1 00:00:00,759 --> 00:00:04,289 Good afternoon , everyone . Just a few 2 00:00:04,300 --> 00:00:06,356 things at the top and then we'll get 3 00:00:06,356 --> 00:00:08,411 right to your questions . So just to 4 00:00:08,411 --> 00:00:10,578 recap , as you know , Secretary Austin 5 00:00:10,578 --> 00:00:12,800 traveled to Fort Bragg , North Carolina 6 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:15,022 on Friday to visit with service members 7 00:00:15,022 --> 00:00:17,370 dod civilians and their families and to 8 00:00:17,379 --> 00:00:19,379 thank them for what they do for our 9 00:00:19,379 --> 00:00:21,435 country and to learn about what's on 10 00:00:21,435 --> 00:00:23,657 their minds as the home of the airborne 11 00:00:23,657 --> 00:00:25,657 and special operations forces . The 12 00:00:25,657 --> 00:00:27,712 base is one of our nation's foremost 13 00:00:27,712 --> 00:00:29,657 power projection platforms and the 14 00:00:29,657 --> 00:00:31,546 joint force at Fort Bragg and the 15 00:00:31,546 --> 00:00:33,879 families and community who support them , 16 00:00:33,879 --> 00:00:36,046 represent a critical national security 17 00:00:36,046 --> 00:00:38,046 asset and an important war fighting 18 00:00:38,046 --> 00:00:39,900 capability . During his visit , 19 00:00:39,909 --> 00:00:42,076 Secretary Austin met with soldiers and 20 00:00:42,076 --> 00:00:43,853 families from the 82nd Airborne 21 00:00:43,853 --> 00:00:46,790 Division visited Hampton primary school 22 00:00:46,799 --> 00:00:48,966 which is part of the the department of 23 00:00:48,966 --> 00:00:50,910 Defense school system . Spoke with 24 00:00:50,910 --> 00:00:53,132 troops in the third brigade combat team 25 00:00:53,132 --> 00:00:55,299 of the 82nd Airborne Division where he 26 00:00:55,299 --> 00:00:57,466 previously served as brigade commander 27 00:00:57,466 --> 00:00:59,688 and met with army and Air Force R O T C 28 00:00:59,688 --> 00:01:01,410 students at Fayetteville State 29 00:01:01,410 --> 00:01:03,970 University . During his discussions , 30 00:01:03,979 --> 00:01:06,090 the secretary emphasized how proud he 31 00:01:06,090 --> 00:01:08,370 is of our service members dod civilians 32 00:01:08,379 --> 00:01:10,323 and their families for all they're 33 00:01:10,323 --> 00:01:12,059 doing to defend our nation and 34 00:01:12,069 --> 00:01:14,180 highlighted his continuing commitment 35 00:01:14,180 --> 00:01:16,236 to supporting our troops through the 36 00:01:16,236 --> 00:01:18,180 department's taking care of people 37 00:01:18,180 --> 00:01:20,389 initiatives . On Saturday , Secretary 38 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,389 Austin then delivered the keynote 39 00:01:22,400 --> 00:01:24,519 address during Fayetteville State 40 00:01:24,529 --> 00:01:26,473 University's commencement where he 41 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:28,591 discussed the value of service to the 42 00:01:28,591 --> 00:01:30,480 nation and the impact that public 43 00:01:30,480 --> 00:01:32,313 service can have both inside and 44 00:01:32,313 --> 00:01:34,536 outside of the military . The speech is 45 00:01:34,536 --> 00:01:36,702 posted to the dod website on a related 46 00:01:36,702 --> 00:01:38,536 note , I can announce today that 47 00:01:38,536 --> 00:01:40,424 Secretary Austin will deliver the 48 00:01:40,424 --> 00:01:42,480 commencement address at the US Naval 49 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:44,702 Academy's 2023 commencement ceremony in 50 00:01:44,702 --> 00:01:46,536 Annapolis scheduled for May 26 . 51 00:01:47,279 --> 00:01:49,223 Separately , Secretary Austin will 52 00:01:49,223 --> 00:01:50,890 brief the Senate Committee on 53 00:01:50,890 --> 00:01:52,612 appropriations tomorrow on the 54 00:01:52,612 --> 00:01:54,501 president's fiscal year 24 budget 55 00:01:54,501 --> 00:01:56,930 request as it pertains to investing in 56 00:01:56,940 --> 00:01:59,760 us security competitiveness and the 57 00:01:59,769 --> 00:02:01,325 path ahead for the US China 58 00:02:01,325 --> 00:02:03,870 relationship . Secretary Austin will 59 00:02:03,879 --> 00:02:05,935 join Secretary Blinken and Secretary 60 00:02:05,935 --> 00:02:08,046 Raymundo to speak on the department's 61 00:02:08,046 --> 00:02:09,990 efforts to address the PRC pacing 62 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:12,449 challenge in lockstep with our partners 63 00:02:12,460 --> 00:02:14,293 across the administration and in 64 00:02:14,293 --> 00:02:16,660 Congress as well as in cooperation with 65 00:02:16,669 --> 00:02:18,891 our international allies and partners . 66 00:02:18,979 --> 00:02:21,201 The secretary looks forward to briefing 67 00:02:21,201 --> 00:02:22,868 congressional members on this 68 00:02:22,868 --> 00:02:25,070 critically important topic . Switching 69 00:02:25,080 --> 00:02:27,191 gears . The Department of Defense and 70 00:02:27,191 --> 00:02:28,970 National Telecommunications and 71 00:02:28,979 --> 00:02:31,460 Information Administration have jointly 72 00:02:31,470 --> 00:02:33,699 expressed our support for a state 73 00:02:33,710 --> 00:02:35,949 department proposal delivered last week 74 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:37,182 to the Inter American 75 00:02:37,182 --> 00:02:39,839 Telecommunications Commission or Cel 76 00:02:40,119 --> 00:02:42,949 which calls for opening the 3300 to 77 00:02:42,960 --> 00:02:45,699 3400 megahertz band for five G mobile 78 00:02:45,710 --> 00:02:48,160 services within the Americas region . 79 00:02:48,809 --> 00:02:50,865 By state departments submitting this 80 00:02:50,865 --> 00:02:53,087 proposal . The US government is seeking 81 00:02:53,087 --> 00:02:55,031 to protect critical operations and 82 00:02:55,031 --> 00:02:58,580 capabilities while also use of the 3334 83 00:02:58,589 --> 00:03:00,880 100 mega band or megahertz band for 84 00:03:00,889 --> 00:03:03,380 five G mobile services by countries 85 00:03:03,389 --> 00:03:05,699 that wish to do so . The proposal will 86 00:03:05,710 --> 00:03:07,710 be discussed during seat's upcoming 87 00:03:07,710 --> 00:03:09,619 meeting in Mexico City on May 22 88 00:03:10,529 --> 00:03:12,830 electromagnetic spectrum access in all 89 00:03:12,839 --> 00:03:14,561 bands remains essential to dod 90 00:03:14,561 --> 00:03:16,672 operations as we conduct our national 91 00:03:16,672 --> 00:03:18,740 security mission worldwide . And 92 00:03:18,750 --> 00:03:20,861 additional information will be posted 93 00:03:20,861 --> 00:03:22,970 to defense dot gov later today . And 94 00:03:22,979 --> 00:03:25,035 finally to update you on us training 95 00:03:25,035 --> 00:03:27,380 efforts of Ukrainian armed forces . I 96 00:03:27,389 --> 00:03:29,929 can confirm that the 31 M one Abrams 97 00:03:29,940 --> 00:03:32,162 training tanks have arrived at Graphene 98 00:03:32,162 --> 00:03:34,273 Germany in preparation for subsequent 99 00:03:34,273 --> 00:03:36,218 training of Ukrainian tank crews . 100 00:03:36,270 --> 00:03:38,437 Those crews are expected to arrive and 101 00:03:38,437 --> 00:03:40,548 begin training within the next couple 102 00:03:40,548 --> 00:03:42,826 of weeks as we've discussed previously , 103 00:03:42,826 --> 00:03:44,826 this extensive training program for 104 00:03:44,826 --> 00:03:46,770 Ukrainian crews and maintainers is 105 00:03:46,770 --> 00:03:48,714 intended to prepare them for their 106 00:03:48,714 --> 00:03:50,714 critical roles ahead in effectively 107 00:03:50,714 --> 00:03:52,881 operating the M one tank and defending 108 00:03:52,881 --> 00:03:55,048 the Ukrainian people . And with that , 109 00:03:55,048 --> 00:03:54,990 we'll take your questions . We'll start 110 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:58,130 with associated press . Bald . Thank 111 00:03:58,139 --> 00:04:01,179 you . Um Two things . Uh If you could 112 00:04:01,190 --> 00:04:05,039 pat one , um can you just update us on 113 00:04:05,050 --> 00:04:07,272 the troops arrival at the border at the 114 00:04:07,272 --> 00:04:09,494 southern border ? Um How many are there 115 00:04:09,494 --> 00:04:12,059 where you believe they are ? And any 116 00:04:12,070 --> 00:04:14,181 other details about that that you may 117 00:04:14,181 --> 00:04:16,510 have at this point . And secondly , um 118 00:04:16,519 --> 00:04:19,790 on the uh Middle East Persian Gulf , 119 00:04:20,269 --> 00:04:22,325 can you tell us whether or not there 120 00:04:22,325 --> 00:04:25,730 are going to be additional dod military 121 00:04:25,739 --> 00:04:29,600 assets sent to the Gulf 122 00:04:29,609 --> 00:04:31,869 Strait of Hormuz region ? Are we 123 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:34,549 talking about ships , aircraft ? Can 124 00:04:34,559 --> 00:04:36,920 you give us any anything to put a 125 00:04:36,929 --> 00:04:38,985 little meat on the bones of what the 126 00:04:38,985 --> 00:04:41,399 White House said Friday about either 127 00:04:41,410 --> 00:04:43,299 additional assets ? Or is it just 128 00:04:43,299 --> 00:04:46,779 additional rotations or additional 129 00:04:46,790 --> 00:04:48,901 patrolling ? Can you just help us out 130 00:04:48,901 --> 00:04:51,068 on that ? Absolutely . Uh So , on your 131 00:04:51,068 --> 00:04:53,068 first question , uh in terms of the 132 00:04:53,068 --> 00:04:55,234 Southwest border , uh as of today , we 133 00:04:55,234 --> 00:04:57,179 have approximately 550 active duty 134 00:04:57,179 --> 00:04:59,123 troops uh that have arrived at the 135 00:04:59,123 --> 00:05:01,012 border . Uh We do anticipate that 136 00:05:01,012 --> 00:05:04,779 another 950 will be arriving uh no 137 00:05:04,790 --> 00:05:08,260 later than five June . Uh And so , um 138 00:05:08,529 --> 00:05:10,585 the predominant number of , of those 139 00:05:10,585 --> 00:05:12,696 troops , as I understand it are in El 140 00:05:12,696 --> 00:05:15,000 Paso . Uh although C B P ultimately 141 00:05:15,010 --> 00:05:17,010 will be the ones to determine their 142 00:05:17,010 --> 00:05:18,954 disposition since they're there to 143 00:05:18,954 --> 00:05:21,630 support C B P . Um in terms of 144 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:25,589 the strait of Hormuz , uh and the , the 145 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:27,656 White House statement on Friday , uh 146 00:05:27,656 --> 00:05:29,711 really what it comes down to is that 147 00:05:29,711 --> 00:05:32,269 the US will increase the rotation of in 148 00:05:32,279 --> 00:05:34,570 theater assets patrolling the strait of 149 00:05:34,579 --> 00:05:37,029 Hormuz uh with the intent of bolstering 150 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:39,869 our vigilance and our presence at this 151 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:41,991 uh at this location . And that's this 152 00:05:41,991 --> 00:05:44,519 maritime choke point . Uh These assets 153 00:05:44,529 --> 00:05:46,690 will include uh manned and unmanned 154 00:05:46,700 --> 00:05:49,380 aerial platforms uh as well as surface 155 00:05:49,390 --> 00:05:51,612 naval vessels from the Navy , the Coast 156 00:05:51,612 --> 00:05:53,557 Guard to help enhance our maritime 157 00:05:53,557 --> 00:05:55,390 surveillance . Uh In fact , as I 158 00:05:55,390 --> 00:05:57,829 understand it , uh the fifth fleet over 159 00:05:57,839 --> 00:05:59,728 the weekend on Sunday posted some 160 00:05:59,728 --> 00:06:01,506 imagery from a P eight pass and 161 00:06:01,506 --> 00:06:03,728 patrolling over the strait of Hormuz uh 162 00:06:03,728 --> 00:06:06,149 with personnel from the US uh and 163 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:08,327 various regional allies and partners . 164 00:06:08,327 --> 00:06:10,438 And then we continue to very actively 165 00:06:10,438 --> 00:06:12,660 coordinate with our regional partners . 166 00:06:12,660 --> 00:06:14,660 For example , fifth fleet commander 167 00:06:14,660 --> 00:06:16,604 spoke to his French counterpart on 168 00:06:16,604 --> 00:06:18,829 Saturday to discuss opportunities for 169 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:20,690 the US and the and France to 170 00:06:20,700 --> 00:06:22,978 collaborate and increasing our patrols . 171 00:06:25,170 --> 00:06:27,448 I'm sorry , quick thing on the P eight . 172 00:06:28,100 --> 00:06:30,211 Do you expect the US would be able to 173 00:06:30,211 --> 00:06:32,359 send additional P eights there ? That 174 00:06:32,369 --> 00:06:34,591 was one thing that I thought might have 175 00:06:34,591 --> 00:06:36,536 been an option . Yeah , so , so no 176 00:06:36,536 --> 00:06:38,480 announcements to make right now in 177 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:40,647 terms of additional assets moving into 178 00:06:40,647 --> 00:06:42,702 theater . Uh again , the focus right 179 00:06:42,702 --> 00:06:44,869 now will be on increasing the rotation 180 00:06:44,869 --> 00:06:46,758 of the in theater assets . Um But 181 00:06:46,758 --> 00:06:48,925 certainly if and when we have anything 182 00:06:48,925 --> 00:06:48,720 new to announce , we'll , we'll do that . 183 00:06:48,869 --> 00:06:51,179 Thank you . We go to next question , 184 00:06:52,809 --> 00:06:55,087 quiet group today . Let me go to Chris . 185 00:06:58,220 --> 00:07:01,809 Thanks Pat on uh May 11th . Uh NORAD 186 00:07:01,820 --> 00:07:05,320 intercepted uh six Russian aircraft um 187 00:07:05,329 --> 00:07:08,149 off the coast of Alaska . Uh Well , 188 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:11,070 NORAD noted , um they did not see that 189 00:07:11,079 --> 00:07:13,246 as a threat . They did note that there 190 00:07:13,246 --> 00:07:16,070 were large scale US military exercises 191 00:07:16,079 --> 00:07:18,301 occurring in Alaska . Does the Pentagon 192 00:07:18,301 --> 00:07:20,790 view this as a provocative actions on 193 00:07:20,799 --> 00:07:23,109 behalf of the Russians ? Just to make 194 00:07:23,119 --> 00:07:25,230 sure I understand you're ask , you're 195 00:07:25,230 --> 00:07:27,508 asking about a Russian exercise . They , 196 00:07:27,508 --> 00:07:30,130 they Russian flights uh in the Alaska 197 00:07:30,140 --> 00:07:32,720 Air Defense Identification Zone that 198 00:07:32,750 --> 00:07:35,019 NORAD uh announced over the weekend 199 00:07:35,029 --> 00:07:37,140 that had occurred last week that they 200 00:07:37,140 --> 00:07:40,070 intercepted . Yeah . Right . So , so we 201 00:07:40,079 --> 00:07:42,200 conduct exercises all the time , 202 00:07:42,209 --> 00:07:45,529 obviously . Uh And so , no , we don't 203 00:07:45,540 --> 00:07:47,500 view our exercises as 204 00:07:50,420 --> 00:07:52,750 near a U SI . Think the North Com 205 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:54,880 statement speaks for itself . Um , 206 00:07:54,890 --> 00:07:57,112 again , it's not the , the first , uh , 207 00:07:57,112 --> 00:08:00,940 Russian uh flight probably won't be the 208 00:08:00,950 --> 00:08:03,190 last North Com responded appropriately 209 00:08:03,609 --> 00:08:05,609 if I could , uh , just ask a second 210 00:08:05,609 --> 00:08:07,739 question . Um , Secretary Austin sent 211 00:08:07,750 --> 00:08:09,779 the , uh , letter , uh to Senator 212 00:08:09,790 --> 00:08:12,239 Warren on the nomination hold warning 213 00:08:12,250 --> 00:08:15,179 this could become AAA critical issue . 214 00:08:15,190 --> 00:08:17,459 Has the secretary spoken to Senator 215 00:08:17,470 --> 00:08:20,410 Tuberville about this since then ? Um , 216 00:08:20,420 --> 00:08:22,642 I don't , I don't have any specifics to 217 00:08:22,642 --> 00:08:24,809 provide other than to say that the dod 218 00:08:24,809 --> 00:08:26,587 does remain in contact with the 219 00:08:26,587 --> 00:08:28,864 senator's office . Thank you very much . 220 00:08:28,864 --> 00:08:31,429 Yes , ma'am to go off Chris though . Is 221 00:08:31,440 --> 00:08:35,109 it not the first Russians to go ? Right 222 00:08:35,119 --> 00:08:39,000 on , uh , ad Z I during 223 00:08:39,010 --> 00:08:41,229 one of our military exercises , you , 224 00:08:41,239 --> 00:08:43,919 it's not the first for them to fly by , 225 00:08:43,929 --> 00:08:46,900 but during a , a large military 226 00:08:46,909 --> 00:08:50,080 exercise , I believe around 10,000 , um , 227 00:08:50,090 --> 00:08:52,146 I , I don't have an answer to that . 228 00:08:52,146 --> 00:08:54,257 We'll have to look into that and come 229 00:08:54,257 --> 00:08:56,479 back to you . Thank you . You come over 230 00:08:56,479 --> 00:09:00,280 here to will . Thank you . Um First on 231 00:09:00,289 --> 00:09:02,122 does Britain's promise of cruise 232 00:09:02,122 --> 00:09:04,289 missiles and long range U A V S affect 233 00:09:04,289 --> 00:09:06,289 or change us calculations regarding 234 00:09:06,289 --> 00:09:08,622 providing longer range fires to Ukraine ? 235 00:09:08,900 --> 00:09:11,122 Thanks . Well , uh no , it doesn't . Um 236 00:09:11,122 --> 00:09:13,178 You know , as we've said all along , 237 00:09:13,178 --> 00:09:15,122 we're going to continue to stay in 238 00:09:15,122 --> 00:09:17,289 active discussions with Ukraine , with 239 00:09:17,289 --> 00:09:19,289 our allies and our partners on what 240 00:09:19,289 --> 00:09:21,400 their most urgent security assistance 241 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,456 needs are . Uh As you know , we have 242 00:09:23,456 --> 00:09:25,678 provided a wide variety of capabilities 243 00:09:25,678 --> 00:09:28,390 to include things like artillery , air 244 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:31,380 defense , armor ammunition , and we'll 245 00:09:31,390 --> 00:09:33,669 continue to do that going forward and 246 00:09:33,679 --> 00:09:35,735 then um kind of building off that um 247 00:09:35,869 --> 00:09:37,702 Ukraine has , has kind of made a 248 00:09:37,702 --> 00:09:39,480 renewed push for um for western 249 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:41,591 warplanes again . Is there , is there 250 00:09:41,591 --> 00:09:43,480 any change in in the US view that 251 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:45,536 that's not the right ? Um That's not 252 00:09:45,536 --> 00:09:44,760 the right equipment to provide at this 253 00:09:44,770 --> 00:09:47,190 point or is that basically the same as 254 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:49,422 it's been ? Yeah . Again , I don't have 255 00:09:49,422 --> 00:09:51,533 anything to announce today in regards 256 00:09:51,533 --> 00:09:53,589 to uh any type of fighter aircraft . 257 00:09:53,589 --> 00:09:55,589 Again , we're going to stay in very 258 00:09:55,589 --> 00:09:55,500 close contact with Ukraine and with our 259 00:09:55,510 --> 00:09:57,677 allies and partners uh to look at both 260 00:09:57,677 --> 00:09:59,454 their near term and longer term 261 00:09:59,454 --> 00:10:01,549 security needs . Thank you , Liz . 262 00:10:03,989 --> 00:10:06,289 Um What is the U , does it look more 263 00:10:06,299 --> 00:10:08,700 likely or less likely that China would 264 00:10:08,710 --> 00:10:11,789 supply weapons to Russia ? Uh So as of 265 00:10:11,799 --> 00:10:13,466 right now , we don't have any 266 00:10:13,466 --> 00:10:15,729 indications that China has provided 267 00:10:15,739 --> 00:10:18,929 lethal assistance to Russia . And um 268 00:10:18,940 --> 00:10:21,162 what is the US ? What is the Department 269 00:10:21,162 --> 00:10:23,218 of Defense doing specifically in the 270 00:10:23,218 --> 00:10:25,440 region ? Um to , to stop China or deter 271 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:27,718 China from potentially sending weapons ? 272 00:10:27,849 --> 00:10:29,849 So you've , you've heard us talk uh 273 00:10:29,849 --> 00:10:32,520 that both publicly and privately , we 274 00:10:32,530 --> 00:10:35,559 have communicated with China about the 275 00:10:35,570 --> 00:10:37,650 negative consequences of providing 276 00:10:37,659 --> 00:10:40,119 lethal aid to Russia . Not only would 277 00:10:40,130 --> 00:10:43,159 it extend the duration of this uh of 278 00:10:43,169 --> 00:10:46,320 Russia's illegal occupation of Ukraine 279 00:10:46,330 --> 00:10:49,489 and result in thousands of innocent , 280 00:10:49,599 --> 00:10:51,820 killed in Ukraine . It would also 281 00:10:51,830 --> 00:10:53,663 squarely put them in the camp of 282 00:10:53,663 --> 00:10:55,886 countries that are looking to eliminate 283 00:10:55,886 --> 00:10:57,997 Ukraine as a nation . Last question . 284 00:10:58,130 --> 00:11:00,890 Um Looking ahead to the G7 summit later 285 00:11:00,900 --> 00:11:03,122 this week , is the US doing anything to 286 00:11:03,122 --> 00:11:05,760 bolster its posture in the region ? Is 287 00:11:05,770 --> 00:11:08,599 the US tracking that China might react 288 00:11:08,609 --> 00:11:10,940 militarily to the summit ? I don't have 289 00:11:10,950 --> 00:11:13,172 anything specific to provide other than 290 00:11:13,172 --> 00:11:15,179 we of course , do maintain a robust 291 00:11:15,190 --> 00:11:17,301 presence in the Indo Pacific region . 292 00:11:17,301 --> 00:11:19,523 We'll continue to work closely with our 293 00:11:19,523 --> 00:11:21,690 allies and partners to promote peace , 294 00:11:21,690 --> 00:11:23,912 security and stability . Thank you , go 295 00:11:23,912 --> 00:11:25,968 Tony and they'll come back here or a 296 00:11:25,968 --> 00:11:27,912 couple of different regions of the 297 00:11:27,912 --> 00:11:27,760 world . What's the status of the 298 00:11:27,770 --> 00:11:29,937 Pentagon's preparation for this time ? 299 00:11:29,937 --> 00:11:31,937 One presidential drawn on authority 300 00:11:31,937 --> 00:11:33,714 package that the Taiwan Defense 301 00:11:33,714 --> 00:11:35,770 Minister said was gonna be about 500 302 00:11:35,770 --> 00:11:37,881 million . Uh Is it in the end game in 303 00:11:37,881 --> 00:11:40,103 terms of identifying the items ? And is 304 00:11:40,103 --> 00:11:42,326 it possible Secretary Austin or Blinken 305 00:11:42,326 --> 00:11:44,159 will announce it tomorrow at the 306 00:11:44,159 --> 00:11:43,809 hearing . Yeah , thanks Tony . So I 307 00:11:43,820 --> 00:11:45,931 don't have anything to announce right 308 00:11:45,931 --> 00:11:48,098 now . Uh As you highlight uh last year 309 00:11:48,098 --> 00:11:51,159 Congress did authorize up to one 310 00:11:51,169 --> 00:11:55,150 billion or $1 billion in presidential 311 00:11:55,159 --> 00:11:57,679 drawdown authority for Taiwan . Uh and 312 00:11:57,690 --> 00:12:00,440 Secretary Austin in February during the 313 00:12:00,450 --> 00:12:02,506 uh testimony before the Senate Armed 314 00:12:02,506 --> 00:12:05,080 Service Services Committee did say that 315 00:12:05,090 --> 00:12:06,923 uh we intend to make use of that 316 00:12:06,923 --> 00:12:08,701 authority , but in terms of the 317 00:12:08,701 --> 00:12:10,646 specific details of the timing , I 318 00:12:10,646 --> 00:12:12,812 don't have anything to provide today . 319 00:12:12,812 --> 00:12:12,119 Can you give me a sense of whether 320 00:12:12,130 --> 00:12:14,074 they're in the end game of pulling 321 00:12:14,074 --> 00:12:16,241 together a list though of systems ? Uh 322 00:12:16,241 --> 00:12:18,463 I I don't not from the podium . Ok . Uh 323 00:12:18,463 --> 00:12:20,519 I'm a part of the world of graft and 324 00:12:20,519 --> 00:12:22,679 we're 31 tanks . Why won't you , why 325 00:12:22,690 --> 00:12:24,746 doesn't the US just keep those tanks 326 00:12:24,746 --> 00:12:26,857 there for the Ukraine to use in their 327 00:12:26,857 --> 00:12:28,468 spring offensive rather than 328 00:12:28,468 --> 00:12:30,690 reconfigure 31 in the United States and 329 00:12:30,690 --> 00:12:33,130 ship over here . Uh So as I understand 330 00:12:33,140 --> 00:12:35,251 it , a couple of things , uh First of 331 00:12:35,251 --> 00:12:37,307 all , uh these tanks are intended uh 332 00:12:37,307 --> 00:12:39,880 specifically for training , uh don't 333 00:12:39,890 --> 00:12:42,057 necessarily have the capabilities that 334 00:12:42,057 --> 00:12:44,223 they would need to go into combat . So 335 00:12:44,223 --> 00:12:46,390 the tanks that we will be providing to 336 00:12:46,390 --> 00:12:48,057 Ukraine are going through the 337 00:12:48,057 --> 00:12:50,112 refurbishment process right now . Uh 338 00:12:50,112 --> 00:12:52,450 They will be up updated , upgraded and 339 00:12:52,460 --> 00:12:56,030 uh prepared for export to Ukraine and 340 00:12:56,039 --> 00:12:58,039 they , and because we're doing this 341 00:12:58,039 --> 00:12:59,928 concurrently , we will be able to 342 00:12:59,928 --> 00:13:02,039 provide those tanks to them uh in the 343 00:13:02,039 --> 00:13:03,872 fall time frame to get them into 344 00:13:03,872 --> 00:13:05,928 Ukraine before the end of the year , 345 00:13:05,928 --> 00:13:08,039 Persian Gulf and Layman's language in 346 00:13:08,039 --> 00:13:10,150 increasing rotations . Does that mean 347 00:13:10,150 --> 00:13:12,261 rotating ships in and less than maybe 348 00:13:12,261 --> 00:13:14,372 six or five or six months schedules ? 349 00:13:14,372 --> 00:13:16,539 Um What it means , Tony is that we are 350 00:13:16,539 --> 00:13:18,761 going to use uh the United States along 351 00:13:18,761 --> 00:13:20,706 with our regional partners , we're 352 00:13:20,706 --> 00:13:22,317 going to continue to use the 353 00:13:22,317 --> 00:13:24,372 capabilities that we have to step up 354 00:13:24,372 --> 00:13:26,483 our presence . Uh And , and uh ensure 355 00:13:26,489 --> 00:13:30,159 that that we are um seen . Uh And that 356 00:13:30,169 --> 00:13:32,614 we are actively communicating . Uh We 357 00:13:32,625 --> 00:13:34,847 will work together to deter any type of 358 00:13:34,847 --> 00:13:36,681 aggressive behavior . The use of 359 00:13:36,681 --> 00:13:38,847 unmanned vessels over there . The navy 360 00:13:38,847 --> 00:13:40,736 declared full uh full operational 361 00:13:40,736 --> 00:13:42,958 capability for this famous task force . 362 00:13:42,958 --> 00:13:46,625 59 . Will any of those uh uh drones , 363 00:13:46,635 --> 00:13:48,864 water drones be used possibly in the 364 00:13:48,875 --> 00:13:51,195 strait of Hormuz to help patrol ? Yeah , 365 00:13:51,205 --> 00:13:53,261 as I mentioned , we'll be , we'll be 366 00:13:53,261 --> 00:13:55,483 using both manned and unmanned assets . 367 00:13:55,483 --> 00:13:57,594 And so uh us central command will use 368 00:13:57,594 --> 00:13:59,761 the full complement of capability that 369 00:13:59,761 --> 00:14:01,927 we have resident in theater to support 370 00:14:01,927 --> 00:14:03,816 this effort . Thank you , David . 371 00:14:05,820 --> 00:14:09,130 Increased rotations means increased 372 00:14:09,140 --> 00:14:11,196 presence . Are you really , what are 373 00:14:11,196 --> 00:14:13,307 you talking about ? Just an increased 374 00:14:13,380 --> 00:14:16,190 tempo , increased operations , tempo . 375 00:14:16,270 --> 00:14:18,381 Uh You know , think of it about we're 376 00:14:18,381 --> 00:14:20,437 going to increase the patrols in the 377 00:14:20,437 --> 00:14:22,548 neighborhood uh to ensure that we are 378 00:14:22,548 --> 00:14:25,450 seen . Uh And that , that Iran clearly 379 00:14:25,460 --> 00:14:28,450 gets the message that we will not stand 380 00:14:28,460 --> 00:14:30,627 for this type of aggressive behavior . 381 00:14:30,627 --> 00:14:32,793 And again , it's not the United States 382 00:14:32,793 --> 00:14:34,960 by itself . We're working closely with 383 00:14:34,960 --> 00:14:37,950 our regional partners . Thank you . It 384 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:39,682 will all be done by the forces 385 00:14:39,682 --> 00:14:42,859 currently there , correct ? Ok . Let me 386 00:14:42,869 --> 00:14:43,869 go to Oran . 387 00:14:48,809 --> 00:14:50,920 Just a very quick question . Is there 388 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:52,698 an update to the possibility of 389 00:14:52,698 --> 00:14:54,809 Secretary Austin meeting Minister Lee 390 00:14:54,809 --> 00:14:57,087 while the two are at Shangri LA ? Yeah , 391 00:14:57,087 --> 00:14:58,865 thanks or so . I don't have any 392 00:14:58,865 --> 00:15:00,865 announcements to make today . Uh As 393 00:15:00,865 --> 00:15:02,642 you've heard , Secretary Austin 394 00:15:02,642 --> 00:15:04,809 emphasize many times , we believe that 395 00:15:04,809 --> 00:15:06,587 it's very important to keep the 396 00:15:06,587 --> 00:15:08,587 channels of communication open . So 397 00:15:08,587 --> 00:15:10,809 that is something that we will continue 398 00:15:10,809 --> 00:15:12,976 continue to seek to do . But I again , 399 00:15:12,976 --> 00:15:12,659 don't have anything to announce from 400 00:15:12,669 --> 00:15:15,719 the podium today . Thank you . Take a 401 00:15:15,729 --> 00:15:17,896 couple more here , go to Mike and then 402 00:15:17,896 --> 00:15:21,609 go to the ambassador to South 403 00:15:21,619 --> 00:15:23,730 Africa said he was willing to bet his 404 00:15:23,730 --> 00:15:25,841 life that South Africa loaded weapons 405 00:15:25,841 --> 00:15:28,940 onto a Russian flagged cargo ship at a 406 00:15:28,950 --> 00:15:31,070 base off near Cape Town . He 407 00:15:31,080 --> 00:15:33,619 subsequently sort of walked back those 408 00:15:33,630 --> 00:15:35,741 comments . I just wondered , does the 409 00:15:35,741 --> 00:15:39,479 US believe South Africa has provided 410 00:15:39,489 --> 00:15:42,570 weapons and ammunition to Russia and in 411 00:15:42,580 --> 00:15:45,270 this conflict ? Yeah , thanks Mike . So 412 00:15:45,280 --> 00:15:47,750 I I won't get into any specifics in 413 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:51,070 terms of uh what other countries may be 414 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:53,191 doing from an intelligence standpoint 415 00:15:53,191 --> 00:15:55,191 other than to say this is something 416 00:15:55,191 --> 00:15:57,080 we're taking seriously . Uh It is 417 00:15:57,080 --> 00:15:59,136 something that the US government has 418 00:15:59,136 --> 00:15:59,049 raised and discussed with the South 419 00:15:59,059 --> 00:16:01,349 African government . Uh but I'm not 420 00:16:01,359 --> 00:16:03,526 going to get into the details of those 421 00:16:03,526 --> 00:16:05,989 particular diplomatic discussions from 422 00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:08,167 our perspective . As you know , Russia 423 00:16:08,167 --> 00:16:10,278 is waging a brutal and indiscriminate 424 00:16:10,278 --> 00:16:12,539 campaign against the Ukrainian people . 425 00:16:12,549 --> 00:16:14,890 So the US has strongly urged countries 426 00:16:14,900 --> 00:16:17,330 not to provide support to Russia's war 427 00:16:17,340 --> 00:16:19,007 machine . Ok , let me go to . 428 00:16:20,969 --> 00:16:23,136 Thank you General , I have a follow up 429 00:16:23,136 --> 00:16:25,080 question on potential meeting with 430 00:16:25,080 --> 00:16:27,280 Chinese counterpart . Um so according 431 00:16:27,289 --> 00:16:29,729 to some media reports , China said that 432 00:16:29,739 --> 00:16:32,349 there is a real chance of meeting with 433 00:16:32,359 --> 00:16:34,330 Secretary Austin because of us 434 00:16:34,340 --> 00:16:36,700 sanctions on the minister . So how do 435 00:16:36,710 --> 00:16:40,099 you respond to Chinese Ukraine that us 436 00:16:40,270 --> 00:16:42,700 sanction affects a potential meeting ? 437 00:16:44,929 --> 00:16:48,109 Secretary Austin can meet with his 438 00:16:48,119 --> 00:16:50,260 Chinese counterparts . There is there 439 00:16:50,270 --> 00:16:53,130 is no uh restrictions in that regard . 440 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,869 Um But again , I don't have anything to 441 00:16:55,880 --> 00:16:57,713 announce right now in terms of a 442 00:16:57,713 --> 00:16:59,936 potential meeting . Thank you very much 443 00:16:59,936 --> 00:17:02,989 time for a couple more . Yes , ma'am . 444 00:17:05,729 --> 00:17:07,951 Hi . Thank you so much , Megan Eckstein 445 00:17:07,951 --> 00:17:09,951 with defense news . Um just a quick 446 00:17:09,951 --> 00:17:11,729 follow up on the tanks that you 447 00:17:11,729 --> 00:17:11,560 mentioned going to Germany . Do you 448 00:17:11,569 --> 00:17:13,291 have any additional details on 449 00:17:13,291 --> 00:17:15,069 personnel , spare parts , other 450 00:17:15,069 --> 00:17:16,625 infrastructure that will be 451 00:17:16,625 --> 00:17:18,847 accompanying the tanks to help with the 452 00:17:18,847 --> 00:17:21,849 training ? Um So no spare parts per se , 453 00:17:21,859 --> 00:17:23,748 right ? Because that's a separate 454 00:17:23,748 --> 00:17:25,748 effort in terms of the presidential 455 00:17:25,748 --> 00:17:27,803 drawdown authority and the USA I for 456 00:17:27,803 --> 00:17:30,026 these particular tanks . Uh certainly a 457 00:17:30,026 --> 00:17:32,699 key aspect of the training will be 458 00:17:32,709 --> 00:17:34,709 maintenance and sustainment of that 459 00:17:34,709 --> 00:17:36,765 capability . Uh You've heard us talk 460 00:17:36,765 --> 00:17:38,709 about the fact that the M one is a 461 00:17:38,709 --> 00:17:40,876 complex machine that requires a lot of 462 00:17:40,876 --> 00:17:42,987 maintenance to , to sustain it , keep 463 00:17:42,987 --> 00:17:45,339 it operating . So that will be crucial . 464 00:17:45,369 --> 00:17:47,147 Uh Which is why we're doing the 465 00:17:47,147 --> 00:17:49,130 training in stride with the actual 466 00:17:49,140 --> 00:17:51,362 refurbishment of the tank , the tanks . 467 00:17:51,362 --> 00:17:53,584 So , so that'll be an essential element 468 00:17:53,584 --> 00:17:55,969 of what they learn . Ok . Last question , 469 00:17:55,979 --> 00:17:58,469 Mike , can you tell me about if , uh , 470 00:17:58,479 --> 00:18:00,701 could you talk about these reports that 471 00:18:00,701 --> 00:18:02,646 a Russian cruise missile landed in 472 00:18:02,646 --> 00:18:05,170 Poland a few days ago ? I think , uh , 473 00:18:05,180 --> 00:18:07,930 I , I don't have anything on that . I'd 474 00:18:07,939 --> 00:18:09,883 have to refer you to Poland . Ok , 475 00:18:09,883 --> 00:18:11,606 thanks very much . Everybody . 476 00:18:11,606 --> 00:18:11,430 Appreciate it .