German Defense Minister: Restart conscription, pursue 3 percent GDP on defense

German Defense Minister: Restart conscription, pursue 3 percent GDP on defense
German Defense Minister: Restart conscription, pursue 3 percent GDP on defense

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius encouraged allies, including the US, to “arrive” at military expenditure of 3 percent GDP – though declined to put forward a timeline for such change to occur.

Austin confirms ‘pause’ in bomb shipments to Israel

Austin confirms ‘pause’ in bomb shipments to Israel
Austin confirms ‘pause’ in bomb shipments to Israel

“We are assessing. We have not made any final decisions on this yet,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said about a shipment of Boeing-made weapons to Israel. “But yes, there are some things we are taking a closer look at.”

US approves $6B weapons package for Ukraine, but Kyiv stalled on Patriot battery breakthrough

US approves $6B weapons package for Ukraine, but Kyiv stalled on Patriot battery breakthrough
US approves $6B weapons package for Ukraine, but Kyiv stalled on Patriot battery breakthrough

All equipment included in the pledge is to be ordered from industry, not drawn from US stocks — meaning it could take years for the weapons to arrive in Ukraine.

After chilly silence, US SecDef, China defense minister hold first talks

After chilly silence, US SecDef, China defense minister hold first talks
After chilly silence, US SecDef, China defense minister hold first talks

Having regular mil-to-mil talks with China “is an important priority for us,” a senior defense official said, pointing to the PRC’s behavior in the South China Sea, as well as the importance of “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

Amid lawmaker scrutiny, DoD assessing operational joint force HQ in Indo-Pacific, Austin says

Amid lawmaker scrutiny, DoD assessing operational joint force HQ in Indo-Pacific, Austin says
Amid lawmaker scrutiny, DoD assessing operational joint force HQ in Indo-Pacific, Austin says

“What I’ve asked my team to do is look at this and do an assessment to make sure that we get it right, and we understand the operational and cost issues associated with this,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told senators.

With US paralyzed, Europeans talk ‘new formats’ to go it alone on Ukraine aid: Ex-defense minister

With US paralyzed, Europeans talk ‘new formats’ to go it alone on Ukraine aid: Ex-defense minister
With US paralyzed, Europeans talk ‘new formats’ to go it alone on Ukraine aid: Ex-defense minister

In the wake of the US funding roadblocks, some European officials have been increasingly vocal about the need to be less reliant on Washington, arguing that European security should be more robust.

Radha Plumb named new Pentagon CDAO as Martell exits in April

Radha Plumb named new Pentagon CDAO as Martell exits in April
Radha Plumb named new Pentagon CDAO as Martell exits in April

Plumb, the current deputy under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, has held high-powered jobs from Google to the National Security Council.

House GOP pile on Austin over secretive hospitalization as Dems try to pivot to Ukraine

House GOP pile on Austin over secretive hospitalization as Dems try to pivot to Ukraine
House GOP pile on Austin over secretive hospitalization as Dems try to pivot to Ukraine

“I understand that leaders have to set the example. Again, I said that we didn’t get the notification right. Again, I was the patient, and so I expect that my organization would do the right thing,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.

Defense Secretary Austin no longer Europe bound, will virtually attend meeting on Ukraine

Defense Secretary Austin no longer Europe bound, will virtually attend meeting on Ukraine
Defense Secretary Austin no longer Europe bound, will virtually attend meeting on Ukraine

Austin’s medical emergency comes at a time of a new leader for Ukraine’s military, the inability of Washington to fund new weapons and former president Donald Trump inviting Russia to invade NATO territory.

NATO inks twin artillery deals worth $1.2B to replenish allies’ stocks, help Ukraine

NATO inks twin artillery deals worth $1.2B to replenish allies’ stocks, help Ukraine
NATO inks twin artillery deals worth $1.2B to replenish allies’ stocks, help Ukraine

The contracts are going to France’s Nexter Munitions and Germany’s Junghans Microtec for 155mm rounds, a desperately needed ammo type in Ukraine and one NATO nations are looking to fill their own stocks.

As pressure mounts, Pentagon releases timeline on Austin’s secretive hospitalization

As pressure mounts, Pentagon releases timeline on Austin’s secretive hospitalization
As pressure mounts, Pentagon releases timeline on Austin’s secretive hospitalization

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was transported by ambulance to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on the evening of Jan. 1 due to “severe pain” but currently has a “good” prognosis, the Pentagon’s top spokesman said today.

‘America must not waver’: Austin urges congressional action for US military, Ukraine, Israel

‘America must not waver’: Austin urges congressional action for US military, Ukraine, Israel
‘America must not waver’: Austin urges congressional action for US military, Ukraine, Israel

At the Reagan National Defense Forum, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also emphasized that Jerusalem must minimize civilian deaths in Gaza in order to keep any tactical victory from turning into a strategic defeat.

Austin, AUKUS partners announce Pillar II plans: Maritime exercises, DIU challenges, industry forums

Austin, AUKUS partners announce Pillar II plans: Maritime exercises, DIU challenges, industry forums
Austin, AUKUS partners announce Pillar II plans: Maritime exercises, DIU challenges, industry forums

The State Department also cleared a potential sale of $2 billion-worth of training-related equipment to Australia for the nuclear-powered submarine portion of the AUKUS arrangement known as Pillar I.

Stem Ukraine spending now and Putin wins, Austin warns Congress

Stem Ukraine spending now and Putin wins, Austin warns Congress
Stem Ukraine spending now and Putin wins, Austin warns Congress

“It’s hard to put an exact timeline on how long it would take… [but] I can guarantee you without our support, Putin will be successful,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told lawmakers.