Alright . Hi everyone happy friday .
Um so I just have a few things at the
top and then I'd be happy to go in and
take your questions . So just at the
top . Today today the department is
announcing approximately $400 million
in additional security assistance for
Ukraine under the Ukraine Security
Assistance Initiative or U . S . A . I .
The USA I package underscores the
continued U . S . Commitment to
supporting Ukraine by meeting their
most urgent requirements while also
providing while also building the
capacity of Ukraine's armed forces to
defend its sovereignty over the long
term . This announcement , this
announcement represents the beginning
of a contracting process to provide
additional priority capabilities to
Ukraine . Some of the capabilities
include funding to refurbish hawk air
defense missiles for inclusion in
future presidential drawdown packages
45 refurbished t 72
tanks with advanced optics ,
communications and armor packages .
1100 phoenix ghost tactical unmanned
aerial systems , 40 armored riverine
boats funding to refurbish
250 m triple one triple
17 armored security vehicles provided
um via the excess excess defense
articles , tactical secure
communication systems and and
surveillance systems and funding for
maintenance and sustainment of note on
the overhaul , t 72 tanks included in
this package . They are part of a
trilateral coordinated effort with the
Netherlands and the Czech Republic . Um
The USa I release and trilateral
statement should be available on
defense dot gov . Hopefully shortly
hitting your inboxes . So in total ,
the United States has now committed
more than $18.9 billion
since the beginning of the Biden
Harris administration . Since 2014 ,
the us has committed more than $21
billion $18.2 billion
February
24 , 1 , last note , Finally , as
mentioned on Tuesday from the podium ,
Secretary Austin Welcome home members
of the 18th Airborne Corps who deployed
to Germany in February 2022 to assure
our NATO allies and to deter Russian
aggression following Russia's brutal
and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine .
Their mission swiftly evolved to
support the execution of historic
levels of security assistance provided
by the United States and our partners
and allies around the world to support
Ukraine's defense . The United States
remains committed to supporting
Ukraine's near term needs on the
battlefield and its long term
requirements to deter and defend
against future Russian aggression . To
maintain the historic level of our
ongoing security assistance Support for
Ukraine . I'm pleased to announce today
that the department will establish the
security assistance group Ukraine .
What we will call Sag you , which is a
dedicated headquarters element in
Wiesbaden Germany and under U . S .
European command to coordinate our
efforts . This headquarters will be
similarly scaled and scope to our
current footprint but it will ensure we
are postured to continue supporting
Ukraine over the long term . And with
that I will take your questions . We
will turn to the phones first
terracotta ap . Hey , thanks for doing
this . Um on the USA , I you said about
400 million , do you have an exact
figure of what this us I ai number is ,
I would say approximately $400 million .
I don't have the exact specific number .
Okay , so these will all be for
contracts for like for the phoenix
ghost , how long would it be that you
anticipate before those systems would
get to Ukraine ? So um on the phoenix
ghost , as you know in previous U . S .
Ai packages that we announced . Um I
believe in june we had announced um uh
580 80 phoenix ghosts um that we
committed to Ukraine , a portion of
these have already been delivered to
Ukraine and we've seen success already
on the battlefield , but I don't have
an exact timeline for when this next
tranche will be delivered . Okay ,
great . I will take it over to the room .
Yes , go ahead . Um Just wanted to
follow up on the T 72 is this the I
believe this is the first provision of
tanks as part of security assistance to
Ukraine , Is that correct ? From the
United States ? It is the first
provision of tanks and these but just
to clarify and make sure that um It's
understood these tanks are coming from
the Czech Republic defense industry and
the United States is paying for 45 of
those to be refurbished and the
government of the Netherlands is
matching our commitment and will
provide an additional 45 tanks . So
we're looking at a total of 90 tanks
going into Ukraine . Um and as you
mentioned these will be the most
technically advanced tanks on the
battlefield . Another Ukraine question .
So Russia said today that more than
5000 civilians are being removed from
Carson on a daily basis . How does the
US view that ? Is this a voluntary
process or is it does it amount to
deportation ? So we've seen the open
source reporting there . Um I can't
independently verify exactly more on
those evacuations . Were seeing Ukraine
um continue to uh advance on its
counter offensive . We're seeing Russia
shore up its defensive lines around her
person . But um I just have nothing
further to add on those on those
reports . I can take , yeah laura and
then I'll come back to you just just to
clarify on the tanks again I'm sure if
I misunderstood you . So it's can you
say how many tanks we are sending and
how how many of them are U . S . Tanks
and how many of them are check or other
foreign . Sure so none of these are U .
S . Tanks they're coming from the Czech
Republic defense base . So we are
paying for 45 of these to be
refurbished and the government of the
Netherlands is paying for an additional
45 to be refurbished . So they're
matching our commitment . So a total of
90 tanks will be delivered to Ukraine
and um just a foot stomp that a little
bit the this agreement between um
the Czech Republic and the Netherlands
is a direct outcome um of the Ukraine
Defense Contact group . Um And so this
is just one of a deliverable that came
from from the meeting that was earlier
this year . So the USa i money is going
to the check defense space to the
refurbishment of these tanks which are
owned by the Czech Republic . Yes .
Okay . And then the checks will send
them . So how long will it take for
those tanks to actually get to Ukraine ?
Um Just a minute here . Uh I believe we
are anticipating a So the
contracting actions are going to begin
soon and then some of the tanks will be
available to Ukraine before the end of
December . So the end of this year um
with additional deliveries to be
completed in 2023 . Great . And then I
could just just follow up on the
Security Assistance Group announced .
Is that an evolution of the defense
contact group or is it a separate thing
separate ? So the The Security
Assistance Group . So this argue it's
not a new mission . Um this is a more
effective and streamlined way to manage
the process and this is a continuation
of building on the work that the 18th
Airborne Corps already had had done in
in um in the region . Um And
so this just the Saggy was a logical
way to continue to provide short term
assistance , but also long term
assistance to Ukraine . And as you saw
the president spoke to this in Madrid
that um we remain committed to to
Ukraine . Um , uh , for as long as it
takes , the Saggy was going to help
with those long term efforts . Great ,
I'll go to Barbara in the back on your
own public website . You posted remarks
uh , from Admiral Charles Richard had a
U . S . Strategic command and he said
in remarks just yesterday , uh , as
I assess our level of deterrence
against china , the ship is slowly
sinking . It's sinking slowly , but it
is sinking as fundamentally . They're
putting capability in the field faster
than we are . Those curves keep going .
It isn't going to matter how good our
operating plan is or how good our
commanders are or how good our horses
are . We're not gonna have enough of
them . And that is a very near term
problem . So he oversees much of
America's nuclear force and he's put in
the time frame and specifics on this .
Just days after you released your
military strategy and your nuclear
posture review of very near term
problem . You don't have enough
commanders . You don't have enough
weapons . I don't know what he really
means about you not having enough
horses . But is this not ? Do you have
concerns that this is an operational
security problem that he has now been
so specific uh
about the
the the lack of american
capability , nuclear capability against
the chinese and that he's put a
timeframe on it very near term problem .
So I think we I think we feel very
confident in our capabilities when it
comes to china or just genera in the
pacific . Uh the secretary laid out in
his national defense strategy , that
china remains our pacing challenge . We
know that um in order to compete with
china , we are we are doing more when
it comes to our own readiness and our
own on our own exercises . But I
think um I think we we definitely are
um monitoring things that are happening
in the indo pacific and remain ready to
act if needed . You know , concerns
about what he publicly said that we
have a very near term problem . I would
refer you to Admiral Richard for more
on that . Can I ask you also very
briefly , last friday , there was not
an insignificant security breach at the
pentagon which was never publicly
revealed suspect uh in a
high speed vehicle uh made it a good
distance around the perimeter of the
pentagon before law enforcement could
stop this suspect ? Not . Uh I think
everyone believes that the law
enforcement officers absolutely did the
best they could . So it's not about
them , but why was the pentagon
workforce not told that there had been
such a significant intrusion in
perimeter security that somebody made
it a very significant distance around
the building , through to security
barriers . The public statement that
came from uh management only said that
they stopped the person quickly , never
acknowledged that this suspect made it
past to perimeter security points . And
are you reviewing perimeter security ?
So thank you for the question . Um ,
just in terms of answering the question ,
you know , first I say that we are
incredibly grateful for Pippa police
officers for everything that they did
um to apprehend the driver and um keep
this building secure . Um we don't uh
we do not announce security threats to
the pentagon nor calm on law
enforcement issues , especially when
there are ongoing investigations or
pending legal action . Um , the only
exception to that is if there is an
immediate safety issue and there was
not at the time , uh , that was not
assessed . So , um Secretary Austin um
our leadership here has full confidence
in our police and our pentagon force
protection and um we thank them for
what they did last week . I'm gonna
take it . Yeah . Uh , just one quick
question for North Korea . Yeah . How
much is the pentagon seriously
concerned that the recent north Korea's
provocations , could we do
miscalculation and unintended military
conflict on the korean peninsula . I
think you were here yesterday , you saw
the secretary and his rock counterpart
speak to this . Um you know , these the
actions that North Korea has taken with
uh missile launches continue to
destabilize the region . Um , but I
would say further commit ourselves and
um uh further , uh , I would
say build our alliance when it comes to
South Korea and Japan . Um as you know ,
we're conducting vigilant storm now
that exercise was extended for another
day um in order to shore up um not only
our alliance but to show that um our
strength and and you know that we can
deter aggression when when needed . I'm
gonna go to the phones and then I'll
come back into the room . Um , Here we
go . Sorry about that . Uh Jeff shuttle .
Thank you . I understand if these
questions have to be taken . But can
you say which variant of T 70 two's uh
the U . S . Is paying for whether they
have any type of active denial system
and I believe they have a 125
millimeter gun . Where is the
ammunition coming from ? Considering D .
O . D . Has often said that post soviet
stockpiles and new uh NATO members are
exhausted . Thanks Jeff for the
question . Um in terms of where the
ammunition is coming from , you know
when I have more details or anything
more to announce . I'd be happy to get
back to you on that . I don't have more
specifics on the tanks themselves .
They're they're the T 72 tanks . Um
They're source from the Czech Republic
defense industry . Um so I just don't
have more on that . I'd be happy to
take that question though and get back
to you . Great . I'm not gonna take one
more from the phone and then I'll come
back into the room . Um , IDris ,
Reuters , I need to follow up .
Hello , we can hear you .
Hi , I'm sorry . This is still Jeff
show . Google . The T 72 is a fairly
old design . Can osd say why it's not
providing newer tanks like the Abrams ,
the leopard or even korean tanks , Jeff
as you're right , These are soviet era
tanks . Um , these are tanks that the
Ukrainians know how to use on the
battlefield . Um , and again , this is
we are providing these in coordination
with the Netherlands and the Czech
Republic . Um , in terms of why aren't
we providing new tanks um , or american
tanks , uh , introducing a new
main battle tank is um extremely costly .
It's time sensitive . Um , and it would
be a huge undertaking for the Ukrainian
forces . Um , so we do continue to
consult with our allies and partners to
assess our ability on what we can
provide in terms of Western armor
platforms . But these tanks , um , we
believe will make a difference on the
battlefield . Um , let me just since
kristen it was not there , I'm just
gonna take heather's question then I'll
come back in the room so heather us and
I much too quick questions . Um , I was
hoping you could tell us if you've
gotten any information about the attack
on Sevastopol . Um , now I know that we
still haven't got a damage assessment
and I was wondering if you could give
us any um further information on the
river in boats you mentioned . And I
think IDris was trying to uh speak in
as well Back to address after after you .
Um in terms of uh sevastopol ,
I don't have any more information there
for you . Um you know , we've seen the
open source reporting but I don't have
more to add to that . Um in terms of
the 40 riverine boats that we are
providing Ukraine , this is again not
the first time that we've provided . Um
these are moored boats to Ukraine but
how and when the Ukrainians use them is
is up to them in their decision . Um So
with that I'm just gonna go to your
dress and then I promise I'm coming
back in the room . Sorry . Okay . Are
you there ?
Sorry . Well , well you'll find me I'm
sure . And then we'll we'll we'll we'll
talk yes right over here . Yeah .
Question on North Korea yesterday ,
Secretary Austin and South korean
minister reaffirmed the U . S .
Commitment to deploy U . S . Strategic
assets to the korean . And during the
Secretary said that us don't have a
plan to change permanent position in
the stationing of strategic . So my
question is how us will in place the
frequency and the intensity of
deployment of strategic , well
I mean I don't have anything to
announce today on any new deployment of
strategic assets but I think vigilant
storm the exercise that's ongoing now
speaks for itself um and an opportunity
presented itself to extend that
exercise for a day um which allowed
some additional flying operations with
our rock counterpart . Um and you know
these these exercises increased
confidence in our joint operations . Um
and and again , you know , this is not
the last exercise . We will continue to
do exercises with South Korea or Japan
when when opportunities present itself .
But um I don't have an announcement to
make of any redeployment of any assets .
Great , yes . Oh and I'll come back to
you since you couldn't get on the phone .
Go ahead . Um Yesterday Secretary
Austin and his South korean counterpart
um said if North Korea uses a nuclear
weapon in any threatening way it would
be the end of the regime . Um can you
just speak to that a little bit and
define what exactly North Korea would
have to do for the U . S . And South
Korea and the regime . So I'm not gonna
speculate on hypotheticals or get ahead
of any decisions . I think those
comments stand for themselves . Um
we've been crystal clear that um
any threat to our partners and allies
in the region or U . S . Personnel , we
would certainly um respond . But um I'm
not gonna get into hypothetical
situations on what that response would
look like or what type of response
would warrant would involve testing a
tactical nuclear weapon . Again , I'm
not gonna get into hypotheticals but
thank you for your question and then
I'm coming back to the
funding to refurbish them for future
presidential done . I was just confused
about that . That's right . So this
will be funding from through the USa I
package um that because these missiles
need to go into contract for
refurbishment then they would get
announced in the P . D . A . Because it
would be coming off of our shelves .
But the contract to refurbish these
missiles would it would have to go out
for for the um not going to get into
how many were supplying just for Opsec
reasons but um don't have an exact
timeline yet . Um I mean I think
uh you know yeah I don't have an exact
timeline on that . I'm sorry just some
of the joint statement yesterday with
the South Koreans , there was a line
saying the two countries pledged to do
more to advance the alliance commitment
just generally alliance , what does
that look like in terms of doing more ,
what more can you do ? Well , you know ,
I think the secretary and minister lee
spoke to this when they were here at
the podiums um you know part of that is
continuing our joint exercises are
deepening our bilateral relationship
and also trilateral cooperation within
the region but part of that is having
the dialogue that we did just yesterday .
Part of that is having this open
communication between our two countries
um to talk through the threats that we
see both in the indo pacific and also
the acute threat of of Russia , but you
know also to um discuss more areas
where we can work together as as two
countries . Great , yes , a few more
follow ups on the tanks . So is this
the first um provision of tanks by to
Ukraine by any by any country or I
would have to check on that ? I don't
know if other um allies have provided
these tanks before , but I know from
the United States perspective this is
the first time that we are we are
paying for these tanks to be used in
Ukraine then the second question . So
there I have the impression , so
there's it seems that some countries
were sort of waiting for uh the other
to go first in terms of provision of
tanks um I guess especially in terms of
Germany , is this something that could
potentially shake loose some some
further provision of tanks to Ukraine ?
Well , it's it's um it's hard to
speculate on what this could
potentially , as in your words shake
loose or um what other countries will
commit to . But I think it's important
to note that this agreement came out of
the Ukraine Defense Contact group ,
we're seeing continued progress um with
over 50 countries meeting at the last
meeting um to talk through what does
short term and long term support look
like for Ukraine . So um I think the
Ukraine contact group has been um
incredibly successful in um uniting our
partners and allies in supporting
Ukraine . Um and also making sure that
they get the warfare capabilities that
they need on the battlefield . Yeah ,
I'll take Laura and and just just to
follow up first the Hawk missiles , is
this the first time the U . S . Is
paying for them to be refurbished ? Yes .
Say the the ally that's sending them
uh that this is all the information
that I'm gonna get into . But in terms
of , well these are these are our air
missiles that will be refurbished . Yes .
Yeah the I think you're getting the
tanks confused with the Hawks . So the
Hawk the side of the tanks , the T 72
are from the Czech industrial base .
These are our Hawk air missiles that
have to be refurbished as , you know ,
we don't use the hawk systems anymore .
And then that's right . And then the
250 M . 117 armored vehicles for the
first time we're sending um
I would have to check , you know ,
we've sent armored vehicles . Well let
me check , I'm gonna take that question
because I don't want to misspeak on
that . But um
yeah and I just want to make sure that
it's clear that these um this is the
first time that we're sending these
particular armored vehicles . Um I just
want to make sure that um it's clear
that these are going to be um are going
to be intended to be used through the
excess defense articles which is a
program that services can use to
declare equipment in excess um and make
available for allies and partners . So
this often includes older equipment ,
um equipment that's in need of , you
know , service and repairs or upgrades .
Um and they just no longer meet the
service's requirements . And so that's
why we are sending those were setting
those through USA I not they have to be
refurbished first so they have to go
out for a contract for refurbishing .
Yeah . Um yesterday President
biden during his campaign rally in SAn
Diego , he said we are going to free
Iran . So does that mean there
are any plans especially here in the D
O D maybe to assist the protest
there or any steps that maybe lead to
change the regime in Iran . So I would
refer you to the White House to speak
more to the President's comments . Um
you know , again we have been clear
from this podium and I think um other
my other counterparts have been clear
that um we're seeing peaceful protests
take place . Um and this is the Iranian
regime's attempt to suppress uh to
violently suppress them . Um and we
just urge that , you know , we they
allow these peaceful protests to to
continue . I'll take Yeah , sorry ,
question about Ukraine recently the
attacks on power and water sources
across Ukraine , especially around the
capital has been increasing too much .
What more can be done to stop those
attacks ? Well , I mean , the attacks
that Russia is launching . I mean
certainly the tomorrow today Vladimir
Putin has the choice to end this war .
Um Those those those strikes could
certainly start by his decision . Um
in terms of how to stop those attacks .
I mean we are as you're seeing from
this package , we are giving more
aerial defense systems to the
Ukrainians to do just that um the Hawk
missiles that were giving um the Hawk
is a mid range surface to air guided
missile that um has a longer range than
the stingers that we provided earlier
this year . So that will be able to
help um the Ukrainians further on on
the battlefield . Um But look , you
know , the Ukrainians are doing what
they can to to um push back against
these um brutal attacks . And um
I think we're seeing their them being
successful . We're seeing their counter
offensive continue um to go on . We're
so you know Russian Russian forces ,
you know , shoring up their defensive
lines . But we are seeing the
Ukrainians make success not only
shooting down some of these drones ,
but just on the battlefield itself .
Great . Yeah , I'll take a few more and
then I will have to wrap up because
there's another event here . So yes ,
thank you for taking my question . I
have a question about the North Korea .
Sure . Uh how
much are you concerned about the
possibility of the North Korea
conducting nuclear tests in the near
future and pentagon , see any
indication of the nuclear . So we
remain concerned um about the prospects
of any nuclear test . Uh we know that
the North Koreans have made
preparations for such a test um and
this assessment , you know , remains
consistent with what we have said from
the beginning , but we certainly remain
concerned um and which is why . And you
heard the secretary and his rock
counterpart speak to this yesterday ?
Um we're in very close touch with our
allies and partners in the region . Um
and should there be uh such a test ,
you know , we would be able to respond
quickly if needed . Great , I'm gonna
make just a few more and then yeah , go
ahead regarding the continuing
resolution and obviously , the
department has a lot of modernization
programs and priorities as Barbara
alluded to in terms of closing the gap
with China where right now are the
biggest areas of concern of what's
being held back by the continuing
resolution , which , you know , given
the elections next week , potential
change in Congress could be going into
next spring . Well , as you know , I
wouldn't really be able to speak to so
much of what is happening in Congress
and and um you know , potentials of of
the package as you know , we put
forward a budget . We urge Congress to
pass that budget um the continuing
resolution of course limit some of the
things that we are able to do . So ,
you know , we would urge Congress to to
really look and and see if they can
pass the budget that the secretary put
forward just in terms of the current
situation . Are there any particular
programs that are most affected or
where you're having to scramble the
most to try to deal with the current
resolution ? I wouldn't get into . Um ,
I'm not gonna speak to any particular
programs that are impacted . I mean ,
as you're seeing our age , Ukraine
continues our support and our exercises
continue , so we are still being able
to operate . But again , um , while the
continuing resolution does limit some
of the things that we are able to do ,
um , it is important that Congress ,
you know , pass the budget so we can
expand on those . Okay , um , I'm gonna
wrap up here . Thanks everyone for
coming in today . Happy friday . And I
hope you have a good weekend .