DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel has ordered a 20 percent cut in funding for the Pentagon’s top civilian and military headquarters by 2019, saying everyone has to “do their part.” Hagel announced the order Tuesday during a visit to a naval air base in Jacksonville, Florida, portraying the move as a signal that no element of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-orders-cuts-for-pentagon-headquarters-48512/

DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s first trip to the Middle East included a visit and official dinner with Gen. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates armed forces. The two men met last night and reaffirmed the strong U.S. commitment to defense and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-crown-prince-discuss-us-uae-defense-cooperation-47628/

DefenceTalkRIYADH, Saudi Arabia: On his inaugural trip to the Middle East since taking office, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met here today with Saudi Crown Prince and Defense Minister Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a statement. During their talks, Hagel and his Saudi counterpart reiterated the longstanding, steadfast relationship […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-defense-partnership-anchors-us-saudi-relationship-47575/

DefenceTalkIn what Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called “a significant step in U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation,” he and his Israeli counterpart finalized an agreement today on a package of new defense capabilities the United States is offering Israel. Hagel and Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon held a joint news conference at Israel’s defense headquarters, known as the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-yaalon-finalize-new-israel-military-capabilities-47553/

DefenceTalkUS Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel arrived in Riyadh Tuesday to seal a major arms deal that will provide the Saudi kingdom with sophisticated missiles for its American-made fighter jets. Hagel flew in from Jordan after a three-day visit to Israel in his first tour of the region since he took office two months ago. He […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-in-riyadh-as-saudi-us-plan-arms-deal-47567/

DefenceTalkAs Defense Department leaders defend before Congress the president’s $526.6 billion base defense budget request for fiscal year 2014, DOD officials are preparing a review that reassesses assumptions driving the Pentagon’s investment and force structure decisions, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said today. In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Hagel said the review, conducted […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-review-to-assess-investment-force-structure-assumptions-47508/

DefenceTalkDefense Secretary Chuck Hagel today signaled possible big changes ahead for his department in acquisition, personnel and organization as he delivered his first major policy speech as Pentagon chief. Hagel outlined his plan of attack for the strategic and financial challenges the Defense Department faces during remarks at the National Defense University here. “We need […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-review-will-lead-to-big-choices-hagel-says-47355/

DefenceTalkThe Defense Department has revised from 22 to 14 the number of days hundreds of thousands of civilian employees could be furloughed this year because of the budget sequester, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced March 28. In addition, a senior Defense Department official speaking on background, told reporters the start of the furloughs will be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-announces-fewer-furlough-days-for-civilians-47315/

DefenceTalkThe United States is dedicated to defending Europe from missile attacks despite a US decision to abandon the final phase of a planned anti-missile system, Pentagon chief Chuck Hagel said Friday. In a phone call to Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak, Hagel conveyed his condolences over the death of a Polish soldier in Afghanistan this […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-seeks-to-reassure-poland-on-missile-defense-47250/

DefenceTalkThe United States will add more ground-based ballistic missile interceptors to its arsenal to guard against increased threats from North Korea and Iran, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced today. North Korean and Iranian missile capabilities have increased and the United States must stay ahead of that threat, Hagel said. Both have developed longer range ballistic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/hagel-us-bolstering-missile-defense-47181/