1 00:00:00,130 --> 00:00:02,870 Good afternoon , everyone . There's a 2 00:00:02,870 --> 00:00:04,926 few things at the top and then we'll 3 00:00:04,926 --> 00:00:06,926 get right to your questions . Uh So 4 00:00:06,926 --> 00:00:08,703 first , as you can see , we are 5 00:00:08,703 --> 00:00:10,870 conducting press briefings here in our 6 00:00:10,870 --> 00:00:12,981 temporary press briefing room . While 7 00:00:12,981 --> 00:00:14,890 our primary location undergoes 8 00:00:14,890 --> 00:00:16,890 extensive technical renovations and 9 00:00:16,890 --> 00:00:19,250 upgrades . We do greatly , greatly 10 00:00:19,250 --> 00:00:20,861 appreciate your patience and 11 00:00:20,861 --> 00:00:23,028 flexibility as we work to install some 12 00:00:23,028 --> 00:00:25,139 long overdue upgrades to the Pentagon 13 00:00:25,139 --> 00:00:27,250 Press briefing room because we do not 14 00:00:27,250 --> 00:00:29,306 have internet or phone capability in 15 00:00:29,306 --> 00:00:31,528 this area of the Pentagon for a variety 16 00:00:31,528 --> 00:00:33,730 of reasons are normal calling options 17 00:00:33,730 --> 00:00:35,960 will not be available . So for those 18 00:00:35,990 --> 00:00:38,101 who have had to call and we apologize 19 00:00:38,101 --> 00:00:40,580 for the inconvenience . However , we 20 00:00:40,580 --> 00:00:42,802 will aim to get our briefing transcript 21 00:00:42,802 --> 00:00:45,024 and the audio up as quickly as possible 22 00:00:45,024 --> 00:00:47,247 for reporting purposes will also aim to 23 00:00:47,247 --> 00:00:49,469 answer your questions through our D O D 24 00:00:49,469 --> 00:00:51,580 press desk . When you send them to us 25 00:00:51,580 --> 00:00:53,747 moving forward , we'll look at ways to 26 00:00:53,747 --> 00:00:55,913 improve our briefing operations in the 27 00:00:55,913 --> 00:00:57,747 facilitation and expect that our 28 00:00:57,747 --> 00:00:59,747 regular press briefings will resume 29 00:00:59,747 --> 00:01:01,691 back in the press briefing room in 30 00:01:01,691 --> 00:01:04,660 middle to late May . So again , we 31 00:01:04,660 --> 00:01:06,271 appreciate your patience and 32 00:01:06,271 --> 00:01:08,327 flexibility and extend our thanks to 33 00:01:08,327 --> 00:01:10,327 the Department of the Air Force for 34 00:01:10,327 --> 00:01:12,549 allowing us to use Airmen's Hall as our 35 00:01:12,549 --> 00:01:14,549 temporary briefing home . And other 36 00:01:14,549 --> 00:01:16,271 news secretary Austin returned 37 00:01:16,271 --> 00:01:18,493 yesterday from a very productive series 38 00:01:18,493 --> 00:01:20,549 of meetings in the Republic of Korea 39 00:01:20,549 --> 00:01:22,771 and the Philippines . The secretary and 40 00:01:22,771 --> 00:01:24,882 his Korean counterpart , Minister Lee 41 00:01:24,882 --> 00:01:27,104 Jong Suk jointly reaffirmed measures to 42 00:01:27,104 --> 00:01:29,049 enhance extended deterrence on the 43 00:01:29,049 --> 00:01:30,993 Korean Peninsula . The two leaders 44 00:01:30,993 --> 00:01:32,771 additionally pledged to closely 45 00:01:32,771 --> 00:01:34,670 cooperate regarding U S strategic 46 00:01:34,670 --> 00:01:37,480 assets in the future as well as further 47 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:39,720 expand and bolster the level and scale 48 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,570 of combined exercises and training . 49 00:01:44,100 --> 00:01:46,156 And the Philippines Secretary Austin 50 00:01:46,156 --> 00:01:48,211 had his first in person meeting with 51 00:01:48,211 --> 00:01:50,500 his counterpart , Secretary Galvez and 52 00:01:50,500 --> 00:01:52,611 reiterated that the U S commitment to 53 00:01:52,611 --> 00:01:55,130 Philippine security is ironclad . The 54 00:01:55,130 --> 00:01:57,380 secretary expressed his appreciation 55 00:01:57,380 --> 00:01:59,436 for the Philippines approval of four 56 00:01:59,436 --> 00:02:01,300 new enhanced defense cooperation 57 00:02:01,300 --> 00:02:03,830 agreement locations and both Secretary 58 00:02:03,830 --> 00:02:06,380 Austin and Secretary Galvez noted that 59 00:02:06,380 --> 00:02:08,640 the E D C A is a key pillar of alliance 60 00:02:08,640 --> 00:02:11,020 cooperation and supports combined 61 00:02:11,020 --> 00:02:13,770 training exercises and interoperability . 62 00:02:14,350 --> 00:02:16,517 Separately , the Department of Defense 63 00:02:16,517 --> 00:02:18,406 announced today a significant new 64 00:02:18,406 --> 00:02:20,350 package of security assistance for 65 00:02:20,350 --> 00:02:21,906 Ukraine . This includes the 66 00:02:21,906 --> 00:02:23,683 authorization of a presidential 67 00:02:23,683 --> 00:02:25,850 drawdown of security assistance valued 68 00:02:25,850 --> 00:02:28,350 at up to $425 million as well as 69 00:02:28,350 --> 00:02:32,350 $1.75 billion . And Ukraine security 70 00:02:32,350 --> 00:02:34,670 assistance initiative funds the 71 00:02:34,670 --> 00:02:36,970 presidential drawdown is the 31st such 72 00:02:36,970 --> 00:02:38,820 drawdown of equipment from D O D 73 00:02:38,820 --> 00:02:41,440 inventories for Ukraine . In total . 74 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:43,570 The us has now committed $32 billion 75 00:02:43,570 --> 00:02:47,500 2014 76 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:50,680 and 29.3 billion since Russia's 77 00:02:50,690 --> 00:02:53,390 unprovoked and illegal invasion nearly 78 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,670 one year ago . This month , today's 79 00:02:55,670 --> 00:02:57,614 announcement includes critical air 80 00:02:57,614 --> 00:02:59,670 defense capabilities to help Ukraine 81 00:02:59,670 --> 00:03:01,726 defend its people as well as armored 82 00:03:01,726 --> 00:03:03,781 infantry vehicles and more equipment 83 00:03:03,781 --> 00:03:05,726 that Ukraine is using to effect so 84 00:03:05,726 --> 00:03:07,781 effectively including javelin , anti 85 00:03:07,781 --> 00:03:09,970 tank missiles , artillery ammunition , 86 00:03:09,990 --> 00:03:12,212 and conventional and long range rockets 87 00:03:12,212 --> 00:03:13,879 for us . Provided high mars . 88 00:03:13,879 --> 00:03:16,046 Additional information on the security 89 00:03:16,046 --> 00:03:18,379 package can be found on defense dot gov . 90 00:03:18,640 --> 00:03:20,640 In regards to our announcement last 91 00:03:20,640 --> 00:03:22,640 night , regarding the high altitude 92 00:03:22,640 --> 00:03:24,696 surveillance balloon , I'm not gonna 93 00:03:24,696 --> 00:03:26,862 have much new information to provide . 94 00:03:26,862 --> 00:03:28,696 Other than to say that the North 95 00:03:28,696 --> 00:03:30,640 American Aerospace Defense Command 96 00:03:30,640 --> 00:03:32,751 continues to monitor it closely while 97 00:03:32,751 --> 00:03:34,584 we won't get into specifics . In 98 00:03:34,584 --> 00:03:36,696 regards to the exact location , I can 99 00:03:36,696 --> 00:03:38,862 tell you that the balloon continues to 100 00:03:38,862 --> 00:03:41,084 move eastward and is currently over the 101 00:03:41,084 --> 00:03:43,418 center of the continental United States . 102 00:03:43,418 --> 00:03:43,300 Again , we currently assess that the 103 00:03:43,300 --> 00:03:45,467 balloon does not present a military or 104 00:03:45,467 --> 00:03:47,689 physical threat to people on the ground 105 00:03:47,689 --> 00:03:49,633 at this time and we'll continue to 106 00:03:49,633 --> 00:03:51,467 review , excuse me , continue to 107 00:03:51,467 --> 00:03:53,633 monitor and review options . Finally , 108 00:03:53,633 --> 00:03:55,800 Secretary Austin will host a bilateral 109 00:03:55,800 --> 00:03:58,022 meeting today here in the Pentagon with 110 00:03:58,022 --> 00:04:00,078 Australian Deputy Prime Minister and 111 00:04:00,078 --> 00:04:02,133 Minister of Defense Richard Marles . 112 00:04:02,133 --> 00:04:02,040 The secretary looks forward to 113 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:03,651 discussing bilateral defense 114 00:04:03,651 --> 00:04:06,110 cooperation and our mutual security 115 00:04:06,110 --> 00:04:08,277 efforts within the Indo Pacific region 116 00:04:08,277 --> 00:04:10,110 and beyond a full readout of the 117 00:04:10,110 --> 00:04:12,110 engagement will post later today to 118 00:04:12,110 --> 00:04:14,332 defense dot gov . And with that , we'll 119 00:04:14,332 --> 00:04:16,443 go ahead and move to your questions . 120 00:04:16,443 --> 00:04:18,610 We'll start with a P Tara . Hi , Pat . 121 00:04:18,610 --> 00:04:20,832 Thank you for doing this . Um China has 122 00:04:20,832 --> 00:04:22,832 said this is just a weather balloon 123 00:04:22,832 --> 00:04:25,054 that has veered off course . Why is the 124 00:04:25,054 --> 00:04:26,943 Pentagon convinced that this is a 125 00:04:26,943 --> 00:04:29,166 surveillance balloon ? And then can you 126 00:04:29,166 --> 00:04:31,388 give us a little bit more on the status 127 00:04:31,388 --> 00:04:33,499 of the balloon ? You said it's in the 128 00:04:33,499 --> 00:04:35,554 central of central central us ? What 129 00:04:35,554 --> 00:04:37,499 state do you have any guidance for 130 00:04:37,499 --> 00:04:39,443 people as they see this balloon or 131 00:04:39,443 --> 00:04:41,388 they're trying to photograph it or 132 00:04:41,388 --> 00:04:43,666 maybe try and interfere with it ? Sure , 133 00:04:43,666 --> 00:04:45,721 thanks Tara . So , first of all , we 134 00:04:45,721 --> 00:04:47,666 are aware of the prc's statement . 135 00:04:47,666 --> 00:04:49,910 However , the fact is we know that it's 136 00:04:49,920 --> 00:04:52,260 a surveillance balloon . Uh and I'm not 137 00:04:52,260 --> 00:04:54,427 gonna be able to be more specific than 138 00:04:54,427 --> 00:04:56,593 that . We do know that the balloon has 139 00:04:56,593 --> 00:04:58,816 violated U S airspace and international 140 00:04:58,816 --> 00:05:00,871 law , which is unacceptable . And so 141 00:05:00,871 --> 00:05:03,600 we've conveyed this directly to the PRC 142 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:06,600 at multiple levels . Uh And in terms of 143 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:08,711 specific locations , I'm not gonna be 144 00:05:08,711 --> 00:05:10,656 able to go into specific locations 145 00:05:10,656 --> 00:05:12,767 again , other than to say it's moving 146 00:05:12,767 --> 00:05:14,933 eastward at this time . Yeah , you had 147 00:05:14,933 --> 00:05:18,610 to follow up as people start 148 00:05:18,610 --> 00:05:20,666 to see the balloon . Do you have any 149 00:05:20,666 --> 00:05:22,777 guidance for ? Should they try not to 150 00:05:22,777 --> 00:05:24,777 interfere , not photograph ? So the 151 00:05:24,777 --> 00:05:26,943 balloon is currently assessed to be at 152 00:05:26,943 --> 00:05:29,440 about 60,000 ft . So again , well above 153 00:05:29,450 --> 00:05:32,310 the range of civilian air traffic or 154 00:05:32,310 --> 00:05:35,240 civilian air traffic would normally fly . 155 00:05:35,250 --> 00:05:38,370 Um Certainly aware that there are 156 00:05:38,370 --> 00:05:40,537 cameras , uh you know , civilian owned 157 00:05:40,537 --> 00:05:42,759 commercial cameras that could spot this 158 00:05:42,759 --> 00:05:45,770 balloon . Um , in terms of um guidance 159 00:05:45,770 --> 00:05:47,826 to folks . Again , this is something 160 00:05:47,826 --> 00:05:49,937 that NORAD is closely monitoring . We 161 00:05:49,937 --> 00:05:51,992 do assess at this time that it's not 162 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:55,210 pose a physical threat , as I mentioned 163 00:05:55,220 --> 00:05:57,442 to people on the ground . So we'll just 164 00:05:57,442 --> 00:05:58,887 leave it at that Jennifer 165 00:06:01,590 --> 00:06:03,840 General writer who is controlling this 166 00:06:03,840 --> 00:06:07,810 balloon right now . Again , we know 167 00:06:07,810 --> 00:06:09,866 that this is a Chinese balloon . But 168 00:06:09,866 --> 00:06:11,866 beyond that , I'm not going to have 169 00:06:11,866 --> 00:06:13,921 specific , is it , you say that it's 170 00:06:13,921 --> 00:06:15,810 moving eastward and it's over the 171 00:06:15,810 --> 00:06:17,921 continental us . It's , it's not over 172 00:06:17,921 --> 00:06:19,754 Montana anymore . Is the Chinese 173 00:06:19,754 --> 00:06:21,921 government controlling the movement of 174 00:06:21,921 --> 00:06:24,143 the balloon or is it just floating with 175 00:06:24,143 --> 00:06:26,254 airstreams ? Thanks Jennifer . So I'm 176 00:06:26,254 --> 00:06:28,143 not going to go into any specific 177 00:06:28,143 --> 00:06:30,199 intelligence that we , we may have . 178 00:06:30,199 --> 00:06:32,366 Again . We , we know this is a Chinese 179 00:06:32,366 --> 00:06:34,532 balloon and that it has the ability to 180 00:06:34,532 --> 00:06:36,588 maneuver , but I'll just leave it at 181 00:06:36,588 --> 00:06:38,588 that . And once it's over a body of 182 00:06:38,588 --> 00:06:41,950 water , will you shoot it down again ? 183 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:43,793 Right now ? We're monitoring the 184 00:06:43,793 --> 00:06:45,904 situation closely reviewing options . 185 00:06:45,904 --> 00:06:48,127 But beyond that , I'm not going to have 186 00:06:48,127 --> 00:06:50,293 any additional information . Let me go 187 00:06:50,293 --> 00:06:52,516 to Tony went quickly on the , on the on 188 00:06:52,516 --> 00:06:54,404 the balloon . Can you confirm the 189 00:06:54,404 --> 00:06:56,571 photos that are out there that this is 190 00:06:56,571 --> 00:06:58,682 not the man on the moon ? And that is 191 00:06:58,682 --> 00:07:00,860 the actual Thanks Tony , so certainly 192 00:07:00,860 --> 00:07:02,990 aware of photos being posted online . 193 00:07:03,000 --> 00:07:05,340 I'm not going to get into the business 194 00:07:05,340 --> 00:07:08,120 of confirming whether or not those are , 195 00:07:08,130 --> 00:07:10,463 you know , where those photos come from . 196 00:07:10,463 --> 00:07:12,408 Again , I can tell you that the US 197 00:07:12,408 --> 00:07:14,408 government NORAD is monitoring this 198 00:07:14,408 --> 00:07:16,463 closely . Uh And we will continue to 199 00:07:16,463 --> 00:07:18,241 review how close was the U S to 200 00:07:18,241 --> 00:07:20,463 ordering ? Was the president ordering a 201 00:07:20,463 --> 00:07:22,574 shoot down of the balloon ? Yeah . So 202 00:07:22,574 --> 00:07:24,297 again , I'm not gonna get into 203 00:07:24,297 --> 00:07:26,241 discussions , internal discussions 204 00:07:26,241 --> 00:07:28,297 within the White House again , right 205 00:07:28,297 --> 00:07:30,690 now , we assess that there is no threat , 206 00:07:30,700 --> 00:07:32,811 physical threat or military threat to 207 00:07:32,811 --> 00:07:34,589 people on the ground . So we're 208 00:07:34,589 --> 00:07:36,700 continuing to monitor , um you know , 209 00:07:36,700 --> 00:07:39,033 we'll just leave it at that . Thank you . 210 00:07:39,033 --> 00:07:39,010 Let me go to Janie and then we'll go to 211 00:07:39,010 --> 00:07:42,750 Rio . Thanks General , welcome to home . 212 00:07:43,760 --> 00:07:47,480 I have two occasions . Come on . Ok . 213 00:07:47,490 --> 00:07:50,550 In response to Secretary Austin's 214 00:07:50,560 --> 00:07:53,710 recent remarks that more U S 215 00:07:53,720 --> 00:07:56,730 strategic assets will come to the South 216 00:07:56,730 --> 00:07:59,980 Korea , North Korea wonder of 217 00:07:59,990 --> 00:08:03,670 stronger provocations in the near 218 00:08:03,670 --> 00:08:06,440 future . What is your comment on this ? 219 00:08:06,900 --> 00:08:09,340 Um Well , it's certainly not surprising 220 00:08:09,350 --> 00:08:12,040 given North Korea's track record of 221 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:14,600 making bellicose statements again , 222 00:08:14,600 --> 00:08:17,230 what we're focused on is on preserving 223 00:08:17,230 --> 00:08:19,341 peace , security and stability in the 224 00:08:19,341 --> 00:08:21,750 Indo Pacific region . And so Secretary 225 00:08:21,750 --> 00:08:23,860 Austin's visit was an opportunity to 226 00:08:23,860 --> 00:08:26,090 again reaffirm our strong and close 227 00:08:26,090 --> 00:08:28,201 alliance with the Republic of Korea . 228 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:30,407 And so that will remain , our focus is 229 00:08:30,407 --> 00:08:32,629 on working with Korea , South Korea and 230 00:08:32,629 --> 00:08:34,870 other nations in the region to deter 231 00:08:34,870 --> 00:08:37,580 aggression and ensure a free and open 232 00:08:37,590 --> 00:08:40,530 Indo Pacific . South Korea has 233 00:08:40,530 --> 00:08:44,090 announced that it will be a test , the 234 00:08:44,090 --> 00:08:47,770 high powered the monster ballistic 235 00:08:47,770 --> 00:08:51,280 missiles with nuclear warheads 236 00:08:51,290 --> 00:08:54,880 label is , this is a 237 00:08:54,890 --> 00:08:57,180 defense against the North Korea's 238 00:08:57,180 --> 00:09:01,070 nuclear world head . How do you agree 239 00:09:01,070 --> 00:09:04,040 this , I'm sorry , I missed the first 240 00:09:04,050 --> 00:09:06,490 part of your question . South Korea has 241 00:09:06,500 --> 00:09:10,230 announced the , that it will be uh 242 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,790 test high power the monster ballistic 243 00:09:13,790 --> 00:09:17,680 missile with the world nuclear warhead 244 00:09:17,680 --> 00:09:21,460 levels . This is the , I don't have 245 00:09:21,460 --> 00:09:23,682 anything on that . I would refer you to 246 00:09:23,682 --> 00:09:25,793 the government of South Korea . Thank 247 00:09:25,793 --> 00:09:27,849 you . Let me go to Rio and then I'll 248 00:09:27,849 --> 00:09:30,016 come back over here . Okay . Thank you 249 00:09:30,016 --> 00:09:32,127 very much to questions on the Chinese 250 00:09:32,127 --> 00:09:34,349 battlements . So there is a speculation 251 00:09:34,349 --> 00:09:36,940 that is baloo over Japanese airspace 252 00:09:36,940 --> 00:09:40,210 before reaching the U S Continental US . 253 00:09:40,220 --> 00:09:43,130 Can you confirm that I've seen those 254 00:09:43,130 --> 00:09:44,900 press reports again , as we 255 00:09:44,900 --> 00:09:47,070 acknowledged in our statement that we 256 00:09:47,070 --> 00:09:50,170 posted last night , we have seen uh 257 00:09:50,180 --> 00:09:52,950 this type of balloon activity elsewhere 258 00:09:53,210 --> 00:09:55,610 before . But again , I'm not going to 259 00:09:55,610 --> 00:09:57,832 get into intelligence and I'm not going 260 00:09:57,832 --> 00:09:59,777 to have any further information to 261 00:09:59,777 --> 00:10:01,860 provide secondary . How will this 262 00:10:01,870 --> 00:10:04,440 incident affect the secretary's future 263 00:10:04,450 --> 00:10:07,160 engagement with Chinese counterpart to 264 00:10:07,160 --> 00:10:09,327 maintain open lines of communication ? 265 00:10:09,327 --> 00:10:11,271 I think we've been very clear that 266 00:10:11,271 --> 00:10:13,271 we're always open to maintaining an 267 00:10:13,271 --> 00:10:17,030 open line of communication with the PRC 268 00:10:17,040 --> 00:10:19,100 and in that regard , nothing has 269 00:10:19,100 --> 00:10:21,322 changed . Thank you . Let me go to fill 270 00:10:21,322 --> 00:10:23,211 and then I'll come over to Kassem 271 00:10:23,211 --> 00:10:26,440 position of the balloon classified , uh , 272 00:10:26,450 --> 00:10:28,672 Phil . Right now , what we're not going 273 00:10:28,672 --> 00:10:30,540 to do is get into a hour by hour 274 00:10:30,540 --> 00:10:32,762 location of the balloon . Again , we're 275 00:10:32,762 --> 00:10:34,651 monitoring it closely . Uh , as I 276 00:10:34,651 --> 00:10:36,651 mentioned right now , it's over the 277 00:10:36,651 --> 00:10:38,984 center of the continental United States . 278 00:10:38,984 --> 00:10:41,096 That's about as specific as I'm going 279 00:10:41,096 --> 00:10:43,373 to get , I understand being convenient , 280 00:10:43,373 --> 00:10:45,540 but as the public have a right to know 281 00:10:45,540 --> 00:10:47,762 the public certainly has the ability to 282 00:10:47,762 --> 00:10:49,929 look up in the sky and , and see where 283 00:10:49,929 --> 00:10:51,929 the balloon is . Thank you , Carson 284 00:10:51,929 --> 00:10:53,740 General . You said balloon is 285 00:10:53,740 --> 00:10:56,650 maneuverable . So does that mean that 286 00:10:56,650 --> 00:10:59,760 it's not drifting ? So the balloon is 287 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,480 maneuverable ? Clearly , it's , it's 288 00:11:02,480 --> 00:11:05,140 violated U S airspace . And again , 289 00:11:05,140 --> 00:11:08,280 we've communicated that fact to the PRC , 290 00:11:08,290 --> 00:11:11,050 if possible . Can you tell us if the 291 00:11:11,050 --> 00:11:13,217 balloon when it enters , entered the U 292 00:11:13,217 --> 00:11:15,580 S airspace ? Has it changed its course 293 00:11:15,580 --> 00:11:19,400 in any way the balloon has 294 00:11:19,400 --> 00:11:21,511 changed its course , which is again , 295 00:11:21,511 --> 00:11:23,567 why we're monitoring it , but that's 296 00:11:23,567 --> 00:11:25,733 about as specific as I can get . Thank 297 00:11:25,733 --> 00:11:29,040 you , go to Matt . So you said at this 298 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:31,380 point , um , the balloon doesn't pose 299 00:11:31,380 --> 00:11:33,350 to have any , to pose any risks to 300 00:11:33,350 --> 00:11:35,590 citizens . How is it that the U S can 301 00:11:35,590 --> 00:11:37,812 assess that , given that the balloon is 302 00:11:37,812 --> 00:11:39,646 at such an altitude , you know , 303 00:11:39,646 --> 00:11:41,812 without actually getting eyes on it up 304 00:11:41,812 --> 00:11:41,470 close and assessing the equipment 305 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:44,650 that's on board ? Um And secondly , are 306 00:11:44,650 --> 00:11:46,872 there any alternatives being considered 307 00:11:46,872 --> 00:11:48,817 to shooting it down . Is there any 308 00:11:48,817 --> 00:11:48,570 option to take this blue ? Now , this 309 00:11:48,570 --> 00:11:51,290 guy intact to maybe get a better look 310 00:11:51,290 --> 00:11:53,280 at that equipment ? Yeah . So , so 311 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:56,040 again , this is a surveillance balloon . 312 00:11:56,050 --> 00:11:58,810 Uh , however , you know , operating at 313 00:11:58,810 --> 00:12:02,760 about 60,000 ft , um , clearly , you 314 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:04,940 know , we did a very close assessment 315 00:12:04,950 --> 00:12:08,430 in terms of what it's doing . Uh , and 316 00:12:08,430 --> 00:12:10,670 as I mentioned , uh , military 317 00:12:10,670 --> 00:12:12,990 commanders have assessed that there is 318 00:12:12,990 --> 00:12:15,260 no physical or military threat to 319 00:12:15,260 --> 00:12:18,850 people on the ground . Um And so in 320 00:12:18,850 --> 00:12:21,072 that regard , we'll continue to monitor 321 00:12:21,072 --> 00:12:23,017 uh in terms of way ahead , we will 322 00:12:23,017 --> 00:12:25,072 continue to review options , but I'm 323 00:12:25,072 --> 00:12:27,017 not gonna have anything further to 324 00:12:27,017 --> 00:12:28,961 provide on that . So , thank you , 325 00:12:28,961 --> 00:12:32,960 ma'am . Thank you , Pat . Uh You 326 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:35,210 said that this is violating our 327 00:12:35,220 --> 00:12:38,120 airspace , so why not take it down ? 328 00:12:39,020 --> 00:12:41,510 Yeah , so , uh you know , clearly as we 329 00:12:41,510 --> 00:12:44,940 assess options um and considering the 330 00:12:44,950 --> 00:12:47,980 size of the payload on this , looking 331 00:12:47,980 --> 00:12:51,200 at the potential for debris , uh and 332 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:53,470 the impact on civilians on the ground 333 00:12:53,470 --> 00:12:56,940 or property damage again , uh running 334 00:12:56,940 --> 00:12:59,980 through the , the various factors and 335 00:12:59,980 --> 00:13:03,490 looking at in terms of does it pose a 336 00:13:03,490 --> 00:13:06,910 potential risk to people while in the 337 00:13:06,910 --> 00:13:09,077 air ? And right now , as I mentioned , 338 00:13:09,077 --> 00:13:11,243 we , we assess that it does not pose a 339 00:13:11,243 --> 00:13:13,188 risk to people on the ground as it 340 00:13:13,188 --> 00:13:15,410 currently is traversing the continental 341 00:13:15,410 --> 00:13:17,243 United States . And so out of an 342 00:13:17,243 --> 00:13:19,466 abundance of caution , cognizant of the 343 00:13:19,466 --> 00:13:21,521 potential impact to civilians on the 344 00:13:21,521 --> 00:13:23,930 ground . From a debris field right now , 345 00:13:23,930 --> 00:13:26,097 we're going to continue to monitor and 346 00:13:26,097 --> 00:13:27,986 review options . And if I may you 347 00:13:27,986 --> 00:13:30,152 mentioned that we've seen this kind of 348 00:13:30,152 --> 00:13:32,374 activity before . So why are we sharing 349 00:13:32,374 --> 00:13:34,430 this one ? And why last night if you 350 00:13:34,430 --> 00:13:36,541 were following it for a few days , is 351 00:13:36,541 --> 00:13:38,430 this some sort of sign uh that we 352 00:13:38,430 --> 00:13:38,170 should take from China ahead of 353 00:13:38,190 --> 00:13:40,470 Lincoln's visit from the activity that 354 00:13:40,470 --> 00:13:42,581 we had in the Philippines . Yeah . So 355 00:13:42,581 --> 00:13:44,810 in terms of any uh you know , 356 00:13:44,810 --> 00:13:47,590 hypotheticals about messaging from PRC , 357 00:13:47,590 --> 00:13:49,820 I'd refer you to them on that front . 358 00:13:49,890 --> 00:13:51,668 Again , I think what makes this 359 00:13:51,668 --> 00:13:54,750 different , different is the duration 360 00:13:54,750 --> 00:13:56,800 and the length of which it has been 361 00:13:56,810 --> 00:13:59,390 over U S territory . But beyond that , 362 00:13:59,390 --> 00:14:01,612 I'm not going to be able to go into any 363 00:14:01,612 --> 00:14:02,890 more specifics might . 364 00:14:05,860 --> 00:14:08,530 Thanks Pat . Um Yesterday , a senior 365 00:14:08,530 --> 00:14:10,880 defense official said that the 366 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:12,936 intelligence gathering capability of 367 00:14:12,936 --> 00:14:14,991 this balloon would be no better than 368 00:14:14,991 --> 00:14:17,160 any Chinese satellite in low Earth 369 00:14:17,160 --> 00:14:19,740 orbit . If that's the case , why would 370 00:14:19,740 --> 00:14:22,220 Beijing go through the trouble and 371 00:14:22,220 --> 00:14:25,650 expense to send this balloon on such a 372 00:14:25,660 --> 00:14:27,827 journey ? Yeah , I'd have to refer you 373 00:14:27,827 --> 00:14:31,030 back to the PRC . Again . Look , we're , 374 00:14:31,030 --> 00:14:33,308 we're monitoring this . As I mentioned , 375 00:14:33,308 --> 00:14:35,850 it's violated U S airspace , it's 376 00:14:35,850 --> 00:14:37,800 violated international law . We've 377 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:40,860 communicated that back to the 378 00:14:40,860 --> 00:14:43,410 government of China . Um But again , 379 00:14:43,410 --> 00:14:45,770 I'd refer you back to China in terms of , 380 00:14:45,780 --> 00:14:48,350 of , but I assume that you're that , 381 00:14:48,350 --> 00:14:50,461 that the Pentagon is trying to figure 382 00:14:50,461 --> 00:14:52,461 this out itself . Why , why they're 383 00:14:52,461 --> 00:14:54,294 bothering to do this if they can 384 00:14:54,294 --> 00:14:56,350 already , if it's offering no better 385 00:14:56,350 --> 00:14:58,294 intelligence gathering than from a 386 00:14:58,294 --> 00:15:00,390 satellite . Right . Yeah . Again , I 387 00:15:00,390 --> 00:15:02,557 mean , that , that's a statement . Not 388 00:15:02,557 --> 00:15:04,723 a question . So , uh , question mark , 389 00:15:04,723 --> 00:15:06,668 it begins . Yeah . Again , I'm not 390 00:15:06,668 --> 00:15:08,834 gonna have anything other to provide , 391 00:15:08,834 --> 00:15:12,800 so , ma'am . Yeah . Yeah , go 392 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:15,133 to her and then come back to Nancy here . 393 00:15:15,710 --> 00:15:17,932 Um , I was wondering , is there any way 394 00:15:17,932 --> 00:15:20,140 that the Pentagon is able to gauge how 395 00:15:20,140 --> 00:15:22,690 long it could potentially lawyer ? Um 396 00:15:22,700 --> 00:15:25,230 You know , comparing two balloons that 397 00:15:25,230 --> 00:15:27,563 have been in the past . Um And you know , 398 00:15:27,563 --> 00:15:29,508 how long do you anticipate that it 399 00:15:29,508 --> 00:15:32,280 could lawyer ? Yeah . So , so as I 400 00:15:32,280 --> 00:15:34,391 mentioned , we'll continue to monitor 401 00:15:34,391 --> 00:15:36,391 it right now . We assess that it'll 402 00:15:36,391 --> 00:15:38,558 probably be over the United States for 403 00:15:38,558 --> 00:15:40,820 a few few days . Um But we'll continue 404 00:15:40,820 --> 00:15:42,860 to monitor , review our options and 405 00:15:42,870 --> 00:15:45,280 keep you updated as as we can ? Thank 406 00:15:45,280 --> 00:15:47,447 you . Okay , let me go to Nancy here . 407 00:15:51,540 --> 00:15:53,540 Hi General , I want to go back to a 408 00:15:53,540 --> 00:15:55,596 couple of things . You said you said 409 00:15:55,596 --> 00:15:57,818 several times that the U S is reviewing 410 00:15:57,818 --> 00:15:59,984 its options . I'd like to some clarity 411 00:15:59,984 --> 00:16:02,480 is the option of shooting down the 412 00:16:02,480 --> 00:16:04,536 balloon , particularly as it's going 413 00:16:04,536 --> 00:16:07,480 over more populated areas off the table . 414 00:16:07,490 --> 00:16:09,768 Is that still amongst the options that , 415 00:16:09,768 --> 00:16:11,934 that the U S military is considering ? 416 00:16:11,934 --> 00:16:14,046 And if so under what conditions would 417 00:16:14,046 --> 00:16:16,268 it do ? So ? Yeah , thanks Nancy . So , 418 00:16:16,268 --> 00:16:18,434 so at this stage , what I can tell you 419 00:16:18,434 --> 00:16:20,323 is , again , um , we're reviewing 420 00:16:20,323 --> 00:16:22,546 options . I'm not , I'm not going to go 421 00:16:22,546 --> 00:16:24,546 into more specifics than that . And 422 00:16:24,546 --> 00:16:23,840 when , and if there's any updates to 423 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,007 provide , we'll let you know it's been 424 00:16:26,007 --> 00:16:27,840 ruled out shooting again . We're 425 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:30,007 monitoring and we're reviewing options 426 00:16:30,007 --> 00:16:29,930 notice to leave it there . And then a 427 00:16:29,930 --> 00:16:32,250 senior defense official yesterday said 428 00:16:32,250 --> 00:16:34,740 that um , similar incidents have 429 00:16:34,740 --> 00:16:36,296 happened under the previous 430 00:16:36,296 --> 00:16:38,351 administration and yet some of those 431 00:16:38,351 --> 00:16:40,296 administration officials have come 432 00:16:40,296 --> 00:16:42,351 forward is that they're not familiar 433 00:16:42,351 --> 00:16:41,760 with it . Is there any way you could 434 00:16:41,760 --> 00:16:43,850 give us more details on when it's 435 00:16:43,850 --> 00:16:45,961 happened over whether it was over the 436 00:16:45,961 --> 00:16:48,040 continental U S U S or over us 437 00:16:48,040 --> 00:16:50,040 territories ? Is that something you 438 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:52,151 could potentially take to provide the 439 00:16:52,151 --> 00:16:54,373 public more details about the extent of 440 00:16:54,373 --> 00:16:56,484 these things happen ? So what I would 441 00:16:56,484 --> 00:16:58,651 tell you right now is that information 442 00:16:58,651 --> 00:17:00,873 is classified , I'm not able to provide 443 00:17:00,873 --> 00:17:03,740 it other than I can confirm that there 444 00:17:03,740 --> 00:17:06,270 have been other incidents where 445 00:17:06,270 --> 00:17:09,150 balloons did come close to or cross 446 00:17:09,150 --> 00:17:11,206 over U S territory . And then I just 447 00:17:11,206 --> 00:17:13,317 want to reiterate something that Phil 448 00:17:13,317 --> 00:17:15,428 said earlier that given that it's not 449 00:17:15,428 --> 00:17:17,594 classified and the public can see it . 450 00:17:17,594 --> 00:17:17,520 I just ask that you take the question 451 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:19,750 that we have more specifics on where it 452 00:17:19,750 --> 00:17:22,220 is given that there's no clear security 453 00:17:22,220 --> 00:17:24,442 reasons by your own estimation in terms 454 00:17:24,442 --> 00:17:26,498 of keeping that information from the 455 00:17:26,498 --> 00:17:30,220 Absolutely . And again , you know , 456 00:17:30,220 --> 00:17:32,220 we're just not going to get into an 457 00:17:32,220 --> 00:17:34,387 hour by hour where the balloon is . So 458 00:17:34,387 --> 00:17:36,553 we will do our best to keep you in the 459 00:17:36,553 --> 00:17:38,553 public informed in general terms on 460 00:17:38,553 --> 00:17:41,510 where the balloon is . Uh and you know , 461 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:43,670 try to be helpful in that regard . 462 00:17:50,070 --> 00:17:52,237 Understood . And again , I think a key 463 00:17:52,237 --> 00:17:54,780 point here to make uh and , and to 464 00:17:54,790 --> 00:17:57,012 purposefully belabor the point which is 465 00:17:57,012 --> 00:17:59,123 that again , as this balloon traverse 466 00:17:59,123 --> 00:18:01,380 is the Continental United States . We 467 00:18:01,380 --> 00:18:03,547 assess that it currently does not pose 468 00:18:03,547 --> 00:18:05,658 a physical or military risk to people 469 00:18:05,658 --> 00:18:07,824 on the ground . So we will continue to 470 00:18:07,824 --> 00:18:07,790 monitor , will continue to review our 471 00:18:07,790 --> 00:18:10,510 options uh and provide information and 472 00:18:10,510 --> 00:18:12,260 updates as we're able to . So 473 00:18:15,580 --> 00:18:17,880 again , Jennifer , we're reviewing 474 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:20,102 options , but I'm not going to get into 475 00:18:20,102 --> 00:18:22,324 hypotheticals or speculate on potential 476 00:18:22,324 --> 00:18:24,380 future actions . So let me go to the 477 00:18:24,380 --> 00:18:24,000 back of the room here and then I'll 478 00:18:24,000 --> 00:18:27,350 come up to Joe . Thank you , general 479 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:30,511 thinking about the , you know , route 480 00:18:30,511 --> 00:18:32,930 of the balloon . Was it impossible for 481 00:18:32,930 --> 00:18:34,874 the D O D to deal with the balloon 482 00:18:34,874 --> 00:18:37,410 before it reaches to the , you know , 483 00:18:37,420 --> 00:18:39,420 the airspace of the United States ? 484 00:18:39,420 --> 00:18:41,420 Yeah , so we've been monitoring the 485 00:18:41,420 --> 00:18:44,710 balloon . Um You know , we , we are 486 00:18:44,710 --> 00:18:47,430 aware um again , as I mentioned it as a 487 00:18:47,430 --> 00:18:50,310 maneuverable craft . Um and , and we 488 00:18:50,310 --> 00:18:53,050 continue to assess and make appropriate 489 00:18:53,050 --> 00:18:55,920 decisions based on , on how we're going 490 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:57,698 to address , you know , what we 491 00:18:57,698 --> 00:18:59,920 perceive as a potential threat or not , 492 00:18:59,920 --> 00:19:02,142 the safety and security of the American 493 00:19:02,142 --> 00:19:04,810 people is paramount . Uh And so again , 494 00:19:04,820 --> 00:19:06,931 at this time , we assess that it does 495 00:19:06,931 --> 00:19:09,153 not pose a physical threat to people on 496 00:19:09,153 --> 00:19:11,320 the ground . We'll continue to monitor 497 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:13,653 it and we'll continue to review options . 498 00:19:13,653 --> 00:19:15,764 Thank you . Let me go ahead and go to 499 00:19:15,764 --> 00:19:15,300 Joe here and then we'll come back to 500 00:19:15,300 --> 00:19:18,400 this side of the room . So you said 501 00:19:18,400 --> 00:19:20,678 that this is the first time we've , uh , 502 00:19:20,678 --> 00:19:22,844 this isn't the first time we've seen a 503 00:19:22,844 --> 00:19:25,480 balloon fly over the Continental U S in 504 00:19:25,480 --> 00:19:28,500 the past . Has it flown over other 505 00:19:28,500 --> 00:19:31,660 sensitive areas such as military bases ? 506 00:19:31,660 --> 00:19:33,660 You've only , you haven't been very 507 00:19:33,660 --> 00:19:35,860 specific . It's just the Continental U 508 00:19:35,860 --> 00:19:37,804 S , you know , I appreciate it . I 509 00:19:37,804 --> 00:19:40,027 haven't been very specific because that 510 00:19:40,027 --> 00:19:39,870 information is classified and I'm just 511 00:19:39,870 --> 00:19:42,092 not going to be able to talk about it . 512 00:19:42,092 --> 00:19:45,330 So , thank you , Idris . Um , the 513 00:19:45,330 --> 00:19:47,330 Canadian Defense Minister yesterday 514 00:19:47,330 --> 00:19:49,163 said they were tracking a second 515 00:19:49,163 --> 00:19:51,390 potential , uh spy balloon , you 516 00:19:51,390 --> 00:19:53,740 tracking a second potential incident . 517 00:19:53,750 --> 00:19:57,140 And when the balloon was coming , I 518 00:19:57,150 --> 00:19:59,261 guess what I'm confused about is when 519 00:19:59,261 --> 00:20:01,317 were there discussions to shoot down 520 00:20:01,317 --> 00:20:02,983 the balloons ? Were there any 521 00:20:02,983 --> 00:20:02,520 discussions about shooting down the 522 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:04,742 balloon when it was not over the United 523 00:20:04,742 --> 00:20:06,742 States when it was potentially over 524 00:20:06,742 --> 00:20:08,576 international waters or were the 525 00:20:08,576 --> 00:20:10,631 discussions only when it entered U S 526 00:20:10,631 --> 00:20:12,798 airspace ? Thanks . So , on your first 527 00:20:12,798 --> 00:20:14,853 question , um , we were tracking one 528 00:20:14,853 --> 00:20:16,570 balloon . Uh So in regards to 529 00:20:16,580 --> 00:20:18,710 statements by Canada , I'd refer you 530 00:20:18,710 --> 00:20:21,830 back to them on that . Um , in terms of 531 00:20:21,840 --> 00:20:24,550 uh the discussions about whether or not 532 00:20:24,560 --> 00:20:27,190 to shoot down this balloon . Um , that 533 00:20:27,190 --> 00:20:30,580 was uh an option , right ? And so that 534 00:20:30,580 --> 00:20:32,930 was something that was taken into 535 00:20:32,930 --> 00:20:35,900 consideration again because we assess 536 00:20:35,900 --> 00:20:37,789 that currently it does not pose a 537 00:20:37,789 --> 00:20:40,260 physical or military risk to people on 538 00:20:40,260 --> 00:20:42,038 the ground . Uh For now , we're 539 00:20:42,038 --> 00:20:43,940 continuing to monitor and review 540 00:20:43,940 --> 00:20:47,170 options . Thank you . Go back to Ellie 541 00:20:47,170 --> 00:20:50,270 and then we'll come up here . Thank you . 542 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:52,391 Um How big is the balloon that you're 543 00:20:52,391 --> 00:20:55,000 tracking ? And is it , have you guys 544 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,111 picked up ? Is it leaving anything in 545 00:20:57,111 --> 00:21:00,310 its wake like sensors ? Yeah . So , so 546 00:21:00,310 --> 00:21:02,780 on your ladder question , I'm not gonna 547 00:21:02,780 --> 00:21:05,260 get into intelligence . Um We do 548 00:21:05,260 --> 00:21:07,482 continue to monitor the balloon . We do 549 00:21:07,482 --> 00:21:09,760 know that it is a surveillance balloon . 550 00:21:09,760 --> 00:21:11,927 Um in terms of the size , I'm not able 551 00:21:11,927 --> 00:21:14,149 to get into the specifics other than to 552 00:21:14,149 --> 00:21:16,450 say that it is big enough . Uh that 553 00:21:16,460 --> 00:21:19,870 again , uh in reviewing our approach , 554 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:22,650 we do recognize that any potential 555 00:21:22,650 --> 00:21:25,040 debris field would be significant uh 556 00:21:25,040 --> 00:21:28,370 and potentially cause civilian injuries 557 00:21:28,380 --> 00:21:31,380 or deaths or significant property 558 00:21:31,380 --> 00:21:33,491 damage . So , again , this is part of 559 00:21:33,491 --> 00:21:35,547 the calculus in terms of our overall 560 00:21:35,547 --> 00:21:37,769 assessment , but again , we'll continue 561 00:21:37,769 --> 00:21:39,991 to monitor , it will continue to review 562 00:21:39,991 --> 00:21:42,158 our options uh and keep you updated as 563 00:21:42,158 --> 00:21:44,158 able . Let me go here and then over 564 00:21:44,158 --> 00:21:46,213 here . Thank you . Calling up on the 565 00:21:46,213 --> 00:21:47,824 balloon question uh during a 566 00:21:47,824 --> 00:21:50,070 conversation with the Chinese . Uh have 567 00:21:50,070 --> 00:21:52,370 they indicated to you what is inside 568 00:21:52,370 --> 00:21:54,370 the balloon to prove the point that 569 00:21:54,370 --> 00:21:56,481 it's not , it's a civilian balloon or 570 00:21:56,481 --> 00:21:58,481 weather monitoring thing . And does 571 00:21:58,481 --> 00:22:00,370 that assessment differs from your 572 00:22:00,370 --> 00:22:02,203 assessment of what is inside the 573 00:22:02,203 --> 00:22:04,259 balloon ? What is trying to do ? And 574 00:22:04,259 --> 00:22:06,370 secondly , on the India question this 575 00:22:06,370 --> 00:22:08,314 week , India and us launched a new 576 00:22:08,314 --> 00:22:10,148 initiative and critical emerging 577 00:22:10,148 --> 00:22:12,314 technologies . This has quite a bit of 578 00:22:12,314 --> 00:22:14,481 defense component in it . Can you give 579 00:22:14,481 --> 00:22:16,592 us some more details about it and how 580 00:22:16,592 --> 00:22:18,592 it's going to strengthen , build up 581 00:22:18,592 --> 00:22:20,703 your relationship with India ? Sure . 582 00:22:20,703 --> 00:22:20,360 Um On your second question , I'll have 583 00:22:20,360 --> 00:22:22,527 to take that because I just don't have 584 00:22:22,527 --> 00:22:24,693 that information in front of me on the 585 00:22:24,693 --> 00:22:26,804 first question . I appreciate it . Um 586 00:22:26,804 --> 00:22:28,971 As I mentioned , we have contacted the 587 00:22:28,971 --> 00:22:31,193 P R C . I'm not going to get into their 588 00:22:31,193 --> 00:22:33,630 reaction . I would refer you to them 589 00:22:33,630 --> 00:22:35,352 for that , but we have clearly 590 00:22:35,352 --> 00:22:37,300 communicated that this balloon is 591 00:22:37,300 --> 00:22:39,610 violating us airspace and international 592 00:22:39,610 --> 00:22:41,720 law and that this is unacceptable . 593 00:22:41,730 --> 00:22:43,786 Thank you . Go over here and then go 594 00:22:43,786 --> 00:22:46,560 over here . Thank you , sir . Is the 595 00:22:46,570 --> 00:22:49,470 Pentagon looking at any uh possibility 596 00:22:49,470 --> 00:22:51,470 of maybe altering the course of the 597 00:22:51,470 --> 00:22:53,637 balloon to take us to a location where 598 00:22:53,637 --> 00:22:55,803 they can shoot it down in a rural area 599 00:22:55,803 --> 00:22:57,748 again , monitoring we're reviewing 600 00:22:57,748 --> 00:22:59,970 options , but I'm not gonna go into any 601 00:22:59,970 --> 00:23:02,081 further specifics . Thank you , sir . 602 00:23:02,081 --> 00:23:04,440 Considering that this is a surveillance 603 00:23:04,440 --> 00:23:06,770 balloon , as you said , doesn't have 604 00:23:06,780 --> 00:23:09,370 ability to collect very sensitive data 605 00:23:09,370 --> 00:23:12,240 given that it flies over nuclear sites 606 00:23:12,250 --> 00:23:14,960 in the state of Montana . Yeah . So 607 00:23:14,960 --> 00:23:16,849 again , I'm not going to get into 608 00:23:16,849 --> 00:23:18,920 intelligence . Um , you know , as we 609 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:21,142 mentioned in our statement last night , 610 00:23:21,142 --> 00:23:23,200 once the balloon was detected , we 611 00:23:23,200 --> 00:23:25,480 acted immediately to protect against 612 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:27,702 the collection of sensitive information 613 00:23:27,702 --> 00:23:29,869 and I'll just leave it at that . Thank 614 00:23:29,869 --> 00:23:32,180 you , Phil . Is there any nuclear or 615 00:23:32,180 --> 00:23:34,402 radioactive material aboard the balloon 616 00:23:34,402 --> 00:23:36,569 or is there anything that's aboard the 617 00:23:36,569 --> 00:23:38,680 balloon ? That that makes you believe 618 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:40,680 that it could pose a risk if it was 619 00:23:40,680 --> 00:23:42,902 shot down ? Uh short answer is no , but 620 00:23:42,902 --> 00:23:44,958 again , right now , we do not assess 621 00:23:44,958 --> 00:23:46,810 that that the the balloon in its 622 00:23:46,810 --> 00:23:48,977 current configuration at approximately 623 00:23:48,977 --> 00:23:51,780 60,000 ft poses a physical or military 624 00:23:51,780 --> 00:23:53,947 threat to people on the ground . Thank 625 00:23:53,947 --> 00:23:54,947 you , Joe . 626 00:23:57,690 --> 00:24:00,730 Um Ukraine question . Um The small 627 00:24:00,730 --> 00:24:03,340 diameter bomb in the latest Ukraine aid 628 00:24:03,340 --> 00:24:05,980 package has the potential to target 629 00:24:05,980 --> 00:24:09,060 Crimea . Um Is that the intent behind 630 00:24:09,060 --> 00:24:11,790 providing it now ? So thanks for the 631 00:24:11,790 --> 00:24:14,200 question , Joe . So , so yes , as part 632 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:16,940 of the USA I package , we will be 633 00:24:16,940 --> 00:24:19,540 providing ground launch small diameter 634 00:24:19,540 --> 00:24:23,150 bombs to Ukraine . Uh This gives them a 635 00:24:23,150 --> 00:24:26,300 longer range uh capability , long range 636 00:24:26,300 --> 00:24:29,090 fires capability that will enable them 637 00:24:29,090 --> 00:24:31,560 again to conduct operations in defense 638 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:33,970 of their country and to take back their 639 00:24:33,970 --> 00:24:35,940 sovereign territory . Uh Russian 640 00:24:35,940 --> 00:24:38,380 occupied areas when it comes to 641 00:24:38,380 --> 00:24:41,720 Ukrainian plans on operations . 642 00:24:41,730 --> 00:24:43,897 Clearly , that is their decision there 643 00:24:43,897 --> 00:24:45,960 on the lead for those . So I'm not 644 00:24:45,960 --> 00:24:48,127 going to talk about or speculate about 645 00:24:48,127 --> 00:24:50,460 potential future operations . But again , 646 00:24:50,460 --> 00:24:52,460 all along , we've been working with 647 00:24:52,460 --> 00:24:54,627 them to provide them with capabilities 648 00:24:54,627 --> 00:24:56,738 that will enable them to be effective 649 00:24:56,738 --> 00:24:58,682 on the battlefield . And just as a 650 00:24:58,682 --> 00:25:00,682 follow up to that , um can you talk 651 00:25:00,682 --> 00:25:02,627 specifically about this particular 652 00:25:02,627 --> 00:25:04,793 group of capabilities , you know , how 653 00:25:04,793 --> 00:25:06,904 are they tailored to what's happening 654 00:25:06,904 --> 00:25:08,793 in Ukraine ? Now , for instance , 655 00:25:08,793 --> 00:25:10,793 there's equipment that connects the 656 00:25:10,793 --> 00:25:13,360 various air defense systems . Um just 657 00:25:13,360 --> 00:25:15,304 can you speak to why this specific 658 00:25:15,304 --> 00:25:17,980 package now ? Yeah , sure . So , so 659 00:25:17,980 --> 00:25:20,147 again , it's important to look at this 660 00:25:20,147 --> 00:25:22,258 from a from a evolution standpoint in 661 00:25:22,258 --> 00:25:24,620 terms of adapting to the conditions on 662 00:25:24,620 --> 00:25:26,787 the ground . And so we've been focused 663 00:25:26,787 --> 00:25:29,310 on several key areas in the last few 664 00:25:29,310 --> 00:25:31,240 months to support Ukraine , 665 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,462 specifically air defense capabilities , 666 00:25:33,462 --> 00:25:36,840 armor capabilities , long range fires 667 00:25:36,850 --> 00:25:39,390 capabilities . Uh And then combined 668 00:25:39,390 --> 00:25:42,130 with training uh in order to enable 669 00:25:42,130 --> 00:25:44,570 them to have the the ability to conduct 670 00:25:44,570 --> 00:25:46,830 combined arms . And so , looking at 671 00:25:46,830 --> 00:25:49,300 things like uh further enhancing and 672 00:25:49,300 --> 00:25:51,522 enabling their integrated air defense , 673 00:25:51,522 --> 00:25:53,860 which I think everyone uh continues to 674 00:25:53,860 --> 00:25:56,630 watch with horror as Russia uh conducts 675 00:25:56,630 --> 00:25:58,797 aerial bombardment on civilian targets 676 00:25:58,797 --> 00:26:01,160 throughout Ukraine . So working with 677 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:03,780 them in those areas , but also through 678 00:26:03,780 --> 00:26:05,891 those combined , through the combined 679 00:26:05,891 --> 00:26:07,891 arms training , enabling them to be 680 00:26:07,891 --> 00:26:09,836 able to change the equation on the 681 00:26:09,836 --> 00:26:11,836 front lines , not only defend their 682 00:26:11,836 --> 00:26:13,724 territory but take back sovereign 683 00:26:13,724 --> 00:26:16,330 territory . Thank you . Within the 684 00:26:16,340 --> 00:26:18,507 announcement , there's a one line that 685 00:26:18,507 --> 00:26:20,618 says precision guided rockets is that 686 00:26:20,970 --> 00:26:22,820 that is the ground launch small 687 00:26:22,820 --> 00:26:26,240 diameter bomb . Okay , Tara , 688 00:26:32,180 --> 00:26:34,880 just going back to the Ukraine package . 689 00:26:34,890 --> 00:26:36,946 Can you talk a little bit more about 690 00:26:36,946 --> 00:26:39,057 integrating the air defense systems , 691 00:26:39,057 --> 00:26:41,223 particularly all the systems have been 692 00:26:41,223 --> 00:26:43,334 sent by different NATO partners . And 693 00:26:43,334 --> 00:26:45,334 how do you integrate those with the 694 00:26:45,334 --> 00:26:47,501 systems ? Ukraine already has ? Yeah . 695 00:26:47,501 --> 00:26:50,900 So um without going into operationally 696 00:26:50,900 --> 00:26:53,610 sensitive matters broadly speaking . Uh 697 00:26:53,620 --> 00:26:55,731 so , so a couple of things , so first 698 00:26:55,731 --> 00:26:57,787 of all , it's important to recognize 699 00:26:57,787 --> 00:26:59,960 that the Ukrainians already have done 700 00:26:59,970 --> 00:27:02,480 uh a fairly remarkable job of 701 00:27:02,480 --> 00:27:05,400 protecting uh you know , of employing 702 00:27:05,400 --> 00:27:07,567 the air defense capabilities that they 703 00:27:07,567 --> 00:27:09,678 have . That said we do recognize that 704 00:27:09,678 --> 00:27:12,060 as they take these new pieces and parts 705 00:27:12,060 --> 00:27:14,740 and integrate it into their system , uh 706 00:27:14,750 --> 00:27:17,083 support , continued support is required . 707 00:27:17,083 --> 00:27:19,139 And so we consult regularly with the 708 00:27:19,139 --> 00:27:21,361 Ukrainians and our international allies 709 00:27:21,361 --> 00:27:23,306 and partners and how they can best 710 00:27:23,306 --> 00:27:25,361 integrate those systems . So that is 711 00:27:25,361 --> 00:27:27,639 ongoing work . Um You know , but again , 712 00:27:27,639 --> 00:27:29,806 they've been doing a pretty remarkable 713 00:27:29,806 --> 00:27:31,861 job of intercepting Russian missiles 714 00:27:31,861 --> 00:27:34,083 and drones . Thank you . Alright . Time 715 00:27:34,083 --> 00:27:36,083 for just a couple more Orange , two 716 00:27:36,083 --> 00:27:38,083 questions on the balloon . First on 717 00:27:38,083 --> 00:27:40,139 maneuverability , can it maneuver up 718 00:27:40,139 --> 00:27:42,083 and down as well as laterally ? In 719 00:27:42,083 --> 00:27:41,810 other words , turn as well as change 720 00:27:41,810 --> 00:27:44,500 altitude and , and in terms of tracking , 721 00:27:44,500 --> 00:27:46,833 how are you tracking this ? Is it radar ? 722 00:27:46,833 --> 00:27:48,944 Is it aircraft ? And is it continuous 723 00:27:48,944 --> 00:27:50,944 tracking or is it more intermittent 724 00:27:50,944 --> 00:27:53,056 than that ? Yeah , thanks Orange . So 725 00:27:53,056 --> 00:27:55,222 beyond saying that we are continuously 726 00:27:55,222 --> 00:27:57,444 tracking the balloon , I'm not going to 727 00:27:57,444 --> 00:27:59,556 go into the specifics in terms of how 728 00:27:59,556 --> 00:28:01,611 we track , other than to say that we 729 00:28:01,611 --> 00:28:03,778 have multiple means at our disposal to 730 00:28:03,778 --> 00:28:06,520 do that . Uh in terms of more specifics 731 00:28:06,530 --> 00:28:08,697 on the balloon . Again , I'm not gonna 732 00:28:08,697 --> 00:28:10,697 get into intelligence again , other 733 00:28:10,697 --> 00:28:12,808 than it is maneuverable . Uh And I'll 734 00:28:12,808 --> 00:28:15,000 just leave it at that . All right , to 735 00:28:15,010 --> 00:28:17,121 two more questions fill and then some 736 00:28:17,280 --> 00:28:19,530 Chinese you said it changed course , 737 00:28:19,530 --> 00:28:21,530 did it change course following your 738 00:28:21,530 --> 00:28:23,530 disclosure of its presence over the 739 00:28:23,530 --> 00:28:26,270 United States ? And secondly , is the , 740 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:28,391 you know , to , to the , to the point 741 00:28:28,391 --> 00:28:30,558 about its capabilities ? Um You know , 742 00:28:30,558 --> 00:28:33,270 how does , how is it powered ? How is 743 00:28:33,270 --> 00:28:36,220 it moving ? Um How does it , how is it 744 00:28:36,220 --> 00:28:38,331 maneuverable ? Yeah , thanks , Phil . 745 00:28:38,331 --> 00:28:40,387 So again , on your ladder question , 746 00:28:40,387 --> 00:28:42,387 I'm not , I'm not going to get into 747 00:28:42,387 --> 00:28:44,609 intelligence . Clearly , it's a balloon 748 00:28:44,609 --> 00:28:46,720 that has a payload underneath it . Uh 749 00:28:46,720 --> 00:28:48,831 You know , just leave it at that . Um 750 00:28:48,831 --> 00:28:52,770 What's that ? Uh It's got a large 751 00:28:52,780 --> 00:28:54,780 payload underneath the surveillance 752 00:28:54,780 --> 00:28:57,120 component underneath the actual balloon 753 00:28:57,130 --> 00:29:00,410 piece of it . Um So just leave it at 754 00:29:00,410 --> 00:29:04,320 that . Um And then in terms of the , 755 00:29:05,180 --> 00:29:08,100 the maneuverability , again , all I can 756 00:29:08,100 --> 00:29:10,267 say right now is at this point again , 757 00:29:10,267 --> 00:29:12,433 it's moving eastward across the United 758 00:29:12,433 --> 00:29:14,656 States currently over about the central 759 00:29:14,656 --> 00:29:17,840 United States change for this . 760 00:29:19,250 --> 00:29:21,080 I don't have that information . 761 00:29:27,350 --> 00:29:30,240 No , again , there is a , it is a 762 00:29:30,240 --> 00:29:32,462 surveillance balloon , right ? So there 763 00:29:32,462 --> 00:29:35,460 is a , there is a uh 764 00:29:36,190 --> 00:29:38,500 surveillance capability underneath this 765 00:29:38,500 --> 00:29:41,610 large balloon , right ? So look at a 766 00:29:41,610 --> 00:29:43,930 blimp . A blimp has a basket , right ? 767 00:29:43,940 --> 00:29:47,780 So there's a basket underneath it in 768 00:29:47,780 --> 00:29:50,000 layman's terms . So again , large 769 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:52,630 enough to be concerning uh if there 770 00:29:52,630 --> 00:29:55,010 were debris field . So , alright , 771 00:29:55,020 --> 00:29:57,187 Qasem . Last question , has there been 772 00:29:57,187 --> 00:30:00,090 any multimodal communication with China 773 00:30:00,090 --> 00:30:02,201 with respect to the balloon ? Again , 774 00:30:02,201 --> 00:30:04,368 we've , we've communicated at multiple 775 00:30:04,368 --> 00:30:06,590 levels and I'll just leave it at that . 776 00:30:06,590 --> 00:30:09,230 Okay . Yeah . Is it , is it munitions ? 777 00:30:09,240 --> 00:30:11,950 It is a surveillance balloon again , 778 00:30:11,960 --> 00:30:14,127 does not pose , we currently assess it 779 00:30:14,127 --> 00:30:16,182 does not pose a physical or military 780 00:30:16,182 --> 00:30:18,293 risk to people on the ground . Okay . 781 00:30:18,293 --> 00:30:20,238 What could payload that ? Is it an 782 00:30:20,238 --> 00:30:22,404 engine ? I'm just , again , I can't go 783 00:30:22,404 --> 00:30:24,590 into more details . So . Okay . Thank 784 00:30:24,590 --> 00:30:26,757 you very much . Everybody . Appreciate 785 00:30:26,757 --> 00:30:25,820 it .