1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:00,000 2 00:00:06,690 --> 00:00:08,746 well . Good morning everyone . Thank 3 00:00:08,746 --> 00:00:10,690 you for being here today . It's my 4 00:00:10,690 --> 00:00:12,634 pleasure to introduce Secretary of 5 00:00:12,634 --> 00:00:14,690 Defense Lloyd Austin the third . The 6 00:00:14,690 --> 00:00:16,690 secretary will deliver some opening 7 00:00:16,690 --> 00:00:18,746 remarks regarding today's release of 8 00:00:18,746 --> 00:00:18,640 the National Defense strategy and then 9 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:20,973 we'll have time to take a few questions . 10 00:00:20,973 --> 00:00:23,140 I'll be moderating those questions and 11 00:00:23,140 --> 00:00:25,362 we'll call on the journalists . I would 12 00:00:25,362 --> 00:00:25,110 ask that we please limit follow ups due 13 00:00:25,110 --> 00:00:27,332 to time constraints and appreciate your 14 00:00:27,332 --> 00:00:29,499 assistance with this Mr Secretary over 15 00:00:29,499 --> 00:00:31,570 to you sir . Thanks Patrick . Good 16 00:00:31,570 --> 00:00:34,550 morning everyone . At the outset , let 17 00:00:34,550 --> 00:00:36,717 me offer my deepest condolences to the 18 00:00:36,717 --> 00:00:39,930 carter family for the loss of Ash 19 00:00:39,930 --> 00:00:42,470 carter . As you know , he was a great 20 00:00:42,470 --> 00:00:46,090 patriot who contributed uh , 21 00:00:46,740 --> 00:00:49,620 in significant ways to this department 22 00:00:49,630 --> 00:00:51,352 and he will be sorely missed . 23 00:00:53,440 --> 00:00:55,496 As you all know . Back in March , we 24 00:00:55,496 --> 00:00:58,340 delivered our classified national 25 00:00:58,340 --> 00:01:01,330 defense strategy to Congress and since 26 00:01:01,330 --> 00:01:03,620 then , the NDS has been the 27 00:01:03,620 --> 00:01:06,670 department's North Star as we tackle 28 00:01:06,670 --> 00:01:08,820 this century's biggest security 29 00:01:08,820 --> 00:01:11,530 challenges . So I'm pleased to announce 30 00:01:11,530 --> 00:01:13,530 that the department is now publicly 31 00:01:13,530 --> 00:01:16,310 releasing our unclassified national 32 00:01:16,310 --> 00:01:19,480 defense strategy in this strategy nests 33 00:01:19,480 --> 00:01:22,080 beneath President biden's National 34 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:24,980 Security strategy , which was released 35 00:01:24,990 --> 00:01:27,520 earlier this month . I'd like to talk 36 00:01:27,520 --> 00:01:29,950 for a few minutes about how the NDS has 37 00:01:29,950 --> 00:01:32,570 shaped our work over the past seven 38 00:01:32,570 --> 00:01:36,140 months and how we continue to implement 39 00:01:36,140 --> 00:01:39,720 it going forward . The key theme of the 40 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,990 NDS is the need to sustain and 41 00:01:42,990 --> 00:01:45,800 strengthen us deterrence with the 42 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,600 People's Republic of china as our 43 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:51,830 pacing challenge as the President's 44 00:01:51,830 --> 00:01:54,830 National Security strategy notes the P . 45 00:01:54,830 --> 00:01:57,540 R . C . Is the only competitor out 46 00:01:57,540 --> 00:02:01,080 there with both the intent to reshape 47 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:03,230 the international order and 48 00:02:03,230 --> 00:02:07,200 increasingly the power to do so now my 49 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,311 team and I have been laser focused on 50 00:02:09,311 --> 00:02:12,000 this issue since day one , including 51 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:14,180 the china task force that I stood up , 52 00:02:14,190 --> 00:02:16,370 which produced a range of 53 00:02:16,370 --> 00:02:19,080 recommendations to focus the entire 54 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:22,110 department on the china challenge . At 55 00:02:22,110 --> 00:02:24,850 the same time , the NDS bluntly 56 00:02:24,860 --> 00:02:28,350 describes Russia as an acute threat 57 00:02:29,260 --> 00:02:31,482 and we chose the word acute carefully . 58 00:02:32,370 --> 00:02:33,926 Unlike china , Russia can't 59 00:02:33,926 --> 00:02:35,814 systemically challenge the United 60 00:02:35,814 --> 00:02:38,250 States over the long term . But Russian 61 00:02:38,250 --> 00:02:41,570 aggression does pose an immediate and 62 00:02:41,570 --> 00:02:44,390 sharp threat to our interests and 63 00:02:44,390 --> 00:02:47,940 values and Putin's reckless , reckless 64 00:02:47,940 --> 00:02:50,500 war of choice against Ukraine . The 65 00:02:50,500 --> 00:02:53,150 worst threat to european security since 66 00:02:53,150 --> 00:02:56,090 the end of World War Two has made that 67 00:02:56,100 --> 00:02:58,140 very clear for the whole world . 68 00:02:59,530 --> 00:03:02,690 Now , the NDS is also clear eyed about 69 00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:05,810 other serious threats and that includes 70 00:03:05,820 --> 00:03:08,210 North Korea's expanding nuclear and 71 00:03:08,210 --> 00:03:11,770 missile capabilities . And meanwhile 72 00:03:11,780 --> 00:03:14,380 Iran is moving ahead on its nuclear 73 00:03:14,380 --> 00:03:17,410 program , supporting dangerous armed 74 00:03:17,410 --> 00:03:20,560 proxies and even exporting drones that 75 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:24,370 Russia is using to terrorize Ukrainian 76 00:03:24,370 --> 00:03:27,960 civilians and we remain vigilant 77 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:30,127 against the ongoing threat from global 78 00:03:30,127 --> 00:03:32,120 terrorist networks as well as from 79 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:34,880 climate change pandemics and other 80 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:37,950 dangers that don't respect borders . 81 00:03:39,250 --> 00:03:43,180 So the NDS charges us too defend the U . 82 00:03:43,180 --> 00:03:46,800 S . Homeland to deter strategic attacks 83 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:48,689 against the United States and our 84 00:03:48,689 --> 00:03:50,920 allies and partners to prepare to 85 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:54,590 prevail in conflict when necessary and 86 00:03:54,590 --> 00:03:57,480 to build a resilient joint force and 87 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:00,950 defense ecosystem . So we've moved 88 00:04:00,950 --> 00:04:04,060 out under the nds in three main ways 89 00:04:05,450 --> 00:04:07,390 forging integrated deterrence 90 00:04:08,370 --> 00:04:12,030 campaigning in building enduring 91 00:04:12,030 --> 00:04:16,010 advantages . These three avenues 92 00:04:16,020 --> 00:04:19,170 inform all of our operations activities 93 00:04:19,170 --> 00:04:22,170 and investments . We're strengthening a 94 00:04:22,170 --> 00:04:24,500 21st century combat credible US 95 00:04:24,500 --> 00:04:27,440 military that will deter aggression 96 00:04:27,450 --> 00:04:29,450 that threatens the interests of the 97 00:04:29,450 --> 00:04:31,690 United States or our allies and 98 00:04:31,690 --> 00:04:35,230 partners . That means a military ready 99 00:04:35,230 --> 00:04:37,452 to tackle the full range of threats out 100 00:04:37,452 --> 00:04:40,390 there , harnessing the american spirit 101 00:04:40,390 --> 00:04:43,350 of innovation to meet the complexities 102 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:46,240 of today's world and first 103 00:04:47,590 --> 00:04:49,490 were seamlessly integrating our 104 00:04:49,490 --> 00:04:51,434 deterrence efforts to make a basic 105 00:04:51,434 --> 00:04:55,320 truth crystal clear to any 106 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:57,487 potential foe . And that truth is that 107 00:04:57,487 --> 00:05:00,800 the cost the cost of aggression against 108 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:02,744 the United States , our allies and 109 00:05:02,744 --> 00:05:06,250 partners far outweigh any conceivable 110 00:05:06,250 --> 00:05:08,840 gains . So we're aligning the 111 00:05:08,840 --> 00:05:11,280 department's operations activities and 112 00:05:11,280 --> 00:05:14,460 investments across all theaters 113 00:05:14,470 --> 00:05:17,020 across the full spectrum of conflict 114 00:05:17,580 --> 00:05:19,750 and across all domains , especially in 115 00:05:19,750 --> 00:05:23,460 space and cyberspace in space . 116 00:05:23,470 --> 00:05:25,770 We're working to field resilient 117 00:05:25,770 --> 00:05:28,390 satellite constellations , to dissuade 118 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:31,480 any adversary from testing our will and 119 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:34,460 to ensure that we will prevail if they 120 00:05:34,460 --> 00:05:37,950 try in the cyber realm . We're boosting 121 00:05:37,950 --> 00:05:39,783 our resilience and enhancing our 122 00:05:39,783 --> 00:05:41,617 capabilities to conduct military 123 00:05:41,617 --> 00:05:44,720 operations and meanwhile our nuclear 124 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:46,553 capabilities remain the ultimate 125 00:05:46,553 --> 00:05:49,640 backstop for our strategic deterrence 126 00:05:50,420 --> 00:05:52,642 and that's why we're fully committed to 127 00:05:52,642 --> 00:05:54,780 modernizing all three legs of our 128 00:05:54,780 --> 00:05:58,150 nuclear triad . Now , let me note here 129 00:05:58,160 --> 00:06:00,280 that this is the first time in the 130 00:06:00,280 --> 00:06:02,970 department's history that we conducted 131 00:06:02,980 --> 00:06:05,500 all of our major strategic reviews 132 00:06:05,510 --> 00:06:09,050 together . That means the nDS the 133 00:06:09,050 --> 00:06:11,560 nuclear posture review and the missile 134 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,800 defense review . The nuclear posture 135 00:06:14,800 --> 00:06:17,520 review reaffirms that as long as 136 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:20,420 nuclear weapons exist , the fundamental 137 00:06:20,420 --> 00:06:23,020 role of U . S . Nuclear weapons is to 138 00:06:23,020 --> 00:06:24,964 deter nuclear attack on the United 139 00:06:24,964 --> 00:06:27,890 States , our allies and our partners . 140 00:06:28,740 --> 00:06:30,940 Meanwhile the Missile Defense review 141 00:06:30,950 --> 00:06:33,280 underscores that missile defense 142 00:06:33,280 --> 00:06:36,290 contributes to integrated deterrence by 143 00:06:36,290 --> 00:06:39,120 undermining a potential foes confidence 144 00:06:39,130 --> 00:06:41,660 in its ability to amount a successful 145 00:06:41,660 --> 00:06:44,050 attack . And so by weaving these 146 00:06:44,050 --> 00:06:47,020 documents together , we help ensure 147 00:06:47,020 --> 00:06:49,890 that the entire department is moving 148 00:06:49,890 --> 00:06:52,490 forward together and matching our 149 00:06:52,490 --> 00:06:55,260 resources to our goals . Now the 150 00:06:55,260 --> 00:06:57,620 strength and combat credibility of the 151 00:06:57,620 --> 00:07:00,800 joint force remains central to 152 00:07:00,800 --> 00:07:04,260 integrated turns And that's why our 153 00:07:04,260 --> 00:07:07,890 fiscal year 23 budget request Included 154 00:07:07,890 --> 00:07:10,200 more than $56 billion dollars for air 155 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:13,310 power platforms and systems And more 156 00:07:13,310 --> 00:07:15,920 than $40 billion dollars to maintain 157 00:07:15,920 --> 00:07:18,980 our dominance at sea And almost $13 158 00:07:18,980 --> 00:07:19,980 billion 159 00:07:19,980 --> 00:07:23,710 $34 160 00:07:23,710 --> 00:07:25,432 billion dollars to sustain and 161 00:07:25,432 --> 00:07:28,590 modernize our nuclear forces . But 162 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:31,450 integrated deterrence isn't just about 163 00:07:31,460 --> 00:07:34,170 the steps that we take on our own . It 164 00:07:34,170 --> 00:07:36,620 also means working even more closely 165 00:07:36,620 --> 00:07:38,920 with our unparalleled network of allies 166 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:42,000 and partners to deter aggression in 167 00:07:42,000 --> 00:07:44,570 region after region . In the indo 168 00:07:44,570 --> 00:07:46,750 pacific you see the power of 169 00:07:46,750 --> 00:07:49,810 partnership with the historic Aucas 170 00:07:49,820 --> 00:07:52,610 agreement with our trilateral 171 00:07:52,610 --> 00:07:56,610 cooperation with Japan and Korea and 172 00:07:57,260 --> 00:08:00,190 with our many multinational exercises 173 00:08:00,190 --> 00:08:02,120 to increase readiness and 174 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:06,020 interoperability in europe . You see it 175 00:08:06,020 --> 00:08:09,670 with a united and resolute NATO and 176 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:11,847 with the extraordinary coordination of 177 00:08:11,847 --> 00:08:14,013 some 50 members of the Ukraine Defense 178 00:08:14,013 --> 00:08:17,470 contact group that we created to stand 179 00:08:17,470 --> 00:08:20,430 up for Ukraine's self defense and in 180 00:08:20,430 --> 00:08:23,320 the Middle East and Africa and latin 181 00:08:23,320 --> 00:08:26,390 America . You see it in our efforts to 182 00:08:26,390 --> 00:08:29,290 bolster our allies and partners and 183 00:08:29,290 --> 00:08:31,100 improve interoperability and 184 00:08:31,110 --> 00:08:32,890 integration wherever possible . 185 00:08:35,010 --> 00:08:38,030 Second , the N . D . S emphasizes the 186 00:08:38,030 --> 00:08:41,400 day to day work of campaigning and that 187 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:43,240 means conducting and sequencing 188 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:45,900 military activities that over time 189 00:08:45,900 --> 00:08:48,020 shift the security environment in our 190 00:08:48,020 --> 00:08:51,840 favor and it means working to limit and 191 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:54,460 disrupt malign activities by our 192 00:08:54,460 --> 00:08:57,290 competitors . So we're building and 193 00:08:57,300 --> 00:08:59,780 exercising the forces that will need in 194 00:08:59,780 --> 00:09:02,480 a crisis or conflict including 195 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:05,340 requesting $135 billion dollars in last 196 00:09:05,340 --> 00:09:07,890 year's budget to further invest in our 197 00:09:07,890 --> 00:09:10,780 readiness . We've updated our posture 198 00:09:10,780 --> 00:09:12,780 in the indo pacific to make it more 199 00:09:12,780 --> 00:09:16,040 survivable against aggression . And 200 00:09:16,040 --> 00:09:19,290 with Aucas were putting campaigning 201 00:09:19,290 --> 00:09:22,750 into action by linking our cutting edge 202 00:09:22,760 --> 00:09:25,870 capabilities with robust military 203 00:09:25,870 --> 00:09:29,160 exercises alongside our allies . 204 00:09:30,750 --> 00:09:33,830 And third , we're building enduring 205 00:09:33,830 --> 00:09:35,886 advantages to further strengthen the 206 00:09:35,886 --> 00:09:38,430 foundations of the defense enterprise 207 00:09:39,350 --> 00:09:42,800 and innovation . Is central here . Last 208 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:45,050 year for instance we established the 209 00:09:45,050 --> 00:09:47,530 rapid defense experimentation reserve 210 00:09:48,340 --> 00:09:50,284 which funds different parts of the 211 00:09:50,284 --> 00:09:52,284 department to work together to fill 212 00:09:52,284 --> 00:09:55,290 critical joint warfighting gaps in our 213 00:09:55,290 --> 00:09:58,070 fiscal year 23 budget request included 214 00:09:58,070 --> 00:10:00,880 more than 100 and $30 billion for 215 00:10:00,880 --> 00:10:03,240 research , development , testing and 216 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:05,600 evaluation . Now that's the largest R . 217 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:07,580 And D budget number in D . O . D . 218 00:10:07,580 --> 00:10:10,850 History . We're also working in new 219 00:10:10,850 --> 00:10:13,180 ways with our industry partners 220 00:10:13,190 --> 00:10:15,410 including by strengthening our supply 221 00:10:15,410 --> 00:10:18,380 chains in our defense industrial base . 222 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:21,080 The department is also tackling the 223 00:10:21,080 --> 00:10:23,080 dangers of climate change including 224 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:25,540 ensuring that our military can continue 225 00:10:25,540 --> 00:10:28,650 to operate superbly and hotter and 226 00:10:28,650 --> 00:10:32,470 harsher environments and above all 227 00:10:32,720 --> 00:10:34,830 the N . D . S . Demands even deeper 228 00:10:34,830 --> 00:10:38,760 investments in our people . They will 229 00:10:38,770 --> 00:10:40,800 always be this department's most 230 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:43,810 valuable resource in the bedrock of 231 00:10:43,810 --> 00:10:46,470 american security . And that's why the 232 00:10:46,470 --> 00:10:49,870 president's budget includes a 4.6% pay 233 00:10:49,870 --> 00:10:52,770 raise for service members starting 234 00:10:52,770 --> 00:10:56,290 January 1 , 2023 . And that's why I've 235 00:10:56,290 --> 00:10:58,290 recently directed the department to 236 00:10:58,290 --> 00:11:00,346 ease the strains that can come along 237 00:11:00,346 --> 00:11:02,568 with service . And that includes making 238 00:11:02,568 --> 00:11:05,120 it easier to secure housing and to move 239 00:11:05,120 --> 00:11:07,800 to new duty stations to get superb 240 00:11:07,800 --> 00:11:10,940 childcare and to help military spouses 241 00:11:10,950 --> 00:11:13,600 advance their own exceptional careers . 242 00:11:15,330 --> 00:11:18,410 You know , our outstanding service 243 00:11:18,410 --> 00:11:21,080 members and their families do 244 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:25,010 everything that we ask of them and more 245 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:27,930 doing right by them is a national 246 00:11:27,930 --> 00:11:31,350 security imperative . And it's a sacred 247 00:11:31,350 --> 00:11:34,710 trust . So we're looking forward to 248 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,030 working with Congress to secure on time 249 00:11:37,030 --> 00:11:40,070 appropriations to finalize this year's 250 00:11:40,070 --> 00:11:42,420 National Defense authorization act . 251 00:11:42,430 --> 00:11:44,680 And to continue to implement the 252 00:11:44,680 --> 00:11:47,920 strategy and as the president has said , 253 00:11:48,130 --> 00:11:50,880 we will not leave our future vulnerable 254 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:53,130 to the whims of those who do not share 255 00:11:53,140 --> 00:11:56,330 our vision for a world that is free , 256 00:11:56,350 --> 00:12:00,060 open , prosperous and secure and we're 257 00:12:00,060 --> 00:12:02,110 confident that we've got the right 258 00:12:02,110 --> 00:12:04,240 defense strategy to tackle the 259 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:06,590 challenges ahead and to defend the 260 00:12:06,590 --> 00:12:09,180 american people and to strengthen our 261 00:12:09,180 --> 00:12:12,270 outstanding all volunteer force and to 262 00:12:12,270 --> 00:12:14,530 safeguard the democratic values that 263 00:12:14,530 --> 00:12:18,090 are the soul of America . Thank you . 264 00:12:18,090 --> 00:12:20,146 And I'll be glad to take a couple of 265 00:12:20,146 --> 00:12:22,312 questions . Thank you . Mr Secretary . 266 00:12:22,312 --> 00:12:24,257 Go ahead and start with Associated 267 00:12:24,257 --> 00:12:27,980 Press Mr Secretary as Russia's 268 00:12:28,060 --> 00:12:30,910 invasion of Ukraine continues and it 269 00:12:30,910 --> 00:12:33,460 sustains continued conventional losses . 270 00:12:33,470 --> 00:12:35,710 Are you becoming more concerned that it 271 00:12:35,710 --> 00:12:38,010 might be likelier to resort to a 272 00:12:38,010 --> 00:12:41,050 tactical nuclear weapon as Putin has 273 00:12:41,050 --> 00:12:44,260 suggested ? And secondly , how can the 274 00:12:44,260 --> 00:12:46,590 U . S . And kind of this new security 275 00:12:46,590 --> 00:12:49,550 construct prevent nuclear conflict from 276 00:12:49,550 --> 00:12:51,980 escalating , prevent Russia from using 277 00:12:51,980 --> 00:12:54,091 a nuclear a tactical nuclear weapon ? 278 00:12:54,091 --> 00:12:57,120 While as your own strategy said also 279 00:12:57,150 --> 00:12:59,550 possibly deter china from its own 280 00:12:59,550 --> 00:13:02,330 nuclear ambitions . So are we concerned 281 00:13:02,330 --> 00:13:05,660 about escalation ? We are certainly 282 00:13:05,660 --> 00:13:07,716 concerned about escalation . We have 283 00:13:07,716 --> 00:13:09,938 been so from the very beginning of this 284 00:13:09,938 --> 00:13:11,938 conflict . And uh and that's why we 285 00:13:11,938 --> 00:13:13,827 believe that it's important to uh 286 00:13:13,827 --> 00:13:16,290 communicate with our with our allies 287 00:13:16,290 --> 00:13:18,260 and partners and also with our 288 00:13:18,260 --> 00:13:21,710 adversaries . And as long as we have uh 289 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:25,320 the channels of communication open uh 290 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:28,970 and we and we're able to communicate um 291 00:13:29,550 --> 00:13:31,690 you know what what's important to us 292 00:13:31,870 --> 00:13:34,970 and I think we have an opportunity to 293 00:13:34,970 --> 00:13:37,192 manage escalation . So that concern has 294 00:13:37,192 --> 00:13:39,359 been there from the very beginning and 295 00:13:39,359 --> 00:13:42,240 will remain cited on this going forward 296 00:13:42,820 --> 00:13:44,764 is the introduction of potentially 297 00:13:44,764 --> 00:13:47,430 using a tactical nuke enter a new era 298 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:51,010 of nuclear deterrence . Well , I mean , 299 00:13:51,010 --> 00:13:54,170 it would be The first time that a 300 00:13:54,170 --> 00:13:56,690 nuclear weapon has been used in over 70 301 00:13:56,690 --> 00:13:59,690 years . So that certainly has the 302 00:13:59,690 --> 00:14:01,690 potential of changing things in the 303 00:14:01,690 --> 00:14:03,900 international community . So this is 304 00:14:03,900 --> 00:14:05,789 the thing that I think if if this 305 00:14:05,789 --> 00:14:08,530 happened , uh we have been very clear 306 00:14:08,530 --> 00:14:10,697 from the very beginning that you would 307 00:14:10,697 --> 00:14:13,860 see a very significant response from 308 00:14:13,860 --> 00:14:16,010 the international community . So this 309 00:14:16,010 --> 00:14:18,066 is important to the , to the world . 310 00:14:18,066 --> 00:14:21,230 And uh and again , we remain focused on 311 00:14:21,230 --> 00:14:23,008 making sure that we're gonna do 312 00:14:23,008 --> 00:14:25,174 everything that we can help Ukraine uh 313 00:14:25,174 --> 00:14:28,470 to uh to defend its uh its sovereign 314 00:14:28,470 --> 00:14:30,360 territory . Uh and we're going to 315 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:32,810 continue to communicate that uh any 316 00:14:32,810 --> 00:14:36,170 type of use of a weapon of that sort or 317 00:14:36,170 --> 00:14:39,160 even the talk of the use of a weapon of 318 00:14:39,160 --> 00:14:41,170 that sort is dangerous and 319 00:14:41,170 --> 00:14:44,020 irresponsible . So , let's go ahead and 320 00:14:44,020 --> 00:14:47,860 go to uh Griffin , Secretary 321 00:14:47,860 --> 00:14:51,010 Austin Vladimir Putin again said today 322 00:14:51,010 --> 00:14:53,550 that Ukraine is planning to use a bomb 323 00:14:53,560 --> 00:14:56,130 is Putin bluffing . And how does 324 00:14:56,130 --> 00:14:58,352 scrapping one of the few tactical nukes 325 00:14:58,352 --> 00:15:00,352 that was in development here in the 326 00:15:00,352 --> 00:15:03,010 pentagon deter Putin right now ? 327 00:15:04,300 --> 00:15:08,010 Um , we have not seen 328 00:15:08,010 --> 00:15:10,040 anything to indicate that Putin has 329 00:15:10,040 --> 00:15:13,580 made a decision to use a bomb , nor 330 00:15:13,590 --> 00:15:17,580 have we seen any indications that uh 331 00:15:17,590 --> 00:15:20,610 that the Ukrainians are planning such a 332 00:15:20,610 --> 00:15:22,721 thing . Ukrainians have in fact their 333 00:15:22,721 --> 00:15:24,777 leadership have indicated to us that 334 00:15:24,777 --> 00:15:28,050 that's not in their plans . So , um , 335 00:15:29,150 --> 00:15:32,540 you know , again , again , um , we've 336 00:15:32,540 --> 00:15:34,484 seen no indications of that . It's 337 00:15:34,484 --> 00:15:36,373 important to make sure that we're 338 00:15:36,373 --> 00:15:38,850 talking to uh , adversaries and allies 339 00:15:38,850 --> 00:15:41,480 alike and making sure that that were 340 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:45,160 were tamping down um , dangerous talk 341 00:15:45,170 --> 00:15:47,110 and uh , and making sure that we 342 00:15:47,110 --> 00:15:49,840 maintain lines of communication , open 343 00:15:49,850 --> 00:15:53,600 the scrapping the tactical nukes C C 344 00:15:53,600 --> 00:15:56,760 based launch missile . Why do that now ? 345 00:15:56,770 --> 00:15:59,100 Isn't that sending a dangerous message 346 00:15:59,110 --> 00:16:01,221 when you're trying to deter Putin and 347 00:16:01,221 --> 00:16:04,670 china , jen ? We as you know , we have 348 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:07,640 our inventory of nuclear weapons is 349 00:16:07,650 --> 00:16:11,520 significant . And so , uh , we 350 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:13,930 determined as we looked at our 351 00:16:13,930 --> 00:16:16,780 inventory that uh , that , you know , 352 00:16:16,780 --> 00:16:19,080 we did not need that capability . We 353 00:16:19,080 --> 00:16:21,302 have a lot of capability in our nuclear 354 00:16:21,302 --> 00:16:23,247 inventory . And I don't think this 355 00:16:23,247 --> 00:16:25,080 sends any message to Putin , he 356 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:27,136 understands what our capability is . 357 00:16:27,136 --> 00:16:30,590 And uh , and so , you know , we will 358 00:16:30,590 --> 00:16:32,930 continue to move forward . Let's go 359 00:16:32,930 --> 00:16:35,550 ahead and go to Mr Secretary You said 360 00:16:35,550 --> 00:16:37,161 repeatedly and others in the 361 00:16:37,161 --> 00:16:39,439 administration have , and also in NATO , 362 00:16:39,439 --> 00:16:41,494 that it's up to Ukraine to determine 363 00:16:41,494 --> 00:16:43,717 how the war ends . It's their country . 364 00:16:43,717 --> 00:16:45,661 Now , President Zelensky and other 365 00:16:45,661 --> 00:16:47,828 Ukrainian officials have said they aim 366 00:16:47,828 --> 00:16:50,050 to push all the Russians out of Ukraine 367 00:16:50,050 --> 00:16:52,106 not only in the East and the South , 368 00:16:52,106 --> 00:16:54,161 but Crimea as well . Now you talk to 369 00:16:54,161 --> 00:16:56,383 Ukrainian officials repeatedly , you're 370 00:16:56,383 --> 00:16:58,217 an expert on ground warfare as a 371 00:16:58,217 --> 00:17:00,450 retired Four Star , is it realistic to 372 00:17:00,450 --> 00:17:03,460 think that Ukraine can push all Russian 373 00:17:03,460 --> 00:17:05,516 soldiers out of the entire country , 374 00:17:05,516 --> 00:17:09,340 including Crimea ? Well , tom that's uh 375 00:17:09,350 --> 00:17:11,350 when you when you think about where 376 00:17:11,350 --> 00:17:14,400 Ukraine is today , um there are not 377 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,456 many people in the world who thought 378 00:17:16,456 --> 00:17:18,289 that they would be in this place 379 00:17:18,289 --> 00:17:20,400 because they , you know , if you look 380 00:17:20,400 --> 00:17:23,240 at the capability that Russia has uh 381 00:17:23,250 --> 00:17:25,180 you know , a raid against what 382 00:17:25,190 --> 00:17:27,357 initially what the Ukrainians had , uh 383 00:17:27,357 --> 00:17:29,579 most people thought it was not possible 384 00:17:29,579 --> 00:17:32,750 to be where we are today . So in terms 385 00:17:32,750 --> 00:17:34,861 of speculating on what the Ukrainians 386 00:17:34,861 --> 00:17:38,290 are , are capable of , I think , you 387 00:17:38,290 --> 00:17:40,346 know , I wouldn't I wouldn't want to 388 00:17:40,346 --> 00:17:42,457 speculate on that . I think they have 389 00:17:42,457 --> 00:17:44,623 exceeded most people's expectations uh 390 00:17:44,623 --> 00:17:46,846 and they've done that because we in the 391 00:17:46,846 --> 00:17:48,846 international community have really 392 00:17:48,846 --> 00:17:51,930 worked hard and been very moved very 393 00:17:51,930 --> 00:17:54,080 quickly to provide them with the 394 00:17:54,080 --> 00:17:56,930 capability that they need to defend 395 00:17:56,930 --> 00:17:58,986 their sovereign territory . And they 396 00:17:58,986 --> 00:18:01,097 have employed it very very well uh in 397 00:18:01,097 --> 00:18:03,440 terms of their objectives , tom i uh 398 00:18:03,450 --> 00:18:06,600 again , uh Ukrainians must outline 399 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:08,822 their objectives . We won't do that for 400 00:18:08,822 --> 00:18:11,040 them . Uh And uh and again they are 401 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:14,140 fighting for the defense uh fighting to 402 00:18:14,140 --> 00:18:16,196 defend their sovereign territory and 403 00:18:16,196 --> 00:18:18,418 we're going to continue to support them 404 00:18:18,418 --> 00:18:20,473 for as long as it takes . Again , we 405 00:18:20,473 --> 00:18:22,584 keep asking you this , the long range 406 00:18:22,584 --> 00:18:24,640 missile systems . The attack comes , 407 00:18:24,640 --> 00:18:26,807 they still want those you're unwilling 408 00:18:26,807 --> 00:18:29,029 to give them those will that change now 409 00:18:29,029 --> 00:18:28,790 that Russia is basically taking out 410 00:18:28,790 --> 00:18:32,180 their grid system . Tom it's 411 00:18:32,190 --> 00:18:35,800 uh the Ukrainians can service just 412 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:37,856 about every target that they want to 413 00:18:37,856 --> 00:18:40,530 service using the the the Gamblers 414 00:18:40,540 --> 00:18:42,707 missiles that they've been employing . 415 00:18:42,707 --> 00:18:44,818 Uh and so they have what they need to 416 00:18:44,818 --> 00:18:46,929 be successful , they're putting it to 417 00:18:46,929 --> 00:18:49,380 good use uh and uh and so we're going 418 00:18:49,380 --> 00:18:51,602 to continue to do those things that are 419 00:18:51,602 --> 00:18:53,658 that are working for us on uh on the 420 00:18:53,658 --> 00:18:55,324 battlefield , working for the 421 00:18:55,324 --> 00:18:57,658 Ukrainians on the battlefield right now , 422 00:18:57,658 --> 00:18:59,824 what they need more than anything else 423 00:18:59,824 --> 00:18:59,350 tom as you know , is air defense 424 00:18:59,350 --> 00:19:02,560 capability . And so as we had our last 425 00:19:02,570 --> 00:19:04,792 Ukraine defense contact group meeting , 426 00:19:04,792 --> 00:19:07,170 we really emphasize this and uh some of 427 00:19:07,170 --> 00:19:09,230 the countries have stepped up right 428 00:19:09,230 --> 00:19:11,940 away and provided capability . We have 429 00:19:11,940 --> 00:19:13,940 been pressing hard to get them in a 430 00:19:13,940 --> 00:19:15,970 SAM's capability . Uh and we expect 431 00:19:15,970 --> 00:19:18,940 that in the next uh early next month 432 00:19:18,940 --> 00:19:21,162 we'll be able to get the capability and 433 00:19:21,162 --> 00:19:23,700 train and train troops married up there 434 00:19:23,710 --> 00:19:26,470 in Ukraine , no announcements to make 435 00:19:26,470 --> 00:19:28,810 here today but but we're pressing hard 436 00:19:28,810 --> 00:19:30,754 to get that capability in . We saw 437 00:19:30,754 --> 00:19:33,560 spain step forward and and provide hawk 438 00:19:33,570 --> 00:19:36,660 uh anti aircraft capability 439 00:19:36,670 --> 00:19:40,640 uh Air defense capability . Excuse me . 440 00:19:40,650 --> 00:19:42,780 And uh and that was commendable . We 441 00:19:42,780 --> 00:19:44,947 got now have to get the troops trained 442 00:19:44,947 --> 00:19:47,169 on on the hawk system and we're working 443 00:19:47,169 --> 00:19:49,169 on that and we continue to press to 444 00:19:49,169 --> 00:19:52,250 make sure that uh um where possible 445 00:19:52,260 --> 00:19:54,482 countries provide as much capability in 446 00:19:54,482 --> 00:19:57,150 terms of air defense as quickly as they 447 00:19:57,150 --> 00:20:00,050 can to support Ukraine . Okay , give it 448 00:20:00,050 --> 00:20:03,270 to Megan military times . What changes 449 00:20:03,270 --> 00:20:05,381 does this N . D . S call for in terms 450 00:20:05,381 --> 00:20:08,190 of force structure . Either manpower 451 00:20:08,190 --> 00:20:10,390 levels overall or or where they're 452 00:20:10,390 --> 00:20:12,279 postured around the world , where 453 00:20:12,279 --> 00:20:14,223 troops need to be around the world 454 00:20:14,223 --> 00:20:17,490 whether that's increasing or or 455 00:20:17,490 --> 00:20:19,434 stabilizing this 100,000 number in 456 00:20:19,434 --> 00:20:21,657 europe , something like that . And what 457 00:20:21,657 --> 00:20:23,823 are your concerns about the recruiting 458 00:20:23,823 --> 00:20:25,768 environment and being able to meet 459 00:20:25,768 --> 00:20:27,546 those needs going forward ? I'm 460 00:20:27,546 --> 00:20:27,430 confident that we'll have the force 461 00:20:27,430 --> 00:20:30,590 Megan to to execute our strategy . 462 00:20:30,730 --> 00:20:33,580 And in terms of our force posture , we 463 00:20:33,580 --> 00:20:35,580 went through a force posture review 464 00:20:35,580 --> 00:20:37,691 very early on . There are incremental 465 00:20:37,691 --> 00:20:39,858 adjustments , adjustments from time to 466 00:20:39,858 --> 00:20:41,858 time to that force posture lay down 467 00:20:41,858 --> 00:20:45,350 that we provided . Uh and again um we 468 00:20:45,350 --> 00:20:47,700 have the ability to rapidly deploy 469 00:20:47,700 --> 00:20:50,820 capability to uh to europe . Uh And you 470 00:20:50,820 --> 00:20:53,410 saw that exercise uh at the very 471 00:20:53,410 --> 00:20:55,243 beginning of this conflict as we 472 00:20:55,243 --> 00:20:57,680 deployed forces from heavy forces armed 473 00:20:57,680 --> 00:21:00,980 forces from the United States uh to uh 474 00:21:00,990 --> 00:21:03,890 to europe very very quickly we could do 475 00:21:03,890 --> 00:21:06,001 that because of the things that we've 476 00:21:06,001 --> 00:21:07,770 done with the european defense 477 00:21:07,770 --> 00:21:10,460 initiative uh and we we 478 00:21:10,630 --> 00:21:14,330 established preposition equipment sites 479 00:21:14,340 --> 00:21:16,229 that troops could fall in on very 480 00:21:16,229 --> 00:21:18,451 quickly . And so those things that have 481 00:21:18,451 --> 00:21:20,562 worked out very very well for us . Uh 482 00:21:20,562 --> 00:21:22,618 We're confident that we'll have that 483 00:21:22,618 --> 00:21:24,673 that we have the force to be able to 484 00:21:24,673 --> 00:21:27,090 execute our strategy and in terms of 485 00:21:27,100 --> 00:21:30,890 recruiting we continue to focus on this 486 00:21:30,890 --> 00:21:32,890 issue . This is a priority for me . 487 00:21:32,890 --> 00:21:34,890 It's also a priority for all of our 488 00:21:34,890 --> 00:21:37,112 service leaders . And so we continue to 489 00:21:37,112 --> 00:21:39,880 invest in those things that uh and that 490 00:21:39,880 --> 00:21:43,270 will allow us to recruit the best um 491 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:46,440 talent that's out there uh to uh to man 492 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:49,310 this incredible force . So , time for 493 00:21:49,310 --> 00:21:51,590 about one more . Go to eric Schmidt new 494 00:21:51,590 --> 00:21:55,260 York Times said Vladimir Putin used a 495 00:21:55,260 --> 00:21:57,204 tactical weapon , nuclear weapon . 496 00:21:57,204 --> 00:21:59,093 There would be a very significant 497 00:21:59,093 --> 00:22:00,871 response from the international 498 00:22:00,871 --> 00:22:03,149 community in your professional opinion . 499 00:22:03,149 --> 00:22:05,371 Would a military response by the United 500 00:22:05,371 --> 00:22:07,371 States be a prudent action or would 501 00:22:07,371 --> 00:22:09,371 that only continue to climb up this 502 00:22:09,371 --> 00:22:11,427 letter of escalation ? Well , eric I 503 00:22:11,427 --> 00:22:13,970 won't get into any potential responses 504 00:22:13,970 --> 00:22:15,859 here . I'm the guy that makes the 505 00:22:15,859 --> 00:22:18,081 recommendation to my boss on on what we 506 00:22:18,081 --> 00:22:20,192 should do and uh and how we should do 507 00:22:20,192 --> 00:22:23,470 it . And so I'll make sure that that he 508 00:22:23,470 --> 00:22:27,380 has um credible 509 00:22:27,390 --> 00:22:30,090 um responses that are that are actually 510 00:22:30,090 --> 00:22:32,257 effective and in terms of what we want 511 00:22:32,257 --> 00:22:34,960 to do and uh as we always have uh and 512 00:22:34,960 --> 00:22:37,970 so I'll just leave it at that , Ladies 513 00:22:37,970 --> 00:22:40,137 and gentlemen , that's all the time we 514 00:22:40,137 --> 00:22:42,370 have available for us today . Secretary 515 00:22:42,370 --> 00:22:44,426 Austin , thank you very much , sir , 516 00:22:44,426 --> 00:22:46,314 Thank you on the Russia strategic 517 00:22:46,650 --> 00:22:48,706 exercise . Is there any concern that 518 00:22:48,706 --> 00:22:50,872 that could be a cover for a strike , a 519 00:22:50,872 --> 00:22:53,094 nuclear strike inside Ukraine . Are you 520 00:22:53,094 --> 00:22:55,261 confident that that's not what this is 521 00:22:55,261 --> 00:22:58,150 something we continue to watch . And we 522 00:22:58,150 --> 00:23:00,206 haven't seen anything to cause us to 523 00:23:00,206 --> 00:23:02,372 believe at this point , that that that 524 00:23:02,372 --> 00:23:03,690 is some kind of cover activity .