DefenceTalkThe Defense Department’s senior leaders announced changes today in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff designed to save money and better align the department’s structures and resources. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed decisions made as part of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-reductions-first-step-in-realigning-defense-spending-49840/

DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel issued the following statement today on China’s announcement that it is establishing an Air Defense Identification Zone in the East China Sea: “The United States is deeply concerned by the People’s Republic of China announcement today that it is establishing an air defense identification zone in the East China Sea. We […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-issues-statement-on-east-china-sea-air-defense-id-zone-49732/

DefenceTalkIn the months since the 2012 defense strategic guidance first reflected a new budget reality, Pentagon officials and military leaders have been working on the department’s longer-term budget and strategy, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said here Nov. 5. In the keynote address before the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Global Security Forum, Hagel said […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-six-priorities-shape-future-defense-institutions-49585/

DefenceTalkCalling Israel’s self-defense capabilities and its qualitative military edge “central to both Israel and U.S. security interests,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced tonight that Israel will buy six V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft for its air force. Hagel made the announcement during his keynote address at the 1200th annual Anti-Defamation League meeting in New York. “Israel […]https://www.defencetalk.com/israel-will-buy-6-osprey-aircraft-49548/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department and other government agencies responsible for national security will carry out their missions despite the government shutdown, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Oct. 1 here. The secretary, traveling in the Asia-Pacific region this week for high-level meetings here and in Japan, sat down with reporters traveling with him to explain what is […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-says-national-security-assured-during-shutdown-49270/

DefenceTalkIn a first-of-its-kind deal worth about $500 million, the United States has agreed to sell eight new Apache AH-64E attack helicopters and Longbow radars to Indonesia, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said here today. Hagel announced the deal during a joint news conference with Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro after productive meetings this afternoon with Yusgiantoro […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-announces-us-deal-to-sell-ah-64e-attack-helicopters-to-indonesia-48884/

DefenceTalkThe United States has announced a major increase in U.S. funding for military education and training programs in Southeast Asia. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made the announcement Sunday during a speech at the Malaysian Institute of Defense and Security in Kuala Lumpur. He said the latest Pentagon budget includes $90 million for the programs, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-significantly-boosts-military-funding-for-southeast-asia-48882/

DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chinese Minister of National Defense Gen. Chang Wanquan today announced that their countries will take a series of steps to improve military-to-military relations. Speaking to reporters at a Pentagon news conference, both leaders said that close U.S.-China relations will provide stability and security for the Asia-Pacific region and the world. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-chang-seek-to-bolster-military-to-military-relations-48808/

DefenceTalkHundreds of thousands of Defense Department civilian employees who have had to take a weekly unpaid day off from work since July 8 are getting some relief, as the total number of furlough days has been reduced from 11 to six, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today. Here is the complete text of the secretary’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-announces-reduction-in-civilian-furlough-days-48678/

DefenceTalkThe US Army could be reduced by a further 15 percent, with cuts to the numbers of full-time active soldiers as well as reserves, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Wednesday. He said a review found that priority missions could be handled with between 420,000 and 450,000 active troops — compared to the 490,000 currently envisaged […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-could-reduce-army-by-further-15-percent-hagel-48651/