WEBVTT 00:00.840 --> 00:02.910 Good afternoon , everyone just a few 00:02.910 --> 00:04.854 things and we'll get right to your 00:05.610 --> 00:08.520 questions . Earlier today , Secretary 00:08.520 --> 00:10.830 Austin issued his annual message to the 00:10.830 --> 00:13.120 force which emphasized his three 00:13.120 --> 00:15.220 priorities . As Secretary of Defense 00:15.230 --> 00:17.390 defending the nation , taking care of 00:17.390 --> 00:19.279 our people and succeeding through 00:19.279 --> 00:21.360 teamwork . As the department . These 00:21.360 --> 00:23.527 priorities continue to guide and shape 00:23.527 --> 00:25.360 all that we do in support of our 00:25.360 --> 00:27.304 nation's security and the National 00:27.304 --> 00:29.193 Defense strategy . You can find a 00:29.193 --> 00:31.249 complete copy of the memo on defense 00:31.249 --> 00:33.304 dot gov . And in this message to the 00:33.304 --> 00:35.527 force , Secretary Austin highlights how 00:35.527 --> 00:37.540 the 2022 national Defense strategy 00:37.550 --> 00:39.780 articulates how we will achieve D . O . 00:39.780 --> 00:41.613 D . S . Goals through integrated 00:41.613 --> 00:44.400 deterrence , campaigning and building 00:44.400 --> 00:46.860 enduring advantages . Implementing the 00:46.860 --> 00:48.804 strategy means tackling the pacing 00:48.804 --> 00:51.027 challenge from the People's Republic of 00:51.027 --> 00:53.193 China while also confronting the acute 00:53.193 --> 00:55.027 threat of Russian aggression and 00:55.027 --> 00:57.370 managing the risk of escalation as 00:57.370 --> 00:59.481 President Putin and Putin's cruel war 00:59.481 --> 01:01.648 against Ukraine enters a second year . 01:02.150 --> 01:04.261 We must also defend against and deter 01:04.261 --> 01:06.780 threats from Iran North Korea and 01:06.780 --> 01:09.210 global terrorist organizations . Even 01:09.210 --> 01:11.154 while we grapple with 21st century 01:11.154 --> 01:12.988 transnational challenges such as 01:12.988 --> 01:14.710 climate change . Finally , the 01:14.710 --> 01:16.877 Department of Defense will continue to 01:16.877 --> 01:18.766 modernize the joint force and out 01:18.766 --> 01:20.821 innovate our competitors . Secretary 01:20.821 --> 01:22.599 Austin concludes the message by 01:22.599 --> 01:24.766 expressing his thanks and appreciation 01:24.766 --> 01:26.766 to all members of the Department of 01:26.766 --> 01:28.988 Defense for what they do every day . To 01:28.988 --> 01:31.043 meet our sacred obligation to defend 01:31.043 --> 01:32.932 the american people separately as 01:32.932 --> 01:35.154 announced earlier this week , Secretary 01:35.154 --> 01:37.210 Austin will depart this weekend on a 01:37.210 --> 01:39.321 planned multi day visit to the Middle 01:39.321 --> 01:41.543 East region with locations that include 01:41.543 --> 01:43.766 Jordan Egypt and Israel , The secretary 01:43.766 --> 01:45.877 is looking forward to his discussions 01:45.877 --> 01:45.860 with leaders in the region which are 01:45.860 --> 01:48.027 intended to support and strengthen our 01:48.027 --> 01:50.420 partnerships and enhance cooperation in 01:50.420 --> 01:52.587 other news . The secretary will attend 01:52.587 --> 01:54.642 the Medal of Honor ceremony tomorrow 01:54.642 --> 01:56.809 for a retired army Colonel paris Davis 01:56.809 --> 01:58.976 for his acts of bravery as a commander 01:58.976 --> 02:00.920 during the Vietnam war , President 02:00.920 --> 02:03.142 biden will present the award to Colonel 02:03.142 --> 02:05.198 Davis during a ceremony at the White 02:05.198 --> 02:06.976 House . Colonel Davis commanded 02:06.976 --> 02:09.087 american Special forces as well as an 02:09.087 --> 02:11.253 inexperienced south Vietnamese company 02:11.253 --> 02:13.531 against a large north Vietnamese force , 02:13.531 --> 02:16.430 june 17 , june 17th through 18th , 1965 . 02:16.900 --> 02:18.844 The Medal of Honor event will take 02:18.844 --> 02:21.011 place at 11:30 a.m. At the White House 02:21.011 --> 02:23.178 and the army will subsequently conduct 02:23.178 --> 02:25.380 a Hall of Heroes induction ceremony on 02:25.380 --> 02:27.740 March 6th at 10 a.m. In the Pentagon 02:27.740 --> 02:29.590 auditorium with remarks by the 02:29.590 --> 02:31.812 Secretary of Defense , Secretary of the 02:31.812 --> 02:33.923 Army and Chief of Staff of the Army . 02:33.930 --> 02:36.041 Finally , Army leadership will unveil 02:36.041 --> 02:38.600 the army's brand new the new brand 02:38.600 --> 02:40.711 campaign rather at the National Press 02:40.711 --> 02:42.489 Club in Washington , D . C . On 02:42.489 --> 02:45.600 Wednesday March eight from 9 to 9:45 02:45.600 --> 02:47.830 a.m. Eastern time in support of service 02:47.830 --> 02:49.774 recruiting and retention efforts . 02:49.774 --> 02:51.886 Afterwards , Army senior leaders will 02:51.886 --> 02:54.108 participate in an on camera media event 02:54.108 --> 02:57.970 from 9 45 to 10 15 I am . The 02:57.970 --> 03:00.026 event will feature soldiers from the 03:00.026 --> 03:02.081 campaign , the celebrity narrator of 03:02.081 --> 03:04.137 the brand campaign , films and other 03:04.137 --> 03:06.248 army staff central to the new brand , 03:06.248 --> 03:08.137 all of whom will be available for 03:08.137 --> 03:10.081 interviews . Transportation to the 03:10.081 --> 03:12.137 event will be provided to members of 03:12.137 --> 03:14.359 the pentagon press corps departing from 03:14.359 --> 03:16.414 the river entrance at eight a.m. And 03:16.414 --> 03:16.040 will return immediately following the 03:16.040 --> 03:18.700 event and a bus will be available for 03:18.700 --> 03:20.589 all pentagon press corps . Please 03:20.589 --> 03:22.510 contact army media relations for 03:22.510 --> 03:24.677 additional information . And with that 03:24.677 --> 03:26.843 we'll get your questions . We'll start 03:26.843 --> 03:29.630 with lita . Ap Thanks Pat . Um 03:30.310 --> 03:33.330 does the US believe that Ukraine is 03:33.330 --> 03:36.640 responsible for any of the recent over 03:36.640 --> 03:40.180 border into Russia scrimmages , uh , 03:40.190 --> 03:43.070 including in um the Bryansk region as 03:43.070 --> 03:46.890 well as some of the drone attacks last 03:46.890 --> 03:49.680 week . And if not , who does the US 03:49.680 --> 03:51.513 believe is responsible for these 03:51.513 --> 03:54.210 attacks ? Yeah , so um seeing the press 03:54.210 --> 03:56.090 reports in terms of Ukrainian 03:56.090 --> 03:58.257 operations , I'd I'd refer you to them 03:58.257 --> 04:00.510 to talk about their operations . Does 04:00.510 --> 04:02.621 the US believe that anyone other than 04:02.621 --> 04:04.843 Ukraine is doing them again ? I'd refer 04:04.843 --> 04:06.788 you to Ukraine to talk about their 04:06.788 --> 04:08.520 operations . I can't I cannot 04:08.520 --> 04:11.550 corroborate those reports in terms of 04:11.560 --> 04:14.660 of what we've seen in the press . But 04:14.670 --> 04:16.940 yeah , have you seen any indications 04:16.940 --> 04:18.884 that Russia is doing it themselves 04:18.884 --> 04:21.780 again ? I I don't have any information 04:21.780 --> 04:25.340 to corroborate either way . Thank you . 04:25.660 --> 04:29.440 Travis . Thank you . Um 04:29.440 --> 04:31.662 last week the Independent Commission on 04:31.662 --> 04:33.718 Suicide released its recommendations 04:33.718 --> 04:36.250 and part of those recommendations um 04:36.260 --> 04:39.540 were strict more restrictions on the 04:39.540 --> 04:42.960 purchase and the storage of firearms on 04:42.960 --> 04:46.820 base . Um does the secretary plan on 04:46.830 --> 04:49.300 implementing those recommendations ? So 04:49.300 --> 04:50.970 we're reviewing all of the 04:50.970 --> 04:53.137 recommendations that were provided . I 04:53.137 --> 04:55.248 don't have anything to announce today 04:55.248 --> 04:57.414 in terms of what specific steps we may 04:57.414 --> 04:59.680 take . But again , once we uh do get to 04:59.680 --> 05:01.902 the point of announcing , those will be 05:01.902 --> 05:04.069 sure to keep you in the loop . Can you 05:04.069 --> 05:06.291 give us any sense of the timeline for a 05:06.291 --> 05:08.402 decision or maybe an announcement ? I 05:08.402 --> 05:10.624 can at this point . Thank you , janie , 05:13.660 --> 05:15.493 thank you . General . I have two 05:15.493 --> 05:18.980 occasions . Uh , the United States is 05:18.980 --> 05:21.250 discussing with the South Korea to 05:21.250 --> 05:24.330 purchase additional ammunition from 05:24.330 --> 05:27.490 South Korea . Are there any other 05:27.490 --> 05:30.480 weapons purchases besides 05:30.490 --> 05:33.870 ammunitions ? Um So janie , I don't I 05:33.870 --> 05:36.000 don't have anything new to announce 05:36.000 --> 05:37.722 beyond what we've talked about 05:37.722 --> 05:39.833 previously , as you know , the United 05:39.833 --> 05:42.990 States has been discussing with South 05:42.990 --> 05:45.080 Korea the possibility of purchasing 05:45.080 --> 05:47.080 ammunition from industry from South 05:47.080 --> 05:49.247 korean industry . Um but beyond that , 05:49.247 --> 05:51.920 I don't have anything new to to provide 05:52.140 --> 05:55.450 North Korea . You have probably seen 05:55.450 --> 05:58.610 this report to that North Korea has 05:58.620 --> 06:02.150 announced , it is ready to target the 06:02.150 --> 06:05.570 USFK basis in major 06:05.570 --> 06:09.260 city in South Korea . What is the 06:09.270 --> 06:12.880 Secretary ? Austin's reaction on this ? 06:12.890 --> 06:15.112 Let me just make sure I understand your 06:15.112 --> 06:17.112 question . You're saying that North 06:17.112 --> 06:19.112 Korea has said they're gonna target 06:19.112 --> 06:21.680 USFK bases . Yes , again , I , you know , 06:21.680 --> 06:23.736 I have not seen that those reports , 06:23.736 --> 06:25.980 we've been very clear that we will 06:25.980 --> 06:29.820 continue to um work closely with the 06:29.820 --> 06:31.987 Republic of Korea and our partners and 06:31.987 --> 06:34.230 allies in the region to safeguard not 06:34.230 --> 06:37.360 only the South Korea ? Um , but our our 06:37.360 --> 06:40.090 own forces as well as allies and our 06:40.100 --> 06:43.220 and our partners in the region . Um you 06:43.220 --> 06:45.276 know , I think we've been very clear 06:45.276 --> 06:47.387 that any type of provocative reaction 06:47.387 --> 06:48.998 or action will be dealt with 06:48.998 --> 06:51.360 appropriately and will stand close 06:51.360 --> 06:54.070 consultation um again with our allies 06:54.070 --> 06:56.181 and partners on that because recently 06:56.181 --> 06:59.580 North Korea Ranchi , the Hassan I C B M 06:59.580 --> 07:03.410 and also another very or the dangerous 07:03.410 --> 07:06.630 rocket ranchers . So after that they 07:06.630 --> 07:09.650 announced that they will target the 07:09.660 --> 07:13.510 full different US basis target 07:13.510 --> 07:17.460 is So I hope you again , uh 07:17.470 --> 07:20.340 that type of rhetoric is irresponsible 07:20.340 --> 07:22.680 destabilizing . But again , our focus 07:22.680 --> 07:24.950 is on preserving a peaceful , secure 07:24.950 --> 07:27.172 and stable indo pacific region and will 07:27.172 --> 07:29.061 continue to work closely with our 07:29.061 --> 07:31.172 allies and partners toward that end , 07:31.172 --> 07:34.150 let me go too far . Thank you . Thanks 07:34.160 --> 07:36.470 have two separate questions . So the 07:36.470 --> 07:38.730 first one on the trip to specifically 07:38.740 --> 07:41.680 by the secretary to to Israel um is 07:41.680 --> 07:43.870 considering the current tension 07:43.880 --> 07:47.130 security situation calls by Israeli 07:47.130 --> 07:48.930 Cabinet member to wipe out the 07:48.940 --> 07:51.790 Palestinian village ? Um the increasing 07:51.790 --> 07:54.690 in raids different occupied Palestinian 07:54.690 --> 07:57.750 areas . Um how does the Secretary feel 07:57.750 --> 07:59.917 about the situation ? And does he have 07:59.917 --> 08:03.740 a specific um message to deliver to 08:03.750 --> 08:07.660 um your Israeli allies and then on the 08:07.670 --> 08:09.780 the previous questions on on the 08:09.790 --> 08:11.901 Ukrainian attacks across the border , 08:11.901 --> 08:14.123 especially in Belarus ? I mean tracking 08:14.123 --> 08:16.234 the weapon shipments to Ukraine is an 08:16.234 --> 08:18.401 issue here in the US um , are you able 08:18.401 --> 08:20.900 to say whether or not um US made drones 08:20.900 --> 08:24.210 or US provided drones were used in the 08:24.220 --> 08:28.130 uh reported attack inside of uh Belarus . 08:28.140 --> 08:30.240 Thanks buddy . So on your first 08:30.240 --> 08:32.407 question , A couple of things , as you 08:32.407 --> 08:34.740 know , Secretary Austin spoke to his 08:34.750 --> 08:38.220 Israeli counterpart on uh recently , uh 08:38.230 --> 08:41.750 February 24 and during that discussion , 08:41.760 --> 08:45.070 um underscored not only our 08:45.070 --> 08:46.980 steadfast commitment to Israel's 08:46.980 --> 08:49.460 security , uh and its right to defend 08:49.460 --> 08:52.050 itself from terrorism , but also uh the 08:52.050 --> 08:54.680 importance and encouragement of the de 08:54.680 --> 08:57.480 escalation of tensions in the West Bank . 08:57.650 --> 08:59.983 And so really from a U . S . Standpoint , 08:59.983 --> 09:01.706 that is our focus right now is 09:01.706 --> 09:03.761 continuing to work with Israel , the 09:03.761 --> 09:05.872 Palestinians and regional partners to 09:05.872 --> 09:08.039 de escalate those tensions and restore 09:08.039 --> 09:10.300 calm in the region . Uh , after our 09:10.300 --> 09:12.467 visit , I'm sure we'll have a read out 09:12.467 --> 09:14.633 to provide with more details . Um , in 09:14.633 --> 09:16.578 terms of your your questions about 09:16.578 --> 09:19.950 Ukraine and the um , you know , alleged 09:19.950 --> 09:22.172 or reported drone strikes . A couple of 09:22.172 --> 09:23.990 things . I have seen some press 09:23.990 --> 09:25.934 reporting from Russian officials , 09:25.934 --> 09:28.440 first of all , alleging that the US was 09:28.440 --> 09:32.340 somehow providing information to enable 09:32.430 --> 09:34.900 these types of attacks . What I would 09:34.900 --> 09:36.956 tell you , first of all is again , I 09:36.956 --> 09:39.067 don't have any information in regards 09:39.067 --> 09:41.178 to whether or not the Ukrainians have 09:41.178 --> 09:43.233 conducted these type of operations ? 09:43.233 --> 09:45.122 I'd refer you to them . I can say 09:45.122 --> 09:47.289 definitively that the notion of the US 09:47.289 --> 09:49.400 providing intelligence or information 09:49.400 --> 09:51.122 to the Ukrainians to target uh 09:51.122 --> 09:53.233 locations inside Russia is nonsense . 09:53.233 --> 09:55.510 We are not at war with Russia . Nor do 09:55.510 --> 09:57.677 we seek war with Russia . Our focus is 09:57.677 --> 10:00.310 purely on supporting Ukraine to defend 10:00.310 --> 10:02.199 itself . And so that's what we'll 10:02.199 --> 10:04.366 continue to do . Uh as you've heard us 10:04.366 --> 10:06.290 say before , we are regularly 10:06.290 --> 10:08.410 consulting with the Ukrainians on the 10:08.410 --> 10:10.610 appropriate use of the equipment that 10:10.610 --> 10:12.450 we provide to them . And all 10:12.450 --> 10:14.561 indications are that they contend you 10:14.561 --> 10:16.783 to stay very focused on defending their 10:16.783 --> 10:18.950 homeland and fighting within Ukraine . 10:18.950 --> 10:21.283 So just leave it at that . Okay , press . 10:22.800 --> 10:26.250 Um earlier this week , two commanders 10:26.250 --> 10:29.360 and four others at Minot Air force base 10:29.370 --> 10:32.330 were relieved of their duties um due to 10:32.330 --> 10:34.190 concerns about their ability to 10:34.200 --> 10:36.770 complete their task of safely securing 10:36.780 --> 10:38.891 the nation's nuclear arsenal . Is the 10:38.891 --> 10:41.320 Secretary aware of this . And does the 10:41.320 --> 10:43.940 department plan to conduct any broader 10:43.950 --> 10:47.030 review of the nation's nuclear forces 10:47.030 --> 10:49.080 to ensure that there are no other 10:49.080 --> 10:52.140 issues across the force . So certainly 10:52.150 --> 10:54.261 the secretary monitors all matters as 10:54.261 --> 10:56.490 it relates to the strategic forces of 10:56.490 --> 10:58.790 the United States ? Um you know , in 10:58.790 --> 11:02.080 terms of that particular uh situation , 11:02.090 --> 11:04.257 I'd refer you back to the air force to 11:04.257 --> 11:08.140 talk to the administrative reasons 11:08.140 --> 11:11.430 behind those actions broadly speaking . 11:11.440 --> 11:14.100 Uh the secretary remains absolutely 11:14.100 --> 11:17.100 100% confident in our nuclear forces uh 11:17.100 --> 11:19.560 and capabilities . And so just leave it 11:19.560 --> 11:21.727 there . Thank you . Thank you . Kassem 11:24.730 --> 11:27.410 General on the strikes inside Belarus . 11:27.420 --> 11:29.890 So in from the podium , we have heard 11:29.890 --> 11:32.090 you saying several times that you are 11:32.100 --> 11:35.450 given the arms to Ukraine to to defend 11:35.460 --> 11:38.130 the Ukrainian territories . And 11:38.130 --> 11:39.963 apparently this is an out of the 11:39.963 --> 11:42.019 Ukrainian territories . Is there any 11:42.019 --> 11:44.130 investigation by the United States to 11:44.130 --> 11:46.590 see if this capabilities used in 11:46.590 --> 11:50.290 batteries are us or not ? Uh 11:50.300 --> 11:52.910 Kassem . So we've talked about our end 11:52.910 --> 11:54.910 use monitoring . Again , we're very 11:54.910 --> 11:56.750 confident in the procedures and 11:56.760 --> 11:59.380 processes that we put in place to track 11:59.380 --> 12:01.491 and manage those things . Again , I'm 12:01.491 --> 12:03.491 not gonna talk about investigations 12:03.491 --> 12:05.547 about alleged activities that may or 12:05.547 --> 12:07.740 may not have happened uh in belarus or 12:07.750 --> 12:10.020 other locations . Again , our focus is 12:10.020 --> 12:12.242 on giving Ukraine the capabilities that 12:12.242 --> 12:14.298 they need to fight inside Ukraine to 12:14.298 --> 12:16.242 defend their sovereign territory . 12:16.242 --> 12:20.210 Thank you . And also on there is an I a 12:20.210 --> 12:22.350 a report about Iran that Iran has 12:22.350 --> 12:24.900 enriched uranium uranium up to 12:24.900 --> 12:28.230 83.7% of purity . Uh 12:28.240 --> 12:31.080 we we see that the talks have stalled 12:31.090 --> 12:33.312 in Vienna . Is there is there are there 12:33.312 --> 12:35.646 any military options on table Currently , 12:35.660 --> 12:39.220 as Iran continues to enrich uranium ? 12:39.230 --> 12:41.452 Yeah , I don't I don't have anything to 12:41.452 --> 12:43.674 talk to specifically . As you know , we 12:43.674 --> 12:45.674 are planning organization . We take 12:45.674 --> 12:47.563 into account of a wide variety of 12:47.563 --> 12:49.786 situations , but I think right now what 12:49.786 --> 12:51.730 what you're seeing is a more of an 12:51.730 --> 12:53.674 emphasis on the diplomatic side of 12:53.674 --> 12:55.730 things . Of course , our presence in 12:55.730 --> 12:57.897 the region are continuing to work with 12:57.897 --> 13:00.119 with our partners and our allies in the 13:00.119 --> 13:01.897 region to deter aggression will 13:01.897 --> 13:04.063 continue . Um but again , I don't have 13:04.063 --> 13:05.897 any specific military actions or 13:05.897 --> 13:07.952 options that I would speculate on or 13:07.952 --> 13:10.063 talk about . So thank you . Let me go 13:10.063 --> 13:10.570 to Rio . 13:14.820 --> 13:16.709 Thank you very much for taking my 13:16.709 --> 13:19.160 question . I want to ask you about the 13:19.160 --> 13:21.110 south china sea that there is a 13:21.110 --> 13:24.000 reporting that the U . S . Philippines , 13:24.010 --> 13:26.190 Japan and Australia are planning a 13:26.190 --> 13:28.490 joint patrol in the south china sea . 13:28.500 --> 13:30.556 So is this something the pentagon is 13:30.556 --> 13:32.722 planning with our eyes in the region ? 13:32.722 --> 13:35.950 And is this a response to china 13:35.960 --> 13:39.080 recently directing military great razor 13:39.090 --> 13:42.660 at the Philippine vessel . Um 13:42.670 --> 13:44.837 I'll come back to your second question 13:44.837 --> 13:46.726 cause I want to make sure I fully 13:46.726 --> 13:48.892 understand on your first question . In 13:48.892 --> 13:51.114 regards to joint patrols , I don't have 13:51.114 --> 13:53.392 any specific joint patrols to announce . 13:53.392 --> 13:55.614 I will say that we are heartened by the 13:55.614 --> 13:57.781 discussions that Manila is having with 13:57.781 --> 14:00.114 two of our closest allies in the region , 14:00.114 --> 14:02.281 Australia and Japan on on the topic of 14:02.281 --> 14:04.448 combined operational activities in the 14:04.448 --> 14:06.390 maritime domain . And so we're 14:06.390 --> 14:08.800 committed to expanding cooperation both 14:08.800 --> 14:11.210 bilaterally and multilaterally with 14:11.220 --> 14:13.109 allies to include the Philippines 14:13.109 --> 14:16.020 Australia and Japan uh that share our 14:16.020 --> 14:18.130 vision for a free and open in the 14:18.130 --> 14:19.908 pacific and then on your second 14:19.908 --> 14:21.741 question . I'm sorry . My second 14:21.741 --> 14:23.574 question was whether or not this 14:23.574 --> 14:25.797 potential joint patrol is a response to 14:25.797 --> 14:28.150 china recently directing a military 14:28.150 --> 14:31.230 grade razor at the Philippine best cell . 14:31.950 --> 14:34.061 Yeah . again , nothing to announce on 14:34.061 --> 14:36.172 that , I would say broadly speaking , 14:36.172 --> 14:39.500 rio um our activities in the region 14:39.510 --> 14:41.621 contribute to what we've talked about 14:41.621 --> 14:43.732 many times before , which is ensuring 14:43.732 --> 14:45.843 security stability , peace throughout 14:45.843 --> 14:47.899 the region , working with our allies 14:47.899 --> 14:49.920 and partners to ensure that that 14:49.930 --> 14:51.874 countries can continue to sail the 14:51.874 --> 14:53.486 international seas , fly the 14:53.486 --> 14:56.710 international uh airways and operate 14:56.720 --> 14:59.030 anywhere that international law allows . 14:59.240 --> 15:01.296 Thank you . Alright , let me go back 15:01.296 --> 15:03.629 here and then we'll come back over here . 15:05.300 --> 15:07.300 Thank you so much . My question is 15:07.300 --> 15:10.430 about China's invasion of Taiwan on 15:10.430 --> 15:12.580 Tuesday at the House Armed Services 15:12.580 --> 15:14.740 Committee hearing and the Secretary 15:14.740 --> 15:17.160 calling course that he doesn't believe 15:17.160 --> 15:19.610 china will be ready to invade Taiwan by 15:19.620 --> 15:23.280 2027 ? Is that a shared view in the 15:23.280 --> 15:26.470 pentagon ? Um I think doctor calls 15:26.480 --> 15:28.570 comments as the undersecretary of 15:28.570 --> 15:30.903 defense for policy speak for themselves . 15:30.903 --> 15:33.070 So I won't have anything to add beyond 15:33.070 --> 15:35.070 what he provided . Um And Secretary 15:35.070 --> 15:37.630 today , Senator Dan Sullivan at the 15:37.640 --> 15:40.610 event . He said many of the biden 15:40.610 --> 15:42.554 administration officials including 15:42.995 --> 15:45.825 Austin agree that there is an imminent 15:45.825 --> 15:48.275 threat that China might invade Taiwan 15:48.275 --> 15:52.175 by 2027 as commander . Davidson 15:52.175 --> 15:54.795 said two years ago , Do you have a 15:54.805 --> 15:57.435 response to that ? I'm sorry , I 15:57.445 --> 15:59.445 couldn't hear . Are you saying that 15:59.445 --> 16:01.950 Secretary Austin thinks that there's an 16:01.960 --> 16:03.849 imminent threat of an invasion of 16:03.849 --> 16:06.810 Taiwan . Yes , so senator said so , but 16:06.820 --> 16:09.180 I understand security . Austin didn't 16:09.180 --> 16:12.370 say so , but he did not say he's been 16:12.380 --> 16:15.530 on the record ? Uh just very recently 16:15.530 --> 16:18.160 saying again , he does not see an 16:18.170 --> 16:21.930 imminent threat of invasion by china of 16:21.930 --> 16:23.960 Taiwan . But again , we're going to 16:23.960 --> 16:26.071 stay focused on supporting our allies 16:26.071 --> 16:28.293 and our partners in the region to deter 16:28.293 --> 16:30.650 aggression uh and preserve a free and 16:30.650 --> 16:32.600 open indo pacific uh and peace and 16:32.600 --> 16:34.767 security and stability in the region . 16:34.767 --> 16:36.933 Thank you . Okay , let me go back over 16:36.933 --> 16:40.430 here . General . I would like I have 16:40.430 --> 16:42.486 two questions . One of them I follow 16:42.486 --> 16:44.263 with my colleagues . Um Chinese 16:44.263 --> 16:46.810 officials today said that they opposed 16:46.820 --> 16:49.530 the recent US approval of 16:49.530 --> 16:53.010 $619 million dollars in military aid to 16:53.010 --> 16:56.900 Taiwan saying that it violates the self 16:56.900 --> 16:59.780 ruled island and rises tensions in the 16:59.780 --> 17:03.120 region . How do you respond on that ? 17:03.130 --> 17:05.390 And do you have any concerns about any 17:05.390 --> 17:08.030 military escalation could be happened 17:08.040 --> 17:11.110 in the area ? Well , so first of all , 17:11.120 --> 17:14.660 um the United States support to 17:14.660 --> 17:16.930 Taiwan and self defense capabilities 17:16.930 --> 17:19.097 contribute to the maintenance of peace 17:19.097 --> 17:21.580 and stability across the Taiwan strait 17:21.590 --> 17:23.534 and and within the region . And of 17:23.534 --> 17:25.646 course this is all in accordance with 17:25.646 --> 17:29.250 the Taiwan relations Act . Um And as 17:29.250 --> 17:31.083 you highlight uh this week , the 17:31.083 --> 17:33.170 Defense Security Cooperation Agency 17:33.320 --> 17:35.630 delivered congressional notification on 17:35.630 --> 17:38.760 the possible sales of f 16 munitions 17:38.760 --> 17:41.110 and related equipment to the Taipei 17:41.110 --> 17:43.166 economic and cultural Representative 17:43.166 --> 17:45.388 Office . But I would refer you to State 17:45.388 --> 17:47.666 Department for further details on that . 17:47.666 --> 17:49.840 My second question . Um um today um 17:49.850 --> 17:51.710 there's a meeting held between 17:51.720 --> 17:53.664 Secretary Blinken with his Russian 17:53.664 --> 17:56.030 counterpart . Is there any planning in 17:56.030 --> 17:58.710 the near future that maybe Secretary 17:58.720 --> 18:01.430 Austin held the same meeting with his 18:01.440 --> 18:03.384 Russian counterpart ? Is there any 18:03.384 --> 18:05.384 planning for that ? How much do you 18:05.384 --> 18:07.329 believe these kinds of meetings or 18:07.329 --> 18:09.051 communications are necessary ? 18:09.051 --> 18:11.162 Especially in this time ? Yeah , so I 18:11.162 --> 18:13.384 don't I don't have anything to announce 18:13.384 --> 18:15.551 in regards to any types of meetings or 18:15.551 --> 18:17.607 phone calls at this time . Secretary 18:17.607 --> 18:19.718 Austin has been very clear that he is 18:19.718 --> 18:21.551 always open to communication and 18:21.551 --> 18:23.551 believes it's extremely important , 18:23.551 --> 18:25.480 particularly for uh nuclear armed 18:25.480 --> 18:27.480 nations to be able to maintain open 18:27.480 --> 18:29.830 lines of communication . To reduce the 18:29.830 --> 18:32.170 risk of miscalculation . Thank you . 18:32.180 --> 18:34.402 You go to gym and then we'll go back to 18:34.402 --> 18:36.930 Peter . Thanks for doing this general . 18:36.940 --> 18:40.000 Just going back to Rio's question if I 18:40.000 --> 18:42.350 might or both . Rios question actually , 18:42.360 --> 18:45.710 um the incidents with that china is 18:45.710 --> 18:47.710 doing these unsafe activities , are 18:47.710 --> 18:50.470 they becoming more brazen more 18:50.470 --> 18:52.900 dangerous ? And are they happening more 18:52.900 --> 18:55.500 often ? What's what's the trend ? What 18:55.500 --> 18:57.970 do you see in this ? Uh Thanks jim . Uh 18:57.980 --> 19:00.660 there there has been an uptick in terms 19:00.670 --> 19:03.330 of particularly when it comes to the 19:03.330 --> 19:05.290 air of these types of activities . 19:05.300 --> 19:08.020 Secretary Austin personally spoke to 19:08.020 --> 19:10.170 his counterpart back in november when 19:10.170 --> 19:12.930 we were in cambodia on this topic , but 19:12.930 --> 19:14.986 again , what you're seeing here is a 19:14.986 --> 19:17.760 broader pattern of of 19:17.770 --> 19:21.310 activities that represent not only 19:21.320 --> 19:23.860 unprofessional behavior but also 19:23.860 --> 19:26.870 encroachment coercion uh and lack of 19:26.870 --> 19:28.981 transparency that's problematic ? And 19:28.981 --> 19:31.092 so again , we're not seeking any type 19:31.092 --> 19:34.110 of conflict with china . Um but we do 19:34.120 --> 19:36.720 uh want to ensure that as I highlighted 19:36.720 --> 19:39.710 before , that nations can continue to 19:39.720 --> 19:42.390 uh have faith in their sovereign 19:42.390 --> 19:44.168 borders , that they can sail in 19:44.168 --> 19:45.723 international waters , find 19:45.723 --> 19:47.723 international skies and and operate 19:47.723 --> 19:49.723 wherever international law allows . 19:49.723 --> 19:52.480 Thank you back to Peter . Hey , thanks 19:52.480 --> 19:54.480 very much . Can you give us just an 19:54.480 --> 19:56.647 update of the battlefield situation in 19:56.647 --> 19:58.758 Ukraine , particularly morale on both 19:58.758 --> 20:00.924 sides ? Territorial gains and losses . 20:00.924 --> 20:03.091 Thank you . Yeah . Thanks peter . So , 20:03.091 --> 20:05.313 so I'm not gonna provide an operational 20:05.313 --> 20:07.369 update per se from the podium here . 20:07.369 --> 20:09.480 What I can say broadly speaking is we 20:09.480 --> 20:12.370 continue to see uh intense fighting 20:12.370 --> 20:16.290 near um Russian forces and and 20:16.290 --> 20:18.890 Wagner mercenaries continue to press 20:18.890 --> 20:21.610 their attacks around bach mood and 20:21.610 --> 20:24.170 Ukrainian forces continue to hold the 20:24.170 --> 20:26.450 line there . Um , it remains a very 20:26.450 --> 20:28.561 fluid situation . So we're continuing 20:28.561 --> 20:30.960 to monitor that very closely . Thank 20:30.960 --> 20:33.500 you . All right , So here and then over 20:33.500 --> 20:33.820 here 20:39.130 --> 20:41.540 have a question about china . So 20:41.540 --> 20:43.830 Blinken has stated that they have 20:43.830 --> 20:45.940 probably already sent nonlethal aid 20:45.950 --> 20:49.160 over there , which for dual use to some 20:49.160 --> 20:52.800 of it does nonlethal dual use also mean 20:52.810 --> 20:55.060 drones that you could buy off the 20:55.060 --> 20:58.390 internet um such as the DJ one , I 20:58.390 --> 21:02.080 believe that china has , so in terms of 21:02.090 --> 21:04.340 Secretary Blinken comments , I'd have 21:04.340 --> 21:06.396 to refer you back to him for further 21:06.396 --> 21:08.562 clarification on that . Do you believe 21:08.562 --> 21:11.240 that they sent already nonlethal aid 21:11.240 --> 21:13.810 over there ? You said that Secretary 21:13.810 --> 21:16.032 Blinken said that I'm asking you do you 21:16.032 --> 21:17.810 think that they've already sent 21:17.810 --> 21:20.150 nonlethal ? We do know that china and 21:20.150 --> 21:23.900 Russia share a economic relationship . 21:23.910 --> 21:26.320 So again , I don't have any specifics 21:26.320 --> 21:28.320 to provide in terms of the types of 21:28.320 --> 21:30.542 trade activity that they may or may not 21:30.542 --> 21:32.764 be participating in . Our focus , as we 21:32.764 --> 21:34.931 talked about earlier this week , is on 21:34.931 --> 21:37.410 preventing lethal aid from being 21:37.410 --> 21:39.410 delivered to Russia . That could be 21:39.410 --> 21:42.290 used in the in the fight in Ukraine to 21:42.290 --> 21:46.190 kill Ukrainians . And so does dual used . 21:46.200 --> 21:49.250 Can that also mean non lethal drones 21:49.260 --> 21:51.482 that we can purchase off the Internet ? 21:51.482 --> 21:53.427 Again , I'm not going to speculate 21:53.427 --> 21:55.427 about what it may or may not mean . 21:55.427 --> 21:57.204 Thank you . Go back over here . 22:04.080 --> 22:06.302 Thank you for taking my question . Um , 22:06.302 --> 22:08.730 this is about Ukraine . The Ukrainians 22:08.730 --> 22:11.340 have been asking for cluster munition , 22:11.580 --> 22:13.970 but the use of such munitions would be 22:13.980 --> 22:16.480 very controversial . Is it something 22:16.480 --> 22:18.960 that D O D or us would consider 22:18.960 --> 22:21.590 seriously or do you rule out 22:21.600 --> 22:23.930 immediately to provide ? So , so in 22:23.930 --> 22:25.986 terms of munitions , again , I'm not 22:25.986 --> 22:28.208 going to speculate about what we may or 22:28.208 --> 22:30.374 may not provide . We work very closely 22:30.374 --> 22:32.541 with the Ukrainians and our allies and 22:32.541 --> 22:34.541 partners to assess to get Ukraine's 22:34.541 --> 22:36.763 feedback on what it is they need . Uh , 22:36.763 --> 22:38.874 and then go through a a very rigorous 22:38.874 --> 22:41.097 process in terms of ensuring that we're 22:41.097 --> 22:43.920 able to provide what what we can as 22:43.920 --> 22:45.976 quickly as we can . But I don't have 22:45.976 --> 22:47.920 anything to announce regarding the 22:47.920 --> 22:49.976 potential use of cluster munitions . 22:49.976 --> 22:52.087 Thank you . Alright , we got time for 22:52.087 --> 22:55.570 one more question back here . Thank you 22:55.570 --> 22:57.792 General . Let me just ask one follow up 22:57.792 --> 22:59.681 on about the remarks by the Under 22:59.681 --> 23:02.880 Secretary car um until last year 23:02.880 --> 23:05.310 several U . S . Military Leaderships 23:05.320 --> 23:08.210 award more urgent risks of chinese 23:08.220 --> 23:11.620 invasion to Taiwan . But what caused 23:11.630 --> 23:13.870 this recent change in the statement of 23:13.870 --> 23:16.520 the senior shells of the D . O . T . Um 23:16.530 --> 23:18.474 Just let me make sure I understand 23:18.474 --> 23:21.700 you're you said that who changed ? No . 23:21.710 --> 23:23.860 Uh is there any change of the like 23:23.870 --> 23:26.050 assessment or the analysis about the 23:26.050 --> 23:27.939 potential risks of the you know , 23:27.939 --> 23:30.730 chinese invasion to Taiwan ? Um Well 23:30.730 --> 23:33.080 from the depart defense standpoint , I 23:33.080 --> 23:35.024 think we've been very consistent . 23:35.024 --> 23:37.136 Obviously it's something that we take 23:37.136 --> 23:39.358 very seriously . As I highlighted in in 23:39.358 --> 23:41.469 my opening comments , the Secretary's 23:41.469 --> 23:43.580 message to the Force and the National 23:43.580 --> 23:45.580 Defense Strategy make it clear that 23:45.580 --> 23:47.810 china remains are pacing challenge . Um 23:47.820 --> 23:51.110 Again right now we don't believe that 23:51.120 --> 23:54.480 an invasion is imminent of Taiwan . But 23:54.480 --> 23:56.702 again , we're going to continue to work 23:56.702 --> 23:58.758 very closely with our allies and our 23:58.758 --> 23:58.710 partners in the region to deter 23:58.710 --> 24:01.200 potential aggression um and and where 24:01.200 --> 24:04.020 we are vested in the status quo to 24:04.020 --> 24:06.420 preserve the peace that's been there 24:06.430 --> 24:08.840 for for a very long time . Thank you . 24:08.850 --> 24:10.906 Okay , ladies and gentlemen , that's 24:10.906 --> 24:13.183 all the time . We've got appreciate it . 24:13.183 --> 24:12.990 Thank you very much .