be released via 56 00:02:02,497 --> 00:02:04,497 defense dot gov . And with that I'm 57 00:02:04,497 --> 00:02:06,663 happy to take your questions . I'll go 58 00:02:06,663 --> 00:02:08,774 ahead to lead to . Um , so I'm hoping 59 00:02:08,774 --> 00:02:10,774 you can sort of fill in some blanks 60 00:02:10,774 --> 00:02:12,830 from yesterday on the tank issue now 61 00:02:12,830 --> 00:02:14,386 that we're a day out of the 62 00:02:14,386 --> 00:02:16,386 announcement . Um , can you give us 63 00:02:16,386 --> 00:02:19,440 some better granularity on the training ? 64 00:02:19,450 --> 00:02:23,080 How soon will it start ? When 65 00:02:23,090 --> 00:02:25,310 maybe and will it be done even if you 66 00:02:25,310 --> 00:02:27,430 can't say exactly where do you expect 67 00:02:27,430 --> 00:02:29,780 it will be done in the content of the 68 00:02:29,780 --> 00:02:31,669 United States or I mean , they're 69 00:02:31,669 --> 00:02:33,669 obviously so , I mean , europe that 70 00:02:33,669 --> 00:02:35,724 could be used . Can you just kind of 71 00:02:35,724 --> 00:02:37,891 base that out for us at least a little 72 00:02:37,891 --> 00:02:40,002 bit and will it look sort of like the 73 00:02:40,002 --> 00:02:42,169 striker training , you know , a couple 74 00:02:42,169 --> 00:02:44,447 100 you know , several 100 years there . 75 00:02:44,447 --> 00:02:46,336 Sure . So unfortunately , I think 76 00:02:46,336 --> 00:02:45,345 you're going to be little bit 77 00:02:45,345 --> 00:02:47,678 disappointed with my answers today . Um , 78 00:02:47,678 --> 00:02:49,678 in terms of how soon , I just don't 79 00:02:49,678 --> 00:02:51,789 have a timeline for you . Um , we are 80 00:02:51,789 --> 00:02:54,012 trying to get the training set up , but 81 00:02:54,012 --> 00:02:56,105 as of a timeline when , where that's 82 00:02:56,105 --> 00:02:58,272 going to be and when I just don't have 83 00:02:58,272 --> 00:03:00,383 that available at this moment , but I 84 00:03:00,383 --> 00:03:03,315 know that something that is certainly 85 00:03:03,325 --> 00:03:05,381 going to be of interest . So when we 86 00:03:05,381 --> 00:03:07,492 have more updates , I'll certainly be 87 00:03:07,492 --> 00:03:09,658 able to read that out . Great . Yeah . 88 00:03:09,658 --> 00:03:11,850 Sabrina , is there a shortage of M1 89 00:03:11,860 --> 00:03:14,082 Abram tanks ? Is that why you're having 90 00:03:14,082 --> 00:03:16,304 to go through the procurement process ? 91 00:03:16,304 --> 00:03:18,249 It's not going to allow them to be 92 00:03:18,249 --> 00:03:20,416 there until you know , almost a year's 93 00:03:20,416 --> 00:03:22,527 time . Why not just take them off the 94 00:03:22,527 --> 00:03:24,749 shelf to get them in the fight sooner ? 95 00:03:24,749 --> 00:03:26,916 That's a great question . We are using 96 00:03:26,916 --> 00:03:29,027 the USA I because that's exactly it . 97 00:03:29,027 --> 00:03:30,749 We just don't have these tanks 98 00:03:30,749 --> 00:03:32,693 available in excess in our U . S . 99 00:03:32,693 --> 00:03:35,440 Stocks , which is why um it is going to 100 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:38,460 take months to transfer these M one 101 00:03:38,470 --> 00:03:42,190 uh a two Abrams to Ukraine . 102 00:03:42,330 --> 00:03:44,552 And I think that you have to remember , 103 00:03:44,552 --> 00:03:46,830 I mean , as you probably know these 104 00:03:46,830 --> 00:03:49,080 tanks are going to require training , 105 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,080 maintenance , sustainment . That is 106 00:03:51,080 --> 00:03:53,247 going to take a very long time to also 107 00:03:53,247 --> 00:03:55,390 train the Ukrainians on . Um and so 108 00:03:55,400 --> 00:03:57,511 because of that and we took that into 109 00:03:57,511 --> 00:03:59,910 account , that's why we are using the U . 110 00:03:59,910 --> 00:04:02,850 S . AI capability in order to um 111 00:04:02,875 --> 00:04:06,175 Procure these tanks for the Ukrainians 112 00:04:06,185 --> 00:04:09,675 changed from Tuesday to Thursday 113 00:04:09,705 --> 00:04:11,927 when here at the podium , we heard that 114 00:04:11,927 --> 00:04:14,085 the M1 Abram was too difficult 115 00:04:14,085 --> 00:04:16,141 logistically to support , it was the 116 00:04:16,141 --> 00:04:18,945 wrong weapon to be sent . And then 117 00:04:18,945 --> 00:04:20,667 hearing that the president had 118 00:04:20,667 --> 00:04:22,889 authorized 31 to be sent ? Well I don't 119 00:04:22,889 --> 00:04:25,056 think that I would just say that , you 120 00:04:25,056 --> 00:04:27,223 know , we stand by the statements that 121 00:04:27,223 --> 00:04:29,223 we made from here at the podium and 122 00:04:29,223 --> 00:04:31,334 that um you've heard Secretary Austin 123 00:04:31,334 --> 00:04:33,445 and and the chairman say before these 124 00:04:33,445 --> 00:04:35,612 are going to be difficult capabilities 125 00:04:35,612 --> 00:04:38,170 to maintain and sustain uh we stand by 126 00:04:38,170 --> 00:04:40,170 that there's gonna be challenges to 127 00:04:40,170 --> 00:04:43,760 them . Um That said uh following the 128 00:04:43,770 --> 00:04:45,603 Secretary's visit to the Ukraine 129 00:04:45,603 --> 00:04:47,826 contact group meeting with partners and 130 00:04:47,826 --> 00:04:51,590 allies , we saw um a commitment in 131 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:53,980 um immediate capabilities that could be 132 00:04:53,980 --> 00:04:56,240 rushed to the battlefield right now um 133 00:04:56,240 --> 00:04:58,750 or in the in the near term and part of 134 00:04:58,750 --> 00:05:01,730 our commitment to giving the Abrams is 135 00:05:01,740 --> 00:05:04,010 a long term show of commitment . And so 136 00:05:04,020 --> 00:05:06,600 the timing made sense along with our 137 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,656 partners and allies announcing other 138 00:05:08,656 --> 00:05:10,711 capabilities that they were going to 139 00:05:10,711 --> 00:05:12,544 give to Ukraine . And so again I 140 00:05:12,544 --> 00:05:14,470 wouldn't I wouldn't say that uh 141 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:16,591 decisions changed . We've always been 142 00:05:16,591 --> 00:05:18,702 very honest about the challenges with 143 00:05:18,702 --> 00:05:21,510 these capabilities Tony you walk a 144 00:05:21,510 --> 00:05:23,566 little bit through tank build one on 145 00:05:23,566 --> 00:05:25,788 one , you mentioned this is the M one A 146 00:05:25,788 --> 00:05:27,954 two specialize in . That's why I asked 147 00:05:27,954 --> 00:05:29,899 this implies that they're going to 148 00:05:29,899 --> 00:05:32,480 upgrade older model . M one a one's 149 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,258 that are not in the active army 150 00:05:34,258 --> 00:05:35,813 inventory into this , A two 151 00:05:35,813 --> 00:05:38,760 configuration , is that accurate ? 152 00:05:38,770 --> 00:05:40,992 We're working through the details right 153 00:05:40,992 --> 00:05:43,214 now , we're trying to procure new tanks 154 00:05:43,214 --> 00:05:45,326 through the U . S . A . I . But again 155 00:05:45,326 --> 00:05:47,326 we're working through those details 156 00:05:47,326 --> 00:05:46,610 right now . So I don't have any 157 00:05:46,610 --> 00:05:48,430 additional updates on that tank 158 00:05:48,430 --> 00:05:50,652 supplies building from scratch , taking 159 00:05:50,652 --> 00:05:52,708 pieces together . That's not the way 160 00:05:52,708 --> 00:05:54,986 the army is done for the last 20 years . 161 00:05:54,986 --> 00:05:56,986 We'll check into that . It would it 162 00:05:56,986 --> 00:05:59,152 would entail working with industry and 163 00:05:59,152 --> 00:06:01,263 and contracting those out and part of 164 00:06:01,263 --> 00:06:03,374 that is acquiring new tanks . So that 165 00:06:03,374 --> 00:06:05,780 that's that's where the process uh that 166 00:06:05,780 --> 00:06:08,285 is our goal in the process . In terms 167 00:06:08,285 --> 00:06:11,475 of um final delivery again , we'll keep 168 00:06:11,475 --> 00:06:13,586 you updated on that . But that is the 169 00:06:13,586 --> 00:06:15,642 goal of what we announced new versus 170 00:06:15,642 --> 00:06:18,335 new meaning upgraded model to the older 171 00:06:18,335 --> 00:06:20,495 models . The A one that's when if you 172 00:06:20,495 --> 00:06:22,384 can pull that string and get some 173 00:06:22,384 --> 00:06:24,551 clarity that that would be helpful and 174 00:06:24,551 --> 00:06:26,717 training question , can you check also 175 00:06:26,717 --> 00:06:28,773 is there gonna be like simulation in 176 00:06:28,773 --> 00:06:30,995 europe , you're gonna flight simulators 177 00:06:30,995 --> 00:06:32,884 over there or is it gonna be like 178 00:06:32,884 --> 00:06:34,884 distributed test training from like 179 00:06:34,884 --> 00:06:37,051 Fort Benning's armor school where guys 180 00:06:37,051 --> 00:06:39,217 can be at computers and Ukraine and do 181 00:06:39,217 --> 00:06:41,384 it virtually like that . That would be 182 00:06:41,384 --> 00:06:43,328 useful to know . Well we have many 183 00:06:43,328 --> 00:06:45,551 different ways to train on the Abrams . 184 00:06:45,551 --> 00:06:44,920 Again , we haven't started that 185 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:46,920 training so I don't want to put the 186 00:06:46,920 --> 00:06:48,920 cart before the horse here . Um you 187 00:06:48,920 --> 00:06:51,142 know when we have more details , I'd be 188 00:06:51,142 --> 00:06:53,364 happy to get back to you and I'm sure I 189 00:06:53,364 --> 00:06:55,587 could have made a tank joke there but I 190 00:06:55,587 --> 00:06:59,540 didn't . Yeah um I had a 191 00:06:59,540 --> 00:07:02,680 question about Kampala's Guam last I 192 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:04,680 checked earlier today , the marines 193 00:07:04,680 --> 00:07:06,902 hadn't given a number for the number of 194 00:07:06,902 --> 00:07:09,124 marines that would be going to that new 195 00:07:09,124 --> 00:07:11,180 camp . Can you provide that number ? 196 00:07:11,180 --> 00:07:14,160 And additionally there was a new unit 197 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:16,520 that's going to be um located on 198 00:07:16,530 --> 00:07:19,880 Okinawa . So is that a backfill ? 199 00:07:19,890 --> 00:07:21,779 Because my understanding that for 200 00:07:21,779 --> 00:07:24,001 decades the U . S . And Japan have been 201 00:07:24,001 --> 00:07:25,946 working to move U . S . Forces off 202 00:07:25,946 --> 00:07:29,790 Okinawa to Guam . So can you explain 203 00:07:29,790 --> 00:07:31,790 the math there ? There's gonna be a 204 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:34,022 reduction of forces on Okinawa and what 205 00:07:34,022 --> 00:07:35,967 are the numbers ? No , this was an 206 00:07:35,967 --> 00:07:38,022 agreement that was set up in 2012 to 207 00:07:38,022 --> 00:07:40,400 establish this base . Um camp laws and 208 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:42,733 there will be 5000 marine station there . 209 00:07:42,733 --> 00:07:44,900 Um Sorry , I should have read that out 210 00:07:44,900 --> 00:07:46,789 of the top . Um No , this doesn't 211 00:07:46,789 --> 00:07:48,900 reduce the presence at Okinawa . This 212 00:07:48,900 --> 00:07:50,956 is something the camp was already an 213 00:07:50,956 --> 00:07:53,067 agreement . Um that has taken a while 214 00:07:53,067 --> 00:07:55,353 to get up and running to establish this 215 00:07:57,133 --> 00:07:59,355 established camp laws . But in terms of 216 00:07:59,355 --> 00:08:01,577 our commitment to Okinawa , we're still 217 00:08:01,577 --> 00:08:03,855 going to have a presence there as well . 218 00:08:03,855 --> 00:08:06,253 The Japanese are paying for part of 219 00:08:06,253 --> 00:08:08,531 this move though , correct . And if so , 220 00:08:08,531 --> 00:08:10,586 why are they paying if there's not a 221 00:08:10,586 --> 00:08:12,697 net reduction in the number of forces 222 00:08:12,697 --> 00:08:14,809 on Okinawa , I would have to get back 223 00:08:14,809 --> 00:08:16,975 to you on the funding aspect there . I 224 00:08:16,975 --> 00:08:19,086 just don't have that here right now . 225 00:08:19,086 --> 00:08:21,197 So I'm happy to take that question to 226 00:08:21,197 --> 00:08:23,420 benefit them strategically move marines 227 00:08:23,420 --> 00:08:25,475 away from . Well , I mean it's about 228 00:08:25,475 --> 00:08:27,809 establishing our presence in the region ? 229 00:08:27,809 --> 00:08:29,697 Were establishing I think a wider 230 00:08:29,697 --> 00:08:31,864 presence you could say there . So it's 231 00:08:31,864 --> 00:08:34,186 not about necessarily being far away . 232 00:08:34,186 --> 00:08:36,019 I think it in fact recommits our 233 00:08:36,019 --> 00:08:38,075 presence to the region that we are , 234 00:08:38,356 --> 00:08:41,306 you know , solidly behind Japan . And 235 00:08:41,316 --> 00:08:43,836 this is just one other place where we 236 00:08:43,836 --> 00:08:46,246 will have our marines based . I'm gonna 237 00:08:46,246 --> 00:08:47,302 go to the phones . 238 00:08:47,790 --> 00:08:51,670 Uh , thank you . The Marine 239 00:08:51,670 --> 00:08:54,340 Corps recently divested its fleet of 240 00:08:54,340 --> 00:08:56,830 tanks . Is there some reason the U . S . 241 00:08:56,830 --> 00:08:59,510 Can't send them to Ukraine ? And also I 242 00:08:59,510 --> 00:09:01,677 spoke to an expert who said it doesn't 243 00:09:01,677 --> 00:09:03,732 make sense to give the Ukrainians 30 244 00:09:03,732 --> 00:09:06,240 Abrams 14 leopards etcetera . Give them 245 00:09:06,330 --> 00:09:08,590 100 of each . And that will justify 246 00:09:08,590 --> 00:09:10,812 having multiple maintenance systems . I 247 00:09:10,812 --> 00:09:12,923 wanted to know if you could respond . 248 00:09:12,923 --> 00:09:14,979 Thank you . I'm happy to take that . 249 00:09:14,979 --> 00:09:17,201 I'm happy to respond to that question . 250 00:09:17,201 --> 00:09:16,760 I'm sorry , but you broke up on your 251 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:18,982 first question . I couldn't hear that . 252 00:09:18,982 --> 00:09:21,038 Could you repeat that ? Marine Corps 253 00:09:21,038 --> 00:09:23,230 has divested its fleet of M one Abrams 254 00:09:23,230 --> 00:09:25,063 tanks . Couldn't they be sent to 255 00:09:25,063 --> 00:09:28,400 Ukraine ? So again , part of this 256 00:09:28,410 --> 00:09:31,750 uh Usa usa I package that we rolled out 257 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:34,930 is um trying to procure new tanks for 258 00:09:34,930 --> 00:09:37,020 Ukraine . Um Again , I don't have an 259 00:09:37,020 --> 00:09:40,400 update of of um when those will come , 260 00:09:40,410 --> 00:09:42,632 it's gonna be not weeks , it's going to 261 00:09:42,632 --> 00:09:44,632 be months . Um , so I will keep you 262 00:09:44,632 --> 00:09:46,854 updated on that in terms of your second 263 00:09:46,854 --> 00:09:49,970 question on , I think it was on why 264 00:09:49,970 --> 00:09:52,470 aren't we supplying hundreds of and 265 00:09:52,470 --> 00:09:54,990 then you you listed Abrams leopards , 266 00:09:54,990 --> 00:09:57,910 all of that again . These are sovereign 267 00:09:57,910 --> 00:10:00,077 countries making decisions on security 268 00:10:00,077 --> 00:10:02,299 assistance for themselves and what they 269 00:10:02,299 --> 00:10:04,610 can give to Ukraine . Um , we are 270 00:10:04,610 --> 00:10:06,443 incredibly grateful for what our 271 00:10:06,443 --> 00:10:09,160 partners and allies have given so far . 272 00:10:09,170 --> 00:10:12,480 Uh , as you saw , we just announced 31 273 00:10:12,490 --> 00:10:14,657 Abrams . Um , just this week , I think 274 00:10:14,657 --> 00:10:17,260 that is um , it's certainly not a 275 00:10:17,260 --> 00:10:19,260 symbolic commitment is a commitment 276 00:10:19,260 --> 00:10:21,316 that we're in it for the long term . 277 00:10:21,316 --> 00:10:23,740 We're in it for what Ukraine might need 278 00:10:23,750 --> 00:10:26,460 on the battlefield in the , in the 279 00:10:26,460 --> 00:10:28,571 coming future and then further out in 280 00:10:28,571 --> 00:10:30,738 the future . And so , um , I certainly 281 00:10:30,738 --> 00:10:32,904 think that is a commitment that you've 282 00:10:32,904 --> 00:10:35,071 not not only seen from us , but you're 283 00:10:35,071 --> 00:10:37,293 seeing it from other european countries 284 00:10:37,293 --> 00:10:39,127 and allies give their additional 285 00:10:39,127 --> 00:10:41,450 weapons and capabilities . I'm gonna go 286 00:10:41,450 --> 00:10:42,700 to laura politico 287 00:10:47,520 --> 00:10:49,950 hey , thanks Sabrina . Sorry for delay . 288 00:10:49,950 --> 00:10:52,400 I need to unmute myself . Um , just 289 00:10:52,410 --> 00:10:54,577 wondering if you could tell us whether 290 00:10:54,577 --> 00:10:56,577 we are sending the depleted uranium 291 00:10:56,577 --> 00:11:00,230 bullets along with the tanks . I can't 292 00:11:00,230 --> 00:11:02,690 get into any more details about what 293 00:11:02,690 --> 00:11:05,520 we're sending . You've seen the release 294 00:11:05,530 --> 00:11:07,474 posted on defense dot gov . That's 295 00:11:07,474 --> 00:11:09,780 that's about as far in detail as I will 296 00:11:09,780 --> 00:11:11,891 get right now , Laura . Thanks . I'll 297 00:11:11,891 --> 00:11:14,224 come back in the room jenny . Thank you . 298 00:11:14,224 --> 00:11:17,210 Uh , uh upcoming Secretary Austin the 299 00:11:17,220 --> 00:11:19,680 visit to South Korea this weekend . 300 00:11:19,690 --> 00:11:23,660 What agenda will do ? Two secretaries 301 00:11:23,670 --> 00:11:26,840 discuss ? Yeah . Well , I think you'll 302 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:28,951 see the Secretary certainly highlight 303 00:11:28,951 --> 00:11:31,118 our commitment to the region ? I don't 304 00:11:31,118 --> 00:11:33,229 want to get ahead of the Secretary um 305 00:11:33,229 --> 00:11:35,451 and his trip that you just mentioned as 306 00:11:35,451 --> 00:11:37,673 you know , is coming up and heading out 307 00:11:37,673 --> 00:11:39,896 on on sunday . But again our commitment 308 00:11:39,896 --> 00:11:42,870 to South Korea remains rock solid . Um 309 00:11:42,880 --> 00:11:44,880 and he's looking forward to meeting 310 00:11:44,880 --> 00:11:46,936 with his counterparts there . Do you 311 00:11:46,936 --> 00:11:49,820 have any plans for meeting with South 312 00:11:49,820 --> 00:11:53,380 korean ? I don't have any anything to 313 00:11:53,380 --> 00:11:55,602 read out about a meeting now , but with 314 00:11:55,602 --> 00:11:57,436 more details when we're ready to 315 00:11:57,436 --> 00:11:59,380 release more details on the trip , 316 00:11:59,380 --> 00:12:01,680 we're certainly happy . Sure . What is 317 00:12:01,680 --> 00:12:04,990 your view on the weapons there 318 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:08,470 between Russia and the North 319 00:12:08,470 --> 00:12:12,240 Korea ? Well , we've seen the Wagner 320 00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:14,560 group trying to procure and be 321 00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:18,480 successful , procuring uh weapons 322 00:12:18,480 --> 00:12:20,600 from North Korea . I think that shows 323 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,270 further isolation um that Russia is 324 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:25,620 depleting its stocks pretty pretty 325 00:12:25,630 --> 00:12:28,130 quickly and um you know , again when 326 00:12:28,130 --> 00:12:30,297 you're turning to a country like North 327 00:12:30,297 --> 00:12:32,297 Korea Iran , um these are countries 328 00:12:32,297 --> 00:12:34,550 that are already isolated from um an 329 00:12:34,550 --> 00:12:36,950 incredible alliance that has been built 330 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:39,550 around support for Ukraine . Um and so 331 00:12:39,550 --> 00:12:42,200 I'll just leave it at that . Yeah , you 332 00:12:42,200 --> 00:12:44,350 know this morning , africom announced 333 00:12:44,350 --> 00:12:46,461 that the U . S . Military conducted a 334 00:12:46,461 --> 00:12:48,572 successful counterterrorism operation 335 00:12:48,572 --> 00:12:50,739 in Somalia . I just want to see if you 336 00:12:50,739 --> 00:12:52,850 can give us any details on that . Was 337 00:12:52,850 --> 00:12:55,072 that a drone strike ? Who did it target 338 00:12:55,072 --> 00:12:57,640 with ISIS Target . Can you name ? How 339 00:12:57,640 --> 00:12:59,696 did it go ? Yes , you know , african 340 00:12:59,696 --> 00:13:01,640 put out their statement , it was a 341 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:03,862 successful operation , but I just don't 342 00:13:03,862 --> 00:13:05,862 have further details to announce at 343 00:13:05,862 --> 00:13:07,807 this time . I believe they will be 344 00:13:07,807 --> 00:13:09,110 providing some uh soon 345 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:13,220 yesterday when President biden 346 00:13:13,220 --> 00:13:15,190 announced this tank 347 00:13:16,780 --> 00:13:19,810 a tank eight to train , he said , 348 00:13:19,810 --> 00:13:22,143 Secretary Austin advised him to do that . 349 00:13:22,910 --> 00:13:25,300 And could you tell us based on , 350 00:13:25,300 --> 00:13:27,411 because we heard from this department 351 00:13:27,411 --> 00:13:29,689 several times that it's not irrational , 352 00:13:29,689 --> 00:13:31,800 like it's not tactically it's there , 353 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:34,020 it's difficult to maintain sustained . 354 00:13:34,450 --> 00:13:36,950 Could you tell us what was the 355 00:13:36,950 --> 00:13:39,190 rationale behind Secretary Austin's 356 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:42,520 advice ? Was it a political or was it a 357 00:13:42,530 --> 00:13:45,090 military tactical advice ? 358 00:13:46,490 --> 00:13:49,000 The Secretary and the chairman's 359 00:13:49,010 --> 00:13:52,520 position when it came to the the 360 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:55,420 Abrams has not changed . I mean , it is 361 00:13:55,420 --> 00:13:57,587 going to be a challenge to sustain and 362 00:13:57,587 --> 00:14:00,640 maintain these tanks that said um 363 00:14:00,920 --> 00:14:03,080 following the contact group following 364 00:14:03,080 --> 00:14:05,302 meetings with partners and allies there 365 00:14:05,302 --> 00:14:07,524 and again , these are almost 50 nations 366 00:14:07,524 --> 00:14:09,950 participating in the contact group . Um 367 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:11,904 the secretary came away from those 368 00:14:11,904 --> 00:14:15,540 conversations feeling that uh we needed 369 00:14:15,540 --> 00:14:17,596 to provide a long term commitment to 370 00:14:17,596 --> 00:14:20,560 Ukraine and we we know that um 371 00:14:20,850 --> 00:14:22,572 it's not just gonna be armored 372 00:14:22,572 --> 00:14:24,517 personnel carriers , it's not just 373 00:14:24,517 --> 00:14:26,683 gonna be infantry , vehicles , tanks , 374 00:14:26,683 --> 00:14:28,683 I mean , these are all capabilities 375 00:14:28,683 --> 00:14:32,160 that are that are going to enable more 376 00:14:32,160 --> 00:14:34,382 maneuverability , but it's not just one 377 00:14:34,382 --> 00:14:36,604 system that's gonna be the , you know , 378 00:14:36,604 --> 00:14:38,827 the magic wand , that all of a suddenly 379 00:14:38,827 --> 00:14:40,960 ends this war . Um but finding a long 380 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:43,127 term commitment was something that the 381 00:14:43,127 --> 00:14:45,293 Secretary felt very strongly about and 382 00:14:45,293 --> 00:14:47,182 that is why he recommended to the 383 00:14:47,182 --> 00:14:49,127 president that we do provide these 384 00:14:49,127 --> 00:14:51,016 Abrams . And you know , I've seen 385 00:14:51,016 --> 00:14:53,182 people say , well this is the symbolic 386 00:14:53,182 --> 00:14:55,293 of um you know , something just given 387 00:14:55,293 --> 00:14:57,404 to Ukraine's , you could unlock other 388 00:14:57,404 --> 00:14:59,516 allies to to give their tanks . And I 389 00:14:59,516 --> 00:15:02,180 would say to that that I don't think of 390 00:15:02,180 --> 00:15:06,010 battalion of Abrams given to Ukraine is 391 00:15:06,010 --> 00:15:07,843 at all symbolic . This is a real 392 00:15:07,843 --> 00:15:11,700 capability that will um certainly 393 00:15:11,700 --> 00:15:14,880 give Ukraine an upper edge on the 394 00:15:14,880 --> 00:15:18,080 battlefield . Ukrainians are asking 395 00:15:18,090 --> 00:15:21,090 many other complicated sophisticated 396 00:15:21,100 --> 00:15:24,450 systems as well . But but thanks , 397 00:15:24,850 --> 00:15:27,640 can you explain to us celebrate on how 398 00:15:27,640 --> 00:15:30,990 these Abrams are going to play into the 399 00:15:30,990 --> 00:15:33,212 long term commitment ? What do you mean 400 00:15:33,212 --> 00:15:35,323 by that ? I really don't get . Well , 401 00:15:35,323 --> 00:15:37,379 the long term commitment is we don't 402 00:15:37,379 --> 00:15:39,379 know when this war is gonna end . I 403 00:15:39,379 --> 00:15:41,546 mean it could end tomorrow if Vladimir 404 00:15:41,546 --> 00:15:43,546 Putin decided , but it doesn't seem 405 00:15:43,546 --> 00:15:45,630 that he is um going to make that 406 00:15:45,630 --> 00:15:47,960 decision . So this this work could go 407 00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:50,182 on until the end of the year . It could 408 00:15:50,182 --> 00:15:53,060 go on for many years . And so by giving 409 00:15:53,060 --> 00:15:55,338 these Abrams through the U . S . A . I . 410 00:15:55,338 --> 00:15:57,100 Package that shows a long term 411 00:15:57,100 --> 00:15:59,690 commitment to Ukraine and I think 412 00:15:59,700 --> 00:16:02,220 really sends a message um that our 413 00:16:02,230 --> 00:16:04,341 allies and partners are united in our 414 00:16:04,341 --> 00:16:06,970 support for Ukraine and we are not 415 00:16:06,970 --> 00:16:09,520 going to stand for Russia's again 416 00:16:09,520 --> 00:16:13,040 illegal invasion of Ukraine , why not F 417 00:16:13,040 --> 00:16:16,030 16 and tax . I'm sorry . I don't 418 00:16:16,030 --> 00:16:17,919 understand the question as we are 419 00:16:17,919 --> 00:16:20,197 talking about the long term commitment . 420 00:16:20,197 --> 00:16:22,310 Why ? We are not discussing F 16 to 421 00:16:22,310 --> 00:16:24,580 Ukraine instead were saying tanks 422 00:16:26,680 --> 00:16:29,040 commitment . But we haven't we have 423 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:30,984 other , we haven't announced other 424 00:16:30,984 --> 00:16:32,484 packages . Again , we have 425 00:16:32,484 --> 00:16:34,707 authorization from Congress to continue 426 00:16:34,707 --> 00:16:36,873 to have presidential drawdowns , other 427 00:16:36,873 --> 00:16:38,929 security assistance packages . So we 428 00:16:38,929 --> 00:16:40,762 are going to continue to provide 429 00:16:40,762 --> 00:16:42,984 Ukraine with what it needs in the short 430 00:16:42,984 --> 00:16:46,880 term . And the long term questions is 431 00:16:46,890 --> 00:16:50,540 the M one model is going to Ukraine 432 00:16:50,550 --> 00:16:52,606 gonna be the same as the M ones that 433 00:16:52,606 --> 00:16:55,220 are going to be going to Poland because 434 00:16:55,230 --> 00:16:57,420 general Dynamics says Poland's getting 435 00:16:57,420 --> 00:17:00,370 the M one a 2 73 at the top of the line . 436 00:17:01,320 --> 00:17:03,542 I mean it's always gonna be the same as 437 00:17:03,542 --> 00:17:05,653 Poland's getting . I'm just gonna say 438 00:17:05,653 --> 00:17:05,510 that it's going to be the M one A two . 439 00:17:05,510 --> 00:17:07,232 I'm not gonna get into further 440 00:17:07,232 --> 00:17:09,900 specifics on that . Can you comment on 441 00:17:09,910 --> 00:17:12,150 Russian , the Russian ambassador here 442 00:17:12,150 --> 00:17:14,317 said that this isn't , you know , it's 443 00:17:14,317 --> 00:17:16,800 an escalation of I mean , I feel like 444 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:18,856 I've heard that talking point before 445 00:17:18,856 --> 00:17:20,856 from them when it was there was the 446 00:17:20,856 --> 00:17:22,856 javelins that we were giving or the 447 00:17:22,856 --> 00:17:24,967 high mars and then the patriot . Uh , 448 00:17:24,967 --> 00:17:26,990 everything seems , I guess to be an 449 00:17:26,990 --> 00:17:29,157 escalation . I don't view it as that . 450 00:17:29,157 --> 00:17:31,434 Uh , this is a war that Russia started , 451 00:17:31,434 --> 00:17:34,810 uh , invading a sovereign state . And 452 00:17:34,820 --> 00:17:38,580 um , I the only escalation 453 00:17:38,580 --> 00:17:41,430 here is the continued barrage of 454 00:17:41,430 --> 00:17:43,880 whether it's Russian strikes against an 455 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:46,510 electrical grid or killing innocent 456 00:17:46,510 --> 00:17:50,360 Ukrainian civilians . Um That is that 457 00:17:50,360 --> 00:17:52,471 is the escalation that we're seeing . 458 00:17:52,471 --> 00:17:54,693 So I don't view our support for Ukraine 459 00:17:54,693 --> 00:17:57,027 as any escalation at all . Great , Yeah , 460 00:17:57,027 --> 00:17:59,138 I think Sabrina , so we're sending in 461 00:17:59,138 --> 00:18:01,249 the tanks , they could be susceptible 462 00:18:01,249 --> 00:18:03,416 to air attacks . Does it make sense to 463 00:18:03,416 --> 00:18:05,360 send in air defense ? Like they're 464 00:18:05,360 --> 00:18:07,416 mentioning the F 16 , is that next ? 465 00:18:07,416 --> 00:18:09,527 And it seems like we keep pushing the 466 00:18:09,527 --> 00:18:11,582 envelope on on what we're sending as 467 00:18:11,582 --> 00:18:13,749 the war evolve . So I was curious what 468 00:18:13,749 --> 00:18:15,916 is the new line for us here ? Well , I 469 00:18:15,916 --> 00:18:18,249 don't know that we've ever drawn a line . 470 00:18:18,249 --> 00:18:17,910 We've certainly , you know , we're not 471 00:18:17,910 --> 00:18:20,188 gonna take anything off the table here . 472 00:18:20,188 --> 00:18:22,460 Um , we are given air defense 473 00:18:22,460 --> 00:18:24,682 capability systems and you know , we're 474 00:18:24,682 --> 00:18:26,627 training the U . K . On the on the 475 00:18:26,627 --> 00:18:28,682 patriots right now . Um , we've seen 476 00:18:28,682 --> 00:18:30,904 them make incredible use of some of the 477 00:18:30,904 --> 00:18:33,071 air capabilities that not just we have 478 00:18:33,071 --> 00:18:35,182 given , but other countries and other 479 00:18:35,182 --> 00:18:37,900 partners . Um , in terms of what's next . 480 00:18:37,900 --> 00:18:39,956 You know , again , I'm not gonna get 481 00:18:39,956 --> 00:18:42,178 ahead of any packages that haven't been 482 00:18:42,178 --> 00:18:44,067 announced or any decisions by the 483 00:18:44,067 --> 00:18:46,011 president or the secretary , but I 484 00:18:46,011 --> 00:18:48,178 think our commitment remains as you've 485 00:18:48,178 --> 00:18:50,122 seen , um pretty forceful with the 486 00:18:50,122 --> 00:18:52,122 Ukraine Ukraine . That was the next 487 00:18:52,122 --> 00:18:54,233 thing they were asking for just after 488 00:18:54,233 --> 00:18:56,344 this decision was made yesterday with 489 00:18:56,344 --> 00:18:58,511 the tanks was the F 16 . So I was just 490 00:18:58,511 --> 00:18:58,470 curious if that was on the table or up 491 00:18:58,470 --> 00:19:00,540 for discussion . I saw nothing to 492 00:19:00,540 --> 00:19:04,480 announce today . Thanks . My question 493 00:19:04,490 --> 00:19:07,000 is about the follow up of procurement 494 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:09,720 of the tanks . You just said that you 495 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:12,920 will provide aid to the top of the line 496 00:19:13,440 --> 00:19:15,980 of Abrams to the Kiev . But some 497 00:19:15,980 --> 00:19:17,980 reports suggest that because of the 498 00:19:17,980 --> 00:19:20,740 secret army of the Abrams in the U . S . 499 00:19:20,750 --> 00:19:23,020 Army , the United States does not want 500 00:19:23,020 --> 00:19:25,430 to send its tanks and decide to order 501 00:19:25,430 --> 00:19:27,520 from the manufacturers rather than 502 00:19:27,530 --> 00:19:30,480 pulling from the stockpiles to prevent 503 00:19:30,490 --> 00:19:32,790 these secrets to be discovered by 504 00:19:32,790 --> 00:19:36,160 Russians . Can you confirm this reports ? 505 00:19:36,170 --> 00:19:39,320 I cannot , no I have nothing to say . I 506 00:19:39,330 --> 00:19:41,274 cannot confirm that report . We're 507 00:19:41,274 --> 00:19:43,800 giving the M . One a two variant of the 508 00:19:43,810 --> 00:19:46,510 of the tank . Again this is something 509 00:19:46,510 --> 00:19:49,190 that we're trying to uh newly procure 510 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,422 through the U . S . A . I . But I would 511 00:19:51,422 --> 00:19:53,589 just I have nothing else to comment on 512 00:19:53,589 --> 00:19:56,400 that . Yes thank you very much wanted 513 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,567 to get back to the Russian allegations 514 00:19:58,567 --> 00:20:00,567 about this is an escalatory step by 515 00:20:00,567 --> 00:20:02,456 sending the tanks . You said that 516 00:20:02,456 --> 00:20:04,678 you've heard that type of language from 517 00:20:04,678 --> 00:20:06,844 Russia time and time again , is it the 518 00:20:06,844 --> 00:20:08,844 sense in the pentagon that Russia's 519 00:20:08,844 --> 00:20:11,510 rhetoric is just bluster and that they 520 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:13,970 don't have the capacity now to really 521 00:20:13,970 --> 00:20:16,230 strike back or further escalate or draw 522 00:20:16,230 --> 00:20:18,390 some sort of red line that would 523 00:20:18,400 --> 00:20:20,510 escalate the conflict perhaps to a 524 00:20:20,510 --> 00:20:23,870 nuclear level or something else . Um No 525 00:20:23,870 --> 00:20:25,860 I would I mean you know , we we of 526 00:20:25,860 --> 00:20:28,190 course take what Russia says . So 527 00:20:28,210 --> 00:20:30,570 seriously . I think we've just heard 528 00:20:30,570 --> 00:20:32,570 that line before that every time we 529 00:20:32,570 --> 00:20:34,459 announced a new round of security 530 00:20:34,459 --> 00:20:36,626 assistance , they always seem to say , 531 00:20:36,626 --> 00:20:38,792 well , this is escalatory again . What 532 00:20:38,792 --> 00:20:41,460 is escalatory is them continuing this 533 00:20:41,460 --> 00:20:43,793 war each and every day where , you know , 534 00:20:43,793 --> 00:20:45,960 Vladimir Putin could make the decision 535 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:47,960 tomorrow to end it ? Um , you had a 536 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:50,060 question on , I'm sorry , and I'm 537 00:20:50,070 --> 00:20:52,740 blanking on the second part of it is 538 00:20:52,740 --> 00:20:54,962 the sense in the pentagon that there is 539 00:20:54,962 --> 00:20:57,580 no red line now , that would cause 540 00:20:57,580 --> 00:21:00,820 Russia to do something to take the war 541 00:21:00,820 --> 00:21:02,931 to a level that would involve NATO or 542 00:21:02,931 --> 00:21:05,370 an attack on NATO or the use of 543 00:21:05,380 --> 00:21:07,436 tactical nukes as they've threatened 544 00:21:07,436 --> 00:21:09,547 before . Well , again , we've seen no 545 00:21:09,547 --> 00:21:11,769 indication that Russia intends to use a 546 00:21:11,769 --> 00:21:13,769 nuclear weapon . Um , you know , in 547 00:21:13,769 --> 00:21:16,140 terms of a red a line that would be 548 00:21:16,140 --> 00:21:18,362 crossed , you know , I would leave that 549 00:21:18,362 --> 00:21:20,560 to Russia to answer that . Um , all we 550 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:23,090 can continue to do is to continue to 551 00:21:23,090 --> 00:21:25,201 support Ukraine with what it needs on 552 00:21:25,201 --> 00:21:27,423 the battlefield . And that's why you're 553 00:21:27,423 --> 00:21:31,060 seeing immediate , uh , support going 554 00:21:31,070 --> 00:21:33,126 flowing in right away to the country 555 00:21:33,126 --> 00:21:34,848 and then also seeing long term 556 00:21:34,848 --> 00:21:36,848 commitments . But in terms of , you 557 00:21:36,848 --> 00:21:39,530 know , what Russia says , again , we we 558 00:21:39,530 --> 00:21:42,700 do take seriously their threats against , 559 00:21:42,710 --> 00:21:44,520 uh , Ukraine against any of our 560 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:47,380 partners and allies . Um , but , you 561 00:21:47,380 --> 00:21:49,920 know , the constant barrage of missiles 562 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:52,087 coming down on the Ukrainian civilians 563 00:21:52,087 --> 00:21:54,253 on electrical grids and infrastructure 564 00:21:54,253 --> 00:21:56,198 again this war could stop tomorrow 565 00:21:56,198 --> 00:21:59,520 today . Um , and so , you know , we're 566 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:01,742 going to continue to stand with Ukraine 567 00:22:01,742 --> 00:22:04,450 for as long as it takes . There's less 568 00:22:04,450 --> 00:22:07,130 pause here in the US when Russia makes 569 00:22:07,130 --> 00:22:09,241 those threats regarding the provision 570 00:22:09,241 --> 00:22:11,440 of more advanced weapons systems . I 571 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:15,240 mean I'm I trying to I feel like I've 572 00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:17,240 answered that question , but I just 573 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:19,296 want to say that again . We've heard 574 00:22:19,296 --> 00:22:21,518 these comments from Russia before we do 575 00:22:21,518 --> 00:22:23,740 take what Russia says seriously if they 576 00:22:23,740 --> 00:22:25,760 are going to threaten a partner and 577 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:29,030 ally us . But we've heard them say 578 00:22:29,030 --> 00:22:30,770 before that these actions are 579 00:22:30,770 --> 00:22:34,230 escalatory . We are going to continue 580 00:22:34,230 --> 00:22:36,452 to provide Ukraine what it needs and we 581 00:22:36,452 --> 00:22:38,452 are in this for the long term . And 582 00:22:38,452 --> 00:22:40,452 you've heard the president say that 583 00:22:40,452 --> 00:22:42,619 you've heard the secretary uh say that 584 00:22:42,619 --> 00:22:44,786 and I think our announcement this week 585 00:22:44,786 --> 00:22:46,841 just reaffirms that I'm gonna take a 586 00:22:46,841 --> 00:22:46,270 few more before we have to add up . 587 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:49,840 Yeah . Um recently there was a media 588 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:52,390 report saying that the US decided not 589 00:22:52,400 --> 00:22:54,600 to deploy ground , ground and 590 00:22:54,610 --> 00:22:57,360 intermediate range missiles to Japan . 591 00:22:57,370 --> 00:23:00,050 So could you give us a comment on this ? 592 00:23:00,060 --> 00:23:02,630 And also I'm wondering what could be 593 00:23:02,630 --> 00:23:05,450 the significance of the growing U . S . 594 00:23:05,450 --> 00:23:07,561 Medium range missiles in there in the 595 00:23:07,561 --> 00:23:10,700 pacific region . And also I'm wondering 596 00:23:10,710 --> 00:23:13,290 if this posture planning could be 597 00:23:13,290 --> 00:23:15,620 affected by the recent Decision by 598 00:23:15,630 --> 00:23:18,810 Japan to have contrast right capability 599 00:23:18,820 --> 00:23:21,670 including long range . Okay , so a lot 600 00:23:21,670 --> 00:23:23,892 there . Um so I've seen the reporting , 601 00:23:23,892 --> 00:23:26,059 you know , the , the department has no 602 00:23:26,059 --> 00:23:29,180 plans to deploy capabilities to Japan 603 00:23:29,240 --> 00:23:32,680 with a range beyond 500 km . Um , 604 00:23:32,690 --> 00:23:34,912 so the reporting , I would , you know , 605 00:23:34,912 --> 00:23:37,070 dispute that . I think this press 606 00:23:37,070 --> 00:23:39,570 speculation on the intermediate range 607 00:23:39,580 --> 00:23:41,524 missiles that you were just asking 608 00:23:41,524 --> 00:23:43,740 about . Um , that's inaccurate . We're 609 00:23:43,740 --> 00:23:45,550 not going to further comment on 610 00:23:45,550 --> 00:23:47,900 internal discussions , but our 611 00:23:47,900 --> 00:23:50,720 commitment to Japan remains rock solid . 612 00:23:50,730 --> 00:23:52,897 Um , as you saw from the meetings that 613 00:23:52,897 --> 00:23:54,952 we had just a few weeks ago with the 614 00:23:54,952 --> 00:23:57,119 secretary , um , in the two plus two . 615 00:23:57,119 --> 00:23:59,230 So , um , again , we are always going 616 00:23:59,230 --> 00:24:01,286 to continue to modernize and enhance 617 00:24:01,286 --> 00:24:04,100 our security capabilities in the region , 618 00:24:04,100 --> 00:24:06,200 but um , I just have nothing more to 619 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:08,311 add on those reports . Great , yeah , 620 00:24:08,311 --> 00:24:11,730 chris issue . 621 00:24:11,870 --> 00:24:14,480 Um , you've talked and the department 622 00:24:14,480 --> 00:24:16,313 has talked a lot about providing 623 00:24:16,313 --> 00:24:19,080 Ukraine with a comprehensive ability , 624 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:21,530 a combined arms ability . I'm not 625 00:24:21,530 --> 00:24:23,752 asking you to get ahead of any specific 626 00:24:23,752 --> 00:24:25,808 announcements on specific aircraft , 627 00:24:25,808 --> 00:24:28,000 but why does the department , why is 628 00:24:28,000 --> 00:24:30,130 the department viewed aircraft , 629 00:24:30,140 --> 00:24:32,520 fighter aircraft as not something that 630 00:24:32,530 --> 00:24:36,110 Ukraine needs so far ? I don't 631 00:24:36,120 --> 00:24:38,450 think that we've said that , but we are 632 00:24:38,450 --> 00:24:40,960 providing them capabilities that they 633 00:24:40,960 --> 00:24:43,730 need on the battlefield right now . Um , 634 00:24:43,740 --> 00:24:46,910 part of that is the armored personnel 635 00:24:46,910 --> 00:24:49,021 vehicles , the infantry vehicles that 636 00:24:49,021 --> 00:24:51,243 were providing the tanks . Um , we have 637 00:24:51,243 --> 00:24:53,690 not said that they don't need air 638 00:24:53,690 --> 00:24:55,746 support . That's why we're providing 639 00:24:55,746 --> 00:24:58,090 them air defenses . Um , so I kind of 640 00:24:58,090 --> 00:25:00,257 pushed back on the characterization of 641 00:25:00,257 --> 00:25:02,390 that question . Um , but again , I'm 642 00:25:02,390 --> 00:25:04,334 just not going to get ahead of any 643 00:25:04,334 --> 00:25:06,446 future package that we , that we have 644 00:25:06,446 --> 00:25:08,612 to announce . I'm gonna go back to the 645 00:25:08,612 --> 00:25:10,834 phones here , Caitlyn , new york post . 646 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:12,991 Hi . Thank you so much . I appreciate 647 00:25:12,991 --> 00:25:15,070 it . Hey , um , I'm just wondering , 648 00:25:15,070 --> 00:25:17,181 you know , can you tell us at all you 649 00:25:17,181 --> 00:25:19,292 know why the german and british tanks 650 00:25:19,292 --> 00:25:21,348 are easier to get to the battlefield 651 00:25:21,348 --> 00:25:23,459 sooner ? You know , is it really only 652 00:25:23,459 --> 00:25:25,570 the in one's gas turbine and jet fuel 653 00:25:25,570 --> 00:25:27,681 logistics issue that's kind of making 654 00:25:27,681 --> 00:25:29,850 it slower and needing more training . 655 00:25:29,850 --> 00:25:31,906 And then also to come back to Jeff's 656 00:25:31,906 --> 00:25:33,906 question , why can't the device the 657 00:25:33,906 --> 00:25:36,080 divested Marine Corps tanks be sent ? 658 00:25:36,080 --> 00:25:38,191 Is there some reason that Ukraine can 659 00:25:38,191 --> 00:25:41,850 only receive new tanks ? Um , or I mean , 660 00:25:41,850 --> 00:25:43,794 honestly , was the decision to use 661 00:25:43,794 --> 00:25:47,510 these funds partly made to delay 662 00:25:47,510 --> 00:25:50,590 delivery ? No , I would say I would . 663 00:25:50,600 --> 00:25:53,110 Again , we are using the U . S . A . I 664 00:25:53,110 --> 00:25:55,166 to show a long term commitment , but 665 00:25:55,166 --> 00:25:57,440 it's not about delay . We just do not 666 00:25:57,440 --> 00:25:59,990 have these Abrams available in our 667 00:25:59,990 --> 00:26:02,110 stocks to give the Ukrainians at this 668 00:26:02,110 --> 00:26:05,200 time . Um , in terms of the , the other 669 00:26:05,200 --> 00:26:07,422 tanks that , you know , there are other 670 00:26:07,422 --> 00:26:09,533 specifications on , um , whether it's 671 00:26:09,533 --> 00:26:11,644 the challengers at the leos , I'm not 672 00:26:11,644 --> 00:26:13,367 going to get into those , uh , 673 00:26:13,367 --> 00:26:15,089 specifically , I think there's 674 00:26:15,089 --> 00:26:17,256 information available out there that , 675 00:26:17,256 --> 00:26:19,367 you know , you could look into on why 676 00:26:19,367 --> 00:26:21,644 one is more mobile than the other . Um , 677 00:26:21,644 --> 00:26:23,867 I believe they're also I think slightly 678 00:26:23,867 --> 00:26:26,420 lighter tanks so just slightly easier 679 00:26:26,420 --> 00:26:29,520 to transport but again I think just on 680 00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:32,280 the nose that um you know , there was 681 00:26:32,280 --> 00:26:34,890 some type of delay . The U . S . A . I 682 00:26:34,900 --> 00:26:37,011 does show a long term commitment here 683 00:26:37,011 --> 00:26:38,900 but again , we did not have these 684 00:26:38,900 --> 00:26:41,067 Abrams available in our stocks to give 685 00:26:41,067 --> 00:26:43,067 the Ukrainians and that's why we're 686 00:26:43,067 --> 00:26:45,450 looking to procure them and procure new 687 00:26:45,450 --> 00:26:48,920 tanks . And when we have more 688 00:26:48,920 --> 00:26:51,142 information to update you on , I will I 689 00:26:51,142 --> 00:26:53,253 will certainly do that . I'm gonna go 690 00:26:53,253 --> 00:26:55,531 to one more question on the phone here . 691 00:26:55,531 --> 00:26:57,031 Oscar polish news agency . 692 00:27:01,870 --> 00:27:05,730 Hi , thank you for taking the question . 693 00:27:05,740 --> 00:27:09,660 I was wondering um can you , so 694 00:27:09,670 --> 00:27:13,630 since the thanks will be new , will it 695 00:27:13,640 --> 00:27:16,540 um the production impact the ongoing 696 00:27:16,540 --> 00:27:19,950 production of and and deliveries of M 697 00:27:19,950 --> 00:27:23,270 one A two A two to Poland 698 00:27:23,270 --> 00:27:26,200 and well , you know , so so the 699 00:27:26,200 --> 00:27:29,110 delivery to Poland is scheduled for 700 00:27:29,120 --> 00:27:32,310 2025 . So I'm wondering 701 00:27:32,310 --> 00:27:36,040 if the um Ukraine 702 00:27:36,040 --> 00:27:38,940 delivery will not take months but maybe 703 00:27:38,940 --> 00:27:42,210 years . Thank you . Thank Oscar for the 704 00:27:42,210 --> 00:27:45,210 question . So again , just just to be 705 00:27:45,210 --> 00:27:47,321 clear here , our intent is to procure 706 00:27:47,321 --> 00:27:50,610 new tanks . Now if we cannot or if if 707 00:27:50,610 --> 00:27:53,490 there are updates that I will certainly 708 00:27:53,490 --> 00:27:55,601 let you know but I'm not going to get 709 00:27:55,601 --> 00:27:57,657 into the specifications or technical 710 00:27:57,657 --> 00:28:01,210 details of what , what is in the 711 00:28:01,220 --> 00:28:03,990 like the the tanks and more specificity , 712 00:28:03,990 --> 00:28:06,157 all I can tell you is that it is the M 713 00:28:06,157 --> 00:28:07,990 one A two . Now . I didn't put a 714 00:28:07,990 --> 00:28:10,157 timeline on anything . Um , so I'm not 715 00:28:10,157 --> 00:28:12,379 sure where you're getting 2025 here . I 716 00:28:12,379 --> 00:28:14,268 just said that it's going to take 717 00:28:14,268 --> 00:28:16,601 months . This is a long term commitment , 718 00:28:16,601 --> 00:28:18,657 but I just don't have a timeline for 719 00:28:18,657 --> 00:28:18,560 you of when these tanks will be 720 00:28:18,560 --> 00:28:20,782 delivered to Ukraine . Okay . I'm gonna 721 00:28:20,782 --> 00:28:22,838 come back in the room and then we'll 722 00:28:22,838 --> 00:28:25,060 have to head out . Yeah , Thank you . I 723 00:28:25,060 --> 00:28:27,227 would like to follow up from uh F 16 . 724 00:28:27,227 --> 00:28:30,810 Okay . So without getting into specific 725 00:28:30,820 --> 00:28:32,850 cases , could you please talk about 726 00:28:32,880 --> 00:28:35,460 general the possibility and um , 727 00:28:35,470 --> 00:28:38,620 obstacles to provide such ? Uh , 728 00:28:39,410 --> 00:28:41,577 well , you know , this is a capability 729 00:28:41,577 --> 00:28:43,521 that would require training , um , 730 00:28:43,521 --> 00:28:45,632 would require more people to come off 731 00:28:45,632 --> 00:28:47,632 the battlefield to learn a new , an 732 00:28:47,632 --> 00:28:49,632 entirely new system . Um , uh , and 733 00:28:49,632 --> 00:28:51,854 again , the Ukrainians have proven that 734 00:28:51,854 --> 00:28:54,077 they can , they can learn complicated , 735 00:28:54,077 --> 00:28:56,188 complex challenging systems . Um , it 736 00:28:56,188 --> 00:28:58,299 is more in terms of like the Abrams , 737 00:28:58,299 --> 00:29:00,132 it is more the sustainment , the 738 00:29:00,132 --> 00:29:01,743 maintenance when it's on the 739 00:29:01,743 --> 00:29:03,688 battlefield . Um , with the F 16 . 740 00:29:03,688 --> 00:29:05,910 Again , another challenging system that 741 00:29:05,910 --> 00:29:08,770 would require training . Um , and I'm 742 00:29:08,770 --> 00:29:10,437 not going to get ahead of any 743 00:29:10,437 --> 00:29:12,381 announcement cause I don't have an 744 00:29:12,381 --> 00:29:12,250 announcement today . So I'll leave it 745 00:29:12,250 --> 00:29:15,130 at that . Yes , Russia reportedly has a 746 00:29:15,130 --> 00:29:17,350 ship with hypersonic missiles on it in 747 00:29:17,350 --> 00:29:19,517 the mid atlantic , should americans be 748 00:29:19,517 --> 00:29:22,230 concerned . We've seen reports of that . 749 00:29:22,240 --> 00:29:24,407 The Coast Guard , I believe I spoke to 750 00:29:24,407 --> 00:29:26,407 this last week actually . The Coast 751 00:29:26,407 --> 00:29:28,629 Guard is monitoring um the Russian ship 752 00:29:28,629 --> 00:29:30,629 but it's operating in international 753 00:29:30,629 --> 00:29:32,851 waters . We've seen this before . Um We 754 00:29:32,851 --> 00:29:34,351 haven't seen any unsafe or 755 00:29:34,351 --> 00:29:36,407 unprofessional behavior . So I don't 756 00:29:36,407 --> 00:29:38,351 think americans need to be worried 757 00:29:38,351 --> 00:29:40,462 about that . Um but we'll continue to 758 00:29:40,462 --> 00:29:42,518 monitor louis . Just to clarify , He 759 00:29:42,518 --> 00:29:44,518 was asking about the mid atlantic . 760 00:29:44,518 --> 00:29:47,590 Same . Sorry , same as that . I'm sorry . 761 00:29:47,590 --> 00:29:49,757 I was remembering from last week about 762 00:29:49,757 --> 00:29:51,690 the Russian ship off the coast of 763 00:29:51,700 --> 00:29:54,850 Hawaii again . Yeah , can you confirm 764 00:29:54,850 --> 00:29:57,270 that has hypersonic missiles ? I cannot . 765 00:29:57,280 --> 00:29:59,336 I cannot . I would have to look into 766 00:29:59,336 --> 00:30:01,502 that for you . I just don't know . But 767 00:30:01,502 --> 00:30:03,447 I would again we have not seen any 768 00:30:03,447 --> 00:30:05,810 unprofessional unsafe behavior and so 769 00:30:05,970 --> 00:30:08,026 there's no need for concern . Yeah . 770 00:30:08,026 --> 00:30:10,690 I'll take one more you about the 771 00:30:10,700 --> 00:30:13,860 divested marine tanks . I don't know if 772 00:30:13,870 --> 00:30:15,870 you might not have it . But can you 773 00:30:15,870 --> 00:30:18,148 take the question , where are they now ? 774 00:30:18,148 --> 00:30:20,314 What happened to those tanks ? I don't 775 00:30:20,314 --> 00:30:22,426 know where those are . I'm happy take 776 00:30:22,426 --> 00:30:24,592 the question . But again , in terms of 777 00:30:24,592 --> 00:30:26,648 our procurement of these Abrams , we 778 00:30:26,648 --> 00:30:28,870 are looking to procure our intent is to 779 00:30:28,870 --> 00:30:31,380 procure new tanks so 780 00:30:34,700 --> 00:30:36,922 I don't have to look and I just don't I 781 00:30:36,922 --> 00:30:39,089 just don't know off the top of my head 782 00:30:39,089 --> 00:30:41,311 right here . So I'd have to get back to 783 00:30:41,311 --> 00:30:40,760 you on that . Um Sorry , there's an 784 00:30:40,760 --> 00:30:42,980 event coming up soon . So we're gonna 785 00:30:42,980 --> 00:30:45,170 have to wrap up . But Happy weekend . 786 00:30:45,180 --> 00:30:46,320 Happy early weekend