Pentagon focuses on homeland defence, warfighting, and reducing wasteful spending
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has outlined key priorities for the Pentagon, emphasising homeland defence, modernising the military, and slashing wasteful spending.
In a media interview, Hegseth stated that the Department of Defence (DoD) is working on boosting America’s defence capabilities. This includes modernising the nuclear triad and creating an “iron dome” defence system similar to the one Israel uses to protect against aerial threats.
In response to concerns about defence spending, Hegseth highlighted the DoD’s commitment to achieving a clean audit across the entire department, following the successful example of the Marine Corps, which has passed an audit for two consecutive years.
“American taxpayers deserve to know exactly how and where their money is spent,” Hegseth stated, underlining the need for transparency in defence spending. “We need to know when we spend dollars; we need to know where they’re going and why.”
Further addressing waste reduction, Hegseth praised the Department of Government Efficiency, led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. This initiative will identify opportunities to streamline processes, accelerate acquisitions, and cut unnecessary costs.
This week, Hegseth will travel to Brussels, Belgium, to attend the NATO ministerial meeting before visiting Poland and Germany to discuss the matter with his counterparts and US service members stationed there.
“I look forward to meeting the troops and hopefully engaging in some physical training with them,” he said, emphasising the importance of focusing on the military’s warfighting capabilities. “I want to ensure our troops understand how focused we are on their readiness.”
While Europe remains a key focus, Hegseth highlighted the importance of the Indo-Pacific region in maintaining a strategic advantage over China. He cited recent phone calls and meetings with leaders in Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, stressing the Pentagon’s commitment to a free and secure future for the world.
“We are confronting threats in real-time, restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military, and re-establishing deterrence,” he said.
“I’m proud to stand with the 1.3 million uniformed members of the department who execute America’s national security strategy with unwavering commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law.”
Image: An aerial view of the Pentagon on May 11, 2021. Credit: USAF
Last Updated on 15 hours by News Desk 2
