1 00:00:01,200 --> 00:00:03,549 Good afternoon , everyone , a few 2 00:00:03,559 --> 00:00:05,615 things at the top and then we'll get 3 00:00:05,615 --> 00:00:08,550 right to your questions this morning . 4 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:10,979 At the bilateral meeting with President 5 00:00:10,989 --> 00:00:12,767 Biden and Prime Minister Modi , 6 00:00:12,767 --> 00:00:15,079 Secretary Austin shared perspectives on 7 00:00:15,090 --> 00:00:17,500 the tremendous strides both countries' 8 00:00:17,510 --> 00:00:19,621 militaries have made to promote peace 9 00:00:19,621 --> 00:00:21,989 and security . And Secretary Austin is 10 00:00:22,000 --> 00:00:24,430 scheduled to attend the state dinner to 11 00:00:24,440 --> 00:00:26,889 celebrate over 75 years of deepening 12 00:00:26,899 --> 00:00:29,010 partnership between the United States 13 00:00:29,010 --> 00:00:31,121 and India and the bonds that link our 14 00:00:31,121 --> 00:00:33,490 peoples together . The secretary has 15 00:00:33,500 --> 00:00:35,167 been looking forward to these 16 00:00:35,167 --> 00:00:37,222 engagements especially following his 17 00:00:37,222 --> 00:00:39,333 recent trip to India where the United 18 00:00:39,333 --> 00:00:41,111 States and India established an 19 00:00:41,111 --> 00:00:43,056 ambitious new road map for defense 20 00:00:43,056 --> 00:00:45,529 industrial cooperation . As Secretary 21 00:00:45,540 --> 00:00:48,459 Austin said while he was in India , the 22 00:00:48,470 --> 00:00:50,830 US India partnership is a cornerstone 23 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:53,180 of a free and open Indo Pacific . And 24 00:00:53,189 --> 00:00:54,800 our deepening bonds show how 25 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:56,856 technological innovation and growing 26 00:00:56,856 --> 00:00:59,022 military cooperation between two great 27 00:00:59,022 --> 00:01:01,490 powers can be a force for global good . 28 00:01:02,310 --> 00:01:04,910 Also today , the defense Powmi , a 29 00:01:04,919 --> 00:01:08,900 accounting agency or DPA A unveiled 30 00:01:08,910 --> 00:01:12,779 the 2023 Powmiimi a recognition day 31 00:01:12,790 --> 00:01:16,309 poster in the Powmi A corridor here at 32 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:18,690 the Pentagon . The posters are an 33 00:01:18,699 --> 00:01:20,366 annual tradition and a visual 34 00:01:20,366 --> 00:01:22,720 representation of the dod's efforts for 35 00:01:22,730 --> 00:01:24,674 the fullest possible accounting of 36 00:01:24,674 --> 00:01:26,563 Americans still missing from past 37 00:01:26,563 --> 00:01:29,360 conflicts . This year , national Pow Mi 38 00:01:29,379 --> 00:01:31,129 A Recognition day will fall on 39 00:01:31,139 --> 00:01:34,190 September 15 from conflicts dating back 40 00:01:34,199 --> 00:01:36,088 to World War II . There are still 41 00:01:36,088 --> 00:01:38,489 nearly 82,000 Americans who remain 42 00:01:38,500 --> 00:01:40,519 unaccounted for thanks to their 43 00:01:40,529 --> 00:01:42,751 diligence and dedicated efforts . DPA A 44 00:01:42,751 --> 00:01:45,870 successfully accounted for 166 missing 45 00:01:45,879 --> 00:01:47,935 service members over the last fiscal 46 00:01:47,935 --> 00:01:49,990 year , bringing important closure to 47 00:01:49,990 --> 00:01:52,046 many families and enabling us to pay 48 00:01:52,046 --> 00:01:53,935 proper tribute to fallen American 49 00:01:53,935 --> 00:01:57,059 lawyers . Other news Secretary Austin 50 00:01:57,069 --> 00:01:58,902 will welcome Italy's Minister of 51 00:01:58,902 --> 00:02:00,680 Defense Guido Corto here at the 52 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:02,680 Pentagon tomorrow . The leaders are 53 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:04,902 expected to discuss a variety of topics 54 00:02:04,902 --> 00:02:06,513 to include Italy's expansive 55 00:02:06,513 --> 00:02:08,458 contributions to the international 56 00:02:08,458 --> 00:02:10,910 security as a security provider in the 57 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:13,300 Balkans , Europe's eastern flank , 58 00:02:13,309 --> 00:02:16,080 Lebanon , Iraq and Africa , as well as 59 00:02:16,089 --> 00:02:18,256 Italy's newest naval deployment to the 60 00:02:18,256 --> 00:02:20,367 Indo Pacific . A full readout will be 61 00:02:20,367 --> 00:02:22,589 posted to defense dot gov following the 62 00:02:22,589 --> 00:02:24,949 meeting . Also tomorrow , Deputy 63 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:27,127 Secretary of Defense Hicks will travel 64 00:02:27,127 --> 00:02:29,293 to us Southern Command headquarters in 65 00:02:29,293 --> 00:02:31,460 Miami , Florida where she'll meet with 66 00:02:31,460 --> 00:02:33,460 the US South comm Commander General 67 00:02:33,460 --> 00:02:35,516 Laura Richardson and senior staff to 68 00:02:35,516 --> 00:02:37,682 discuss implementation of the national 69 00:02:37,682 --> 00:02:39,404 defense strategy and strategic 70 00:02:39,404 --> 00:02:41,889 strategic threats to include the impact 71 00:02:41,899 --> 00:02:43,788 of climate change on national and 72 00:02:43,788 --> 00:02:45,843 regional security . She'll also meet 73 00:02:45,843 --> 00:02:48,066 with junior and mid career enlisted and 74 00:02:48,066 --> 00:02:50,177 commission service members and to our 75 00:02:50,177 --> 00:02:52,343 local facilities to discuss quality of 76 00:02:52,343 --> 00:02:54,343 life issues in support of Secretary 77 00:02:54,343 --> 00:02:56,066 Austin's taking care of people 78 00:02:56,066 --> 00:02:58,288 priorities . And finally , I know we've 79 00:02:58,288 --> 00:03:00,232 all been following very closely in 80 00:03:00,232 --> 00:03:02,455 recent days , the ongoing rescue effort 81 00:03:02,455 --> 00:03:04,732 for the Submersible Titan and its crew . 82 00:03:04,732 --> 00:03:06,843 As you are aware , the US Coast Guard 83 00:03:06,843 --> 00:03:09,010 remains the lead agency for us efforts 84 00:03:09,010 --> 00:03:10,843 and we remain grateful for their 85 00:03:10,843 --> 00:03:13,010 leadership . The Department of Defense 86 00:03:13,010 --> 00:03:12,729 is supporting the Coast Guard and 87 00:03:12,740 --> 00:03:15,100 partner agencies along with the broader 88 00:03:15,110 --> 00:03:17,166 international effort with a range of 89 00:03:17,166 --> 00:03:19,210 key capabilities . The US Navy has 90 00:03:19,220 --> 00:03:21,470 provided a fly away deep ocean salvage 91 00:03:21,479 --> 00:03:24,119 system used for the recovery of large 92 00:03:24,130 --> 00:03:26,429 heavy undersea objects such as aircraft 93 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:28,830 or small vessels and salvage and diving 94 00:03:28,839 --> 00:03:31,061 subject matter experts to assist in the 95 00:03:31,061 --> 00:03:32,820 rescue effort . Plus us , 96 00:03:32,830 --> 00:03:34,997 transportation command has deployed us 97 00:03:34,997 --> 00:03:37,509 air force c 17 cargo aircraft to move 98 00:03:37,520 --> 00:03:39,576 remotely operated vehicle assets and 99 00:03:39,576 --> 00:03:41,798 supporting equipment into the area from 100 00:03:41,798 --> 00:03:43,740 both the US and Europe . We all 101 00:03:43,750 --> 00:03:45,972 recognize the urgency of this , of this 102 00:03:45,972 --> 00:03:47,917 effort and I know our thoughts and 103 00:03:47,917 --> 00:03:50,139 prayers are with the titan crew , their 104 00:03:50,139 --> 00:03:50,039 families and with all the responders 105 00:03:50,050 --> 00:03:52,050 who are working around the clock in 106 00:03:52,050 --> 00:03:54,272 support of this operation . Again , the 107 00:03:54,272 --> 00:03:56,439 US Coast Guard is the lead agency . Uh 108 00:03:56,439 --> 00:03:58,550 In fact , it's my understanding Coast 109 00:03:58,550 --> 00:04:00,661 Guard leaders will brief the media uh 110 00:04:00,661 --> 00:04:02,828 with the latest information today at 3 111 00:04:02,828 --> 00:04:04,939 p.m. So I'd refer you to them for the 112 00:04:04,939 --> 00:04:07,106 most current operational updates . And 113 00:04:07,106 --> 00:04:06,750 with that , I'm happy to take your 114 00:04:06,759 --> 00:04:09,092 questions . We'll start with a P uh-huh . 115 00:04:09,100 --> 00:04:12,649 Thank you . Um One quick operational 116 00:04:12,660 --> 00:04:14,827 thing . And then another question , um 117 00:04:14,827 --> 00:04:18,140 does the US have any assessment on the 118 00:04:18,149 --> 00:04:21,260 damage to the bridge to Crimea that was 119 00:04:21,269 --> 00:04:25,260 apparently damaged by Ukrainian fire ? 120 00:04:25,709 --> 00:04:28,420 And secondly , can you bring us up to 121 00:04:28,429 --> 00:04:31,779 date on the F-16 training ? And the 122 00:04:31,790 --> 00:04:35,660 F-16s overall , has the US received 123 00:04:35,670 --> 00:04:38,429 any formal requests from other 124 00:04:38,440 --> 00:04:41,089 countries to transfer either assets or 125 00:04:41,100 --> 00:04:43,100 training or anything like that that 126 00:04:43,100 --> 00:04:45,459 you're aware of ? And has the US made 127 00:04:45,470 --> 00:04:48,834 any decisions on whether or not it will 128 00:04:48,845 --> 00:04:51,644 provide trainers or anything like that ? 129 00:04:51,654 --> 00:04:53,876 Can you just update us on the latest on 130 00:04:53,876 --> 00:04:56,135 that ? In terms of Ukraine ? I don't , 131 00:04:56,144 --> 00:04:58,366 I don't have any operational updates to 132 00:04:58,366 --> 00:05:00,477 provide . Li certainly we continue to 133 00:05:00,477 --> 00:05:02,588 monitor the situation there . I , I'd 134 00:05:02,588 --> 00:05:05,625 refer you to the Ukrainian Ministry of 135 00:05:05,635 --> 00:05:08,125 Defense to talk about those kinds of 136 00:05:08,135 --> 00:05:10,619 aspects from the battlefield uh as it 137 00:05:10,630 --> 00:05:12,920 relates to F-16s , as you know , this 138 00:05:12,929 --> 00:05:15,151 was a , a topic of discussion last week 139 00:05:15,151 --> 00:05:17,318 at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group . 140 00:05:17,318 --> 00:05:20,019 Uh the Netherlands and Denmark are in 141 00:05:20,029 --> 00:05:23,010 the lead in terms of developing the uh 142 00:05:23,019 --> 00:05:26,170 the training program for Ukrainian F-16 143 00:05:26,179 --> 00:05:28,420 pilots . Uh I'd refer you to them to 144 00:05:28,429 --> 00:05:30,790 talk about the timing and the eventual 145 00:05:30,799 --> 00:05:33,989 location of that F-16 training . Um We 146 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:36,850 have received a request from Denmark uh 147 00:05:36,859 --> 00:05:40,470 to support uh F-16 training , uh 148 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:42,258 which would be expected that is 149 00:05:42,258 --> 00:05:44,313 currently under review . And again , 150 00:05:44,313 --> 00:05:46,536 when we have updates to announce , we , 151 00:05:46,536 --> 00:05:49,029 we certainly will um what we anticipate 152 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:51,489 going forward is that before the end of 153 00:05:51,500 --> 00:05:53,333 the year , obviously , that F-16 154 00:05:53,333 --> 00:05:55,667 training will start somewhere in Europe , 155 00:05:55,667 --> 00:05:57,667 the United States will work closely 156 00:05:57,667 --> 00:05:59,556 with our allies to implement that 157 00:05:59,556 --> 00:06:01,556 training . Uh But again , the , the 158 00:06:01,556 --> 00:06:03,667 Dutch and the Danes are in the lead . 159 00:06:03,667 --> 00:06:05,889 Can you um you said it's under review ? 160 00:06:05,889 --> 00:06:07,722 But who does that ? What is that 161 00:06:07,722 --> 00:06:10,730 process ? So , so process wide uh those 162 00:06:10,739 --> 00:06:12,906 requests uh per standard are submitted 163 00:06:12,906 --> 00:06:14,906 through the State Department , then 164 00:06:14,906 --> 00:06:17,128 they would come to the dod for review . 165 00:06:17,128 --> 00:06:19,350 Uh Again , we'll keep you updated uh in 166 00:06:19,350 --> 00:06:21,517 terms of the , the turnaround times on 167 00:06:21,517 --> 00:06:21,049 those . But obviously , this is 168 00:06:21,059 --> 00:06:23,170 something that , that uh we recognize 169 00:06:23,170 --> 00:06:25,115 the urgency of and we'll work very 170 00:06:25,115 --> 00:06:29,079 quickly on an air force uh process to 171 00:06:29,089 --> 00:06:31,200 look at the training or is that a dod 172 00:06:31,200 --> 00:06:33,367 uh this , this would be at the the dod 173 00:06:33,367 --> 00:06:35,720 level ? Ok . Let me go over here to 174 00:06:35,730 --> 00:06:37,952 Matt . Thanks Pat a couple of questions 175 00:06:37,952 --> 00:06:40,008 on the Submersible . Do you have any 176 00:06:40,008 --> 00:06:42,174 updates on the debris field that we've 177 00:06:42,174 --> 00:06:44,286 heard about possibly being discovered 178 00:06:44,286 --> 00:06:46,508 near the site of the Titanic wreckage ? 179 00:06:46,508 --> 00:06:49,329 Um Also any updates on us , military 180 00:06:49,339 --> 00:06:51,730 assets that are moving in to assist 181 00:06:51,739 --> 00:06:53,461 with the efforts ? Is it still 182 00:06:53,461 --> 00:06:56,019 characterized as a um search and rescue 183 00:06:56,029 --> 00:06:58,196 effort ? Yeah . So from an operational 184 00:06:58,196 --> 00:07:00,418 standpoint , Matt again , I'd I'd refer 185 00:07:00,418 --> 00:07:02,640 you to the Coast guard . Um obviously , 186 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:04,696 you know , you're track and they put 187 00:07:04,696 --> 00:07:04,500 out a tweet today about the debris 188 00:07:04,510 --> 00:07:06,566 field . I I really don't have any uh 189 00:07:06,566 --> 00:07:09,070 granular detail to provide from the 190 00:07:09,079 --> 00:07:11,359 podium here . Uh I highlighted some of 191 00:07:11,369 --> 00:07:13,147 the assets that the US Navy has 192 00:07:13,147 --> 00:07:16,339 provided . Uh And again , uh Us 193 00:07:16,350 --> 00:07:19,019 Transcom C 17 s are are helping to 194 00:07:19,029 --> 00:07:22,170 ferry uh equipment uh that can be used 195 00:07:22,179 --> 00:07:24,290 in that effort . Um But beyond that , 196 00:07:24,299 --> 00:07:26,355 the Coast guard would be in the best 197 00:07:26,355 --> 00:07:28,577 position to follow up on costs with the 198 00:07:28,577 --> 00:07:30,799 coast guard being the lead uh of the US 199 00:07:30,799 --> 00:07:33,160 effort . How do costs work out ? Does 200 00:07:33,170 --> 00:07:35,450 the US Navy foot the bill for their own 201 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:37,656 efforts or can you speak to how that 202 00:07:37,656 --> 00:07:39,767 works ? Yeah , so a couple , a couple 203 00:07:39,767 --> 00:07:41,767 of thoughts on that . So from a dod 204 00:07:41,767 --> 00:07:43,656 perspective , I don't have a cost 205 00:07:43,656 --> 00:07:45,767 estimate to provide and , and I refer 206 00:07:45,767 --> 00:07:47,767 you to the , the Navy and the Coast 207 00:07:47,767 --> 00:07:47,410 Guard for their individual efforts . I 208 00:07:47,420 --> 00:07:49,750 would say that when it comes to things 209 00:07:49,760 --> 00:07:52,589 like operating aircraft , uh those come 210 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:54,570 from appropriated funds which are 211 00:07:54,579 --> 00:07:56,635 already budgeted for . So , so those 212 00:07:56,635 --> 00:07:59,070 are hours that already have been paid 213 00:07:59,079 --> 00:08:01,859 for . Um And then taking a step back 214 00:08:01,869 --> 00:08:03,980 here again . Uh You know , I know , I 215 00:08:03,980 --> 00:08:06,429 don't have to tell you this . Uh what 216 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:08,551 we're talking about here is an effort 217 00:08:08,551 --> 00:08:10,662 to , to try to save human lives . And 218 00:08:10,662 --> 00:08:12,869 so uh certainly worthwhile uh and 219 00:08:12,880 --> 00:08:15,102 something that , that we're glad from a 220 00:08:15,102 --> 00:08:17,279 dod standpoint that we can um support 221 00:08:17,290 --> 00:08:19,290 the Coast Guard and their effort on 222 00:08:19,290 --> 00:08:21,457 that front . Thank you , Janie . Thank 223 00:08:21,457 --> 00:08:24,760 you General on the pow and mi A 224 00:08:24,769 --> 00:08:28,529 issues . How many us ? Pow and 225 00:08:28,540 --> 00:08:31,059 missing militants are still in North 226 00:08:31,070 --> 00:08:34,369 Korea ? And what is the current status 227 00:08:34,380 --> 00:08:38,280 of the repatriation of us military 228 00:08:38,299 --> 00:08:40,489 remains ? Yeah . Thank you for the 229 00:08:40,500 --> 00:08:42,667 question . Um I'd refer you to the DPA 230 00:08:42,667 --> 00:08:44,833 A on that . They'll be able to provide 231 00:08:44,833 --> 00:08:46,833 you with some additional details on 232 00:08:46,833 --> 00:08:49,219 North Korea . It was reported that the 233 00:08:49,229 --> 00:08:53,039 North Korean ships had ducked in a 234 00:08:53,049 --> 00:08:56,979 Russian port . We don't know what items 235 00:08:56,989 --> 00:09:00,679 are in the ship but in a recent letter 236 00:09:00,690 --> 00:09:03,570 sent by North Korean Kim Jong Un to 237 00:09:03,580 --> 00:09:07,500 Russian President Putin and North Korea 238 00:09:07,510 --> 00:09:11,510 and Russia to deepen 239 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:14,869 military cooperation . What are your 240 00:09:14,880 --> 00:09:17,859 concerns about it ? Well , certainly , 241 00:09:17,869 --> 00:09:20,500 you know , we are aware that Russia and 242 00:09:20,510 --> 00:09:24,020 D Pr K maintain some type of 243 00:09:24,030 --> 00:09:26,141 relationship as it pertains to a ship 244 00:09:26,141 --> 00:09:28,197 and what may may or not be on that . 245 00:09:28,197 --> 00:09:30,419 That's just not something I can go into 246 00:09:30,859 --> 00:09:32,989 exchange some kind of military . 247 00:09:36,500 --> 00:09:38,056 I'm not going to talk about 248 00:09:38,056 --> 00:09:40,167 intelligence nor going to speculate , 249 00:09:40,167 --> 00:09:42,333 but let me go back to Reindeer . Thank 250 00:09:42,333 --> 00:09:44,333 you so much , Pat a few more on the 251 00:09:44,333 --> 00:09:46,500 Submersible . What did the saga around 252 00:09:46,500 --> 00:09:49,219 the titan expose to you about potential 253 00:09:49,229 --> 00:09:51,500 gaps in the US military's ISR 254 00:09:51,510 --> 00:09:54,130 capabilities specifically for undersea 255 00:09:54,140 --> 00:09:56,849 domains ? Uh Yeah , thanks for the 256 00:09:56,859 --> 00:10:00,260 question . So , so really let's kind of 257 00:10:00,270 --> 00:10:02,492 separate what , what you're asking here 258 00:10:02,492 --> 00:10:04,603 really two different things , right ? 259 00:10:04,603 --> 00:10:06,714 So one is an international search and 260 00:10:06,714 --> 00:10:08,992 rescue effort for a commercially owned , 261 00:10:08,992 --> 00:10:11,890 commercially operated vehicle . Uh and 262 00:10:11,900 --> 00:10:15,450 a very deep part of the North 263 00:10:15,460 --> 00:10:18,250 Atlantic . Uh And so when you just take 264 00:10:18,260 --> 00:10:20,482 a step back again and look at the speed 265 00:10:20,482 --> 00:10:22,649 of response when it comes to the Coast 266 00:10:22,649 --> 00:10:24,871 Guard and the international community , 267 00:10:24,871 --> 00:10:26,982 I think that in and of itself is , is 268 00:10:26,982 --> 00:10:29,038 pretty impressive . Uh When you talk 269 00:10:29,038 --> 00:10:30,927 about things like maritime domain 270 00:10:30,927 --> 00:10:33,260 awareness from a US military standpoint , 271 00:10:33,260 --> 00:10:35,371 uh I would say that the United States 272 00:10:35,371 --> 00:10:37,538 is the best in the world when it comes 273 00:10:37,538 --> 00:10:36,570 to that . And clearly , this is 274 00:10:36,580 --> 00:10:38,747 something we talk about a lot in terms 275 00:10:38,747 --> 00:10:40,969 of working with our allies and partners 276 00:10:40,969 --> 00:10:43,989 to help enhance their own capabilities . 277 00:10:44,000 --> 00:10:46,950 Um But we are confident that we have um 278 00:10:47,010 --> 00:10:49,010 sophisticated capabilities that are 279 00:10:49,010 --> 00:10:51,400 geared towards our national security 280 00:10:51,409 --> 00:10:53,669 interests and potential threats . Thank 281 00:10:53,770 --> 00:10:55,714 you . And just a quick follow up , 282 00:10:55,714 --> 00:10:57,714 there aren't actually many types of 283 00:10:57,714 --> 00:10:59,881 underwater drones that exist right now 284 00:10:59,881 --> 00:11:01,929 that are capable of salvaging any 285 00:11:01,940 --> 00:11:05,000 objects from 12,000 plus feet below the 286 00:11:05,010 --> 00:11:07,859 sea . And so does OS D see a need to 287 00:11:07,869 --> 00:11:10,570 invest in buying or developing more 288 00:11:10,580 --> 00:11:13,169 uuvs to operate at extreme depths ? I 289 00:11:13,179 --> 00:11:15,219 believe it was Canadian and French 290 00:11:15,229 --> 00:11:17,340 capabilities that went the deepest in 291 00:11:17,340 --> 00:11:20,070 this case . So , so , so now we're kind 292 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:23,369 of getting into the uh again comparing 293 00:11:23,380 --> 00:11:25,436 a little bit of apples and oranges , 294 00:11:25,436 --> 00:11:27,547 right ? So the US military is focused 295 00:11:27,547 --> 00:11:29,769 on defending the nation and defending , 296 00:11:29,769 --> 00:11:31,713 you know , our allies and partners 297 00:11:31,713 --> 00:11:33,880 around the world . And so we are going 298 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:35,658 to build our force based on the 299 00:11:35,658 --> 00:11:37,824 capability requirements that we have . 300 00:11:37,824 --> 00:11:39,991 Uh And so I'll just leave it at that , 301 00:11:39,991 --> 00:11:41,991 that mission doesn't require you to 302 00:11:41,991 --> 00:11:44,102 have drones at such deep depth . So , 303 00:11:44,102 --> 00:11:46,102 again , the Coast Guard , this is a 304 00:11:46,102 --> 00:11:47,991 search and rescue operation for a 305 00:11:47,991 --> 00:11:49,880 commercially owned , commercially 306 00:11:49,880 --> 00:11:52,158 operated um Submersible . Uh And again , 307 00:11:52,158 --> 00:11:54,324 I mean , we do have capabilities to go 308 00:11:54,324 --> 00:11:56,658 uh very deep . Um But your question was , 309 00:11:56,658 --> 00:11:58,658 do we need to invest essentially in 310 00:11:58,658 --> 00:12:02,099 drones to go deeper ? And and again , a 311 00:12:02,109 --> 00:12:04,099 primary focus of the United States 312 00:12:04,109 --> 00:12:06,053 military at large while search and 313 00:12:06,053 --> 00:12:08,276 rescue is certainly an aspect of that . 314 00:12:08,276 --> 00:12:10,053 You know , there's also broader 315 00:12:10,053 --> 00:12:12,276 questions to take into account in terms 316 00:12:12,276 --> 00:12:14,442 of what is , what is the threat , what 317 00:12:14,442 --> 00:12:14,270 are the capabilities require ? And 318 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:16,549 again , we will continue to invest in 319 00:12:16,559 --> 00:12:18,670 the right capabilities as they relate 320 00:12:18,670 --> 00:12:20,837 to the National defense strategy . Let 321 00:12:20,837 --> 00:12:23,289 me go to Phil here , Ukraine . After 322 00:12:23,299 --> 00:12:25,632 following up on the question , you know , 323 00:12:25,632 --> 00:12:27,855 there's a Russian official being quoted 324 00:12:27,855 --> 00:12:29,966 saying that the attacks on the bridge 325 00:12:29,966 --> 00:12:31,910 were plotted by London , excuse me 326 00:12:31,910 --> 00:12:34,077 saying London was the United States or 327 00:12:34,077 --> 00:12:36,789 its ally , Western allies involved in 328 00:12:36,799 --> 00:12:40,469 planning the attacks on the bridge and , 329 00:12:40,604 --> 00:12:42,882 and also on the Submersible , you know , 330 00:12:42,882 --> 00:12:44,984 is the , is the US military still 331 00:12:44,994 --> 00:12:48,565 adding capabilities to the search or is 332 00:12:48,575 --> 00:12:50,297 it causing that ? Now with the 333 00:12:50,297 --> 00:12:52,297 discovery of the debris field , you 334 00:12:52,297 --> 00:12:54,614 know , is it is so on the first 335 00:12:54,625 --> 00:12:56,903 question , I mean , I think , you know , 336 00:12:56,903 --> 00:12:58,625 we've been very clear from the 337 00:12:58,625 --> 00:13:01,674 beginning of Russia's invasion and very 338 00:13:01,684 --> 00:13:04,544 clear in terms of the security 339 00:13:04,554 --> 00:13:06,665 assistance that the United States and 340 00:13:06,665 --> 00:13:09,000 its allies are providing . You know , 341 00:13:09,010 --> 00:13:11,121 I'm not going to speak for the United 342 00:13:11,121 --> 00:13:13,343 Kingdom , but I'm pretty confident when 343 00:13:13,343 --> 00:13:15,900 I say that this is Ukraine's fight , 344 00:13:16,090 --> 00:13:18,849 they are planning and executing that 345 00:13:18,859 --> 00:13:21,520 fight . Our focus is on working with 346 00:13:21,530 --> 00:13:23,752 them and our allies and our partners to 347 00:13:23,752 --> 00:13:25,586 ensure that they have the combat 348 00:13:25,586 --> 00:13:27,530 capabilities . They need to defend 349 00:13:27,530 --> 00:13:29,641 their country and take back sovereign 350 00:13:29,641 --> 00:13:31,530 territory and help them pick that 351 00:13:31,530 --> 00:13:33,530 target . Again , it's their fight . 352 00:13:33,530 --> 00:13:35,752 They're picking the targets and they're 353 00:13:35,752 --> 00:13:37,752 executing this mission . Um when it 354 00:13:37,752 --> 00:13:39,863 comes to uh the Submersible and the , 355 00:13:39,863 --> 00:13:41,863 the debris field again , Phil , I'd 356 00:13:41,863 --> 00:13:44,030 refer you to the Coast Guard . Um They 357 00:13:44,030 --> 00:13:46,197 are in the lead . Uh They are managing 358 00:13:46,197 --> 00:13:47,919 the unified uh command that is 359 00:13:47,919 --> 00:13:50,030 overseeing this operation . And so we 360 00:13:50,030 --> 00:13:52,197 would be in a support role in terms of 361 00:13:52,197 --> 00:13:54,308 requested capabilities . So no way to 362 00:13:54,308 --> 00:13:56,530 say what you're adding or , or , oh , I 363 00:13:56,530 --> 00:13:58,308 listed out right now what we're 364 00:13:58,308 --> 00:13:58,159 providing , I'm not aware of any 365 00:13:58,169 --> 00:14:00,336 additional request at this time . So , 366 00:14:00,336 --> 00:14:02,613 ok , let me go back here . Yes , ma'am . 367 00:14:02,613 --> 00:14:04,836 Thank you , sir . Underwood from Signal 368 00:14:04,836 --> 00:14:06,891 Magazine . I wanted to ask about the 369 00:14:06,891 --> 00:14:09,113 new Intersex partnership and if you can 370 00:14:09,113 --> 00:14:11,289 speak to who might be on the senior 371 00:14:11,299 --> 00:14:13,530 advisor group and then how will the 372 00:14:13,539 --> 00:14:16,989 secretary um guide and shape this new 373 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:20,150 partnership ? And I assume maybe his 374 00:14:20,159 --> 00:14:22,340 meetings with Prime Minister modi this 375 00:14:22,349 --> 00:14:24,830 week would be addressing part of the 376 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:27,440 shape of the intersex . Sure . Um So a 377 00:14:27,450 --> 00:14:29,169 few things on this um as you 378 00:14:29,179 --> 00:14:31,619 highlighted , um we did announce uh 379 00:14:31,630 --> 00:14:35,140 this week , the uh India Us 380 00:14:35,150 --> 00:14:38,059 Defense Acceleration ecosystem or in X 381 00:14:38,070 --> 00:14:40,292 as you highlighted uh with the focus of 382 00:14:40,292 --> 00:14:42,260 expanding strategic technology 383 00:14:42,270 --> 00:14:44,340 partnership and defense industrial 384 00:14:44,349 --> 00:14:46,869 cooperation between the United States 385 00:14:47,070 --> 00:14:49,292 and India in terms of our governments , 386 00:14:49,292 --> 00:14:51,840 business and academic institutions . Um 387 00:14:51,849 --> 00:14:54,016 A as you highlighted , there will be a 388 00:14:54,016 --> 00:14:56,020 senior advisor group uh that will 389 00:14:56,030 --> 00:14:58,559 assess progress of this collaboration 390 00:14:58,830 --> 00:15:01,119 and make recommendations to both the 391 00:15:01,130 --> 00:15:03,352 defense establishments in India and the 392 00:15:03,352 --> 00:15:05,241 United States and other intersect 393 00:15:05,241 --> 00:15:07,330 stakeholders for future work . Uh 394 00:15:07,340 --> 00:15:09,880 Members of that group will include the 395 00:15:09,890 --> 00:15:13,469 US Institute of Peace Carnegie , India , 396 00:15:13,630 --> 00:15:16,020 uh the US India Strategic Partnership 397 00:15:16,030 --> 00:15:18,409 Forum uh and the Society of Indian 398 00:15:18,419 --> 00:15:21,880 Defense Manufacturers . Uh And uh I I 399 00:15:21,890 --> 00:15:24,409 would point you to the dod website . We 400 00:15:24,419 --> 00:15:26,530 have a fact sheet that lists all this 401 00:15:26,530 --> 00:15:29,119 out in detail . OK . All right . Let me 402 00:15:29,130 --> 00:15:31,241 go to and then right back to military 403 00:15:31,241 --> 00:15:33,408 dot com . Ok . Thank you very much . I 404 00:15:33,408 --> 00:15:35,186 want to follow up about defense 405 00:15:35,186 --> 00:15:38,090 cooperation with India . Uh US , senior 406 00:15:38,099 --> 00:15:41,150 of said one of the daily out of the 407 00:15:41,320 --> 00:15:44,469 building is a cheap repair agreement 408 00:15:44,479 --> 00:15:46,750 that will allow the US Navy to 409 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:49,880 undertake repair works in India and 410 00:15:49,890 --> 00:15:52,400 shipyard . So could you give us more 411 00:15:52,409 --> 00:15:56,195 specific on this agreement ? And how is 412 00:15:56,205 --> 00:15:58,344 it for the US Navy operation in the 413 00:15:58,385 --> 00:16:00,934 region . So , so kind of , you know , 414 00:16:00,945 --> 00:16:04,565 broadly speaking in light of the 415 00:16:04,575 --> 00:16:06,519 Minister or Prime Minister's visit 416 00:16:06,519 --> 00:16:08,464 today and , and Secretary Austin's 417 00:16:08,464 --> 00:16:10,353 recent visit and , and all of the 418 00:16:10,353 --> 00:16:13,094 engagement that we've had uh with India , 419 00:16:13,114 --> 00:16:15,864 this is really part of a um uh 420 00:16:16,294 --> 00:16:19,335 wide ranging strategic partnership uh 421 00:16:19,344 --> 00:16:21,695 in which we see defense and security 422 00:16:21,705 --> 00:16:24,830 cooperation um really becoming central 423 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:28,030 to , to our strategic relationship . Um 424 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:31,520 And , and the focus here is really on 425 00:16:31,619 --> 00:16:33,969 uh a continued commitment to defense 426 00:16:33,979 --> 00:16:35,830 cooperation to promote regional 427 00:16:35,840 --> 00:16:38,650 security and stability . Uh not only in 428 00:16:38,659 --> 00:16:40,937 the Indo Pacific region , but globally . 429 00:16:40,937 --> 00:16:43,048 So to answer your question , uh we'll 430 00:16:43,048 --> 00:16:45,103 have much more to follow in the near 431 00:16:45,103 --> 00:16:47,849 future . But the aim here is to make 432 00:16:47,859 --> 00:16:50,559 India uh a logistics hub for the United 433 00:16:50,570 --> 00:16:52,681 States and other partners in the Indo 434 00:16:52,681 --> 00:16:54,799 Pacific region . And so we intend to 435 00:16:54,809 --> 00:16:56,969 support India in the creation of 436 00:16:56,979 --> 00:16:59,035 logistics , repair and maintenance , 437 00:16:59,035 --> 00:17:01,950 infrastructure for aircraft and ships . 438 00:17:02,109 --> 00:17:04,220 So again , much more to follow in the 439 00:17:04,220 --> 00:17:06,540 days ahead . But that is obviously 440 00:17:06,550 --> 00:17:08,717 something that will be important as we 441 00:17:08,717 --> 00:17:10,772 work together to preserve a free and 442 00:17:10,772 --> 00:17:14,180 open Indo Pacific . Does the US Navy 443 00:17:14,189 --> 00:17:16,640 intend to increase the operation in the 444 00:17:16,650 --> 00:17:19,609 Indian Ocean as they have the more 445 00:17:19,619 --> 00:17:22,318 robust logistics ? Yeah , so I don't , 446 00:17:22,328 --> 00:17:24,550 I don't have anything to announce right 447 00:17:24,550 --> 00:17:26,828 now in terms of force presence clearly , 448 00:17:26,828 --> 00:17:29,050 you know , we continue to cooperate and 449 00:17:29,050 --> 00:17:31,389 work with India . Um The , the focus 450 00:17:31,399 --> 00:17:33,232 here is on working with India to 451 00:17:33,232 --> 00:17:36,019 increase their capacity . Um But you 452 00:17:36,029 --> 00:17:38,196 know , again , we'll have more updates 453 00:17:38,196 --> 00:17:40,418 to follow in the days ahead . Thank you 454 00:17:40,418 --> 00:17:42,640 very much . We go to military dot com . 455 00:17:42,640 --> 00:17:44,807 Military Times , uh Military Times . I 456 00:17:45,149 --> 00:17:46,871 uh with this enhanced military 457 00:17:46,871 --> 00:17:48,760 partnership between India and the 458 00:17:48,760 --> 00:17:50,816 United States is their concern about 459 00:17:50,816 --> 00:17:53,038 India's press back down and the lack of 460 00:17:53,038 --> 00:17:55,149 transparency on military issues . One 461 00:17:55,149 --> 00:17:57,205 of my colleagues um in India , Vivek 462 00:17:57,205 --> 00:17:59,205 Ravan has been in prison for over a 463 00:17:59,205 --> 00:18:01,371 month on allegations that reporting is 464 00:18:01,371 --> 00:18:03,805 tantamount to spying or espionage . Uh 465 00:18:03,814 --> 00:18:05,981 Well , defense officials here push for 466 00:18:05,981 --> 00:18:08,147 more transparency and press freedom in 467 00:18:08,147 --> 00:18:10,203 India as part of their partnership . 468 00:18:10,619 --> 00:18:12,841 Yeah , so I'm not gonna speak for India 469 00:18:12,841 --> 00:18:14,841 in , in terms of its own policies , 470 00:18:14,841 --> 00:18:16,730 obviously uh from a United States 471 00:18:16,730 --> 00:18:18,786 standpoint , as you just saw uh from 472 00:18:18,786 --> 00:18:20,890 the White House , we do uh place an 473 00:18:20,900 --> 00:18:23,270 emphasis on press freedom and the 474 00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:26,109 importance of uh engagement with press 475 00:18:26,119 --> 00:18:28,550 and a free and open press , a free and 476 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:31,089 independent press um in terms of our 477 00:18:31,099 --> 00:18:33,310 relationship with India . Again , I 478 00:18:33,319 --> 00:18:35,469 think the world's two largest 479 00:18:35,479 --> 00:18:37,609 democracies , we have a lot to gain 480 00:18:37,619 --> 00:18:39,508 from working together in terms of 481 00:18:39,508 --> 00:18:41,452 preserving peace and stability and 482 00:18:41,452 --> 00:18:43,563 security in the region . And so going 483 00:18:43,563 --> 00:18:45,730 forward , that will continue to be our 484 00:18:45,730 --> 00:18:48,050 focus will commit to inquiring about 485 00:18:48,060 --> 00:18:50,719 the situation again , in terms of the 486 00:18:50,729 --> 00:18:52,951 diplomatic relations between the United 487 00:18:52,951 --> 00:18:55,173 States and India when it comes to press 488 00:18:55,173 --> 00:18:57,189 freedoms , you know , certainly I'd 489 00:18:57,199 --> 00:18:59,421 refer you to the State Department again 490 00:18:59,421 --> 00:19:01,859 in our engagements with India . Um We 491 00:19:01,869 --> 00:19:04,150 again will continue to highlight our uh 492 00:19:04,160 --> 00:19:06,160 views in terms of the importance of 493 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:08,216 press engagement . Thank you , sir . 494 00:19:09,969 --> 00:19:12,136 On the security call had been to South 495 00:19:12,136 --> 00:19:14,080 Korea and then discussed about the 496 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:15,802 inaugural meeting of a nuclear 497 00:19:15,802 --> 00:19:17,747 consultive group . Can you tell me 498 00:19:17,747 --> 00:19:19,691 about when you do you think have a 499 00:19:19,691 --> 00:19:21,802 first meeting of a nuclear consultive 500 00:19:21,802 --> 00:19:24,025 group and who will be U delegate ? So I 501 00:19:24,025 --> 00:19:26,247 don't have any updates to provide right 502 00:19:26,247 --> 00:19:28,469 now . But you know , when we do , we'll 503 00:19:28,469 --> 00:19:30,691 certainly make that . So us S US SG and 504 00:19:30,691 --> 00:19:33,099 depart from South Korea today . So do 505 00:19:33,109 --> 00:19:35,819 we expect then come back to South Korea 506 00:19:35,829 --> 00:19:38,060 again ? And also do you still plan to 507 00:19:38,069 --> 00:19:41,520 send up and not SGN to South Korea ? Uh 508 00:19:41,530 --> 00:19:44,130 So I I don't want to get into potential 509 00:19:44,140 --> 00:19:45,973 future deployments of aircraft . 510 00:19:45,973 --> 00:19:47,918 Certainly , you've heard Secretary 511 00:19:47,920 --> 00:19:50,031 Austin and others talk about the fact 512 00:19:50,031 --> 00:19:51,930 that we will on occasion deploy 513 00:19:51,939 --> 00:19:54,420 strategic assets to South Korea to 514 00:19:54,430 --> 00:19:57,390 demonstrate our support uh to 515 00:19:57,400 --> 00:19:59,400 demonstrate extended deterrence and 516 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:01,619 again , to focus on interoperability 517 00:20:01,630 --> 00:20:03,741 between our forces . But I don't have 518 00:20:03,741 --> 00:20:06,019 anything to announce today . Thank you . 519 00:20:06,019 --> 00:20:05,969 All right . Yes , sir . 520 00:20:09,979 --> 00:20:13,180 So last week , some media reports that 521 00:20:13,189 --> 00:20:15,729 is in talk to provide art shells to the 522 00:20:15,739 --> 00:20:18,250 US to post the stocks for Ukraine 523 00:20:18,260 --> 00:20:20,599 counter offensive against , against the 524 00:20:20,609 --> 00:20:24,310 Euro . So can the Pentagon confirm that 525 00:20:24,319 --> 00:20:26,729 such discussions are taking place with 526 00:20:26,739 --> 00:20:29,339 Japan ? Um So I'm not gonna speak for 527 00:20:29,349 --> 00:20:31,405 Japan in terms of what it may or may 528 00:20:31,405 --> 00:20:33,460 not provide to Ukraine . Certainly , 529 00:20:33,460 --> 00:20:35,460 the , the topic of Ukraine security 530 00:20:35,460 --> 00:20:37,627 assistance is something that Secretary 531 00:20:37,627 --> 00:20:39,793 Austin speaks to all of our allies and 532 00:20:39,793 --> 00:20:42,170 partners about . Uh and when it comes 533 00:20:42,180 --> 00:20:44,229 to the assistance that Japan has 534 00:20:44,239 --> 00:20:46,295 already provided , you know , we are 535 00:20:46,295 --> 00:20:48,350 very grateful for that , but I don't 536 00:20:48,350 --> 00:20:50,406 have any more specifics to provide . 537 00:20:50,406 --> 00:20:50,189 Thank you very much time for a couple 538 00:20:50,199 --> 00:20:52,421 more . Just go to the back here . Yes , 539 00:20:52,421 --> 00:20:54,599 ma'am . Um So Ocean Gate , uh which is 540 00:20:54,609 --> 00:20:56,831 the company that owns the Submersible , 541 00:20:56,831 --> 00:20:58,942 just released a statement saying that 542 00:20:58,942 --> 00:21:00,776 they sadly believe that all five 543 00:21:00,776 --> 00:21:02,887 flights have been lost on the Titan . 544 00:21:02,969 --> 00:21:05,080 And so I'm just wondering if now this 545 00:21:05,080 --> 00:21:07,191 shifts to a recovery operation and if 546 00:21:07,191 --> 00:21:09,760 the navy vessel that's been employed , 547 00:21:09,770 --> 00:21:11,603 there is going to be shifting to 548 00:21:11,603 --> 00:21:13,603 recovery . Um So I was not tracking 549 00:21:13,603 --> 00:21:15,603 that statement . So , breaking news 550 00:21:15,603 --> 00:21:17,770 here uh in the briefing room and , and 551 00:21:17,770 --> 00:21:19,826 very sad to hear that uh again , the 552 00:21:19,826 --> 00:21:22,048 Coast Guard is in the lead on that . So 553 00:21:22,048 --> 00:21:24,103 they would make the determination in 554 00:21:24,103 --> 00:21:26,159 terms of the how to characterize the 555 00:21:26,159 --> 00:21:28,381 operation . So , uh we'll break here in 556 00:21:28,381 --> 00:21:30,603 a minute because I'm sure you all wanna 557 00:21:30,603 --> 00:21:32,714 see what they have to say . Um But uh 558 00:21:32,714 --> 00:21:34,714 yeah , again , our focus will be on 559 00:21:34,714 --> 00:21:36,770 support , supporting the Coast Guard 560 00:21:36,770 --> 00:21:38,937 and their efforts as we go forward and 561 00:21:38,937 --> 00:21:41,589 F-16 sorry , total turnaround . Um You 562 00:21:41,599 --> 00:21:43,432 mentioned that you've received a 563 00:21:43,432 --> 00:21:45,432 request from Denmark to support the 564 00:21:45,432 --> 00:21:47,488 F-16 training . Can you elaborate on 565 00:21:47,488 --> 00:21:49,488 that a bit ? Does that mean they've 566 00:21:49,488 --> 00:21:51,266 requested us trainers , they've 567 00:21:51,266 --> 00:21:53,488 requested that their planes can be sent 568 00:21:53,488 --> 00:21:53,479 to Ukraine ? What does that actually 569 00:21:53,489 --> 00:21:56,260 look like ? Uh So because it's a US 570 00:21:56,270 --> 00:21:59,790 aircraft per standard requesting the 571 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:02,260 ability to do that third party transfer , 572 00:22:02,270 --> 00:22:05,050 uh , it's a , uh , it's an 573 00:22:05,060 --> 00:22:07,359 administrative requirement in terms of 574 00:22:07,369 --> 00:22:09,239 being able to use um , their 575 00:22:09,250 --> 00:22:11,306 capabilities to conduct that kind of 576 00:22:11,306 --> 00:22:13,417 training again . Uh We'll review that 577 00:22:13,417 --> 00:22:15,194 so we go to Ashley for the last 578 00:22:15,194 --> 00:22:17,359 question back to India . Um Is there 579 00:22:17,369 --> 00:22:19,591 any early readouts that you can give us 580 00:22:19,591 --> 00:22:21,925 of agreements that have come into place , 581 00:22:21,925 --> 00:22:24,147 whether it's um , joint production of a 582 00:22:24,147 --> 00:22:26,369 jet fighter engine , um tech sharing or 583 00:22:26,369 --> 00:22:28,480 any other arrangements ? Uh I can't , 584 00:22:28,480 --> 00:22:30,313 um , you know , I know the , the 585 00:22:30,313 --> 00:22:32,313 president and uh the Prime Minister 586 00:22:32,313 --> 00:22:34,202 just met . So I'm , I'm confident 587 00:22:34,202 --> 00:22:35,869 there'll be readouts of their 588 00:22:35,869 --> 00:22:38,091 engagements here shortly . Um Certainly 589 00:22:38,091 --> 00:22:40,313 we'll , we'll take that question and if 590 00:22:40,313 --> 00:22:40,229 we have more to provide from the 591 00:22:40,239 --> 00:22:42,406 Pentagon , we'll , we'll send that out 592 00:22:42,406 --> 00:22:44,295 for you . Ok , thanks very much , 593 00:22:44,295 --> 00:22:44,140 everybody . I appreciate it .