BRIGADIER GENERAL PAT RYDER: Good afternoon, all people. Just some issues after which I will go forward and take your questions. So, in the present day Secretary Austin participated within the U.S. Africa Leaders’ Summit together with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and different U.S. authorities leaders. The summit which runs December thirteenth by way of the fifteenth, right here in Washington, D.C. brings collectively U.S. and African senior leaders and offers a chance to convene African governments’ civil society, diaspora communities from throughout the USA, and the personal sector in pursuit of a shared imaginative and prescient for the way forward for U.S.-Africa relations. On the margins of the summit, Secretary Austin additionally participated in a multilateral assembly with the presidents of Somalia, Djibouti and Niger, in addition to a bilateral assembly with the President of Angola to debate safety growth, cooperation and deepening our U.S. Angola partnerships.
As well as, Secretary Austin additionally co-chaired the Peace, Safety and Governance Discussion board in the present day, with Secretary of State Blinken and Administrator of the USA Company for Worldwide Growth Samantha Energy. Safety-related challenges in Africa are sometimes multifaceted and rooted in weak governance. Options require cross-government and inter-ministerial collaboration and neighborhood engagement and integration. Secretary Austin, together with Secretary Blinken and Administrator Energy, appreciated the chance to debate these important points with, and be taught from, leaders from throughout the African continent. Collaboration with African nations, establishments and peoples is important to the U.S. strategy to working with companions to advertise stability in Africa. Individually, Secretary Austin will host Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on the Pentagon tomorrow to debate regional safety cooperation, and a readout of that engagement will probably be forthcoming.
And eventually, the Division wish to want our Nationwide Guard a contented 386th birthday. On this date in 1636, the primary militia regiments in North America had been organized in Massachusetts to higher defend the Massachusetts Bay Colony. At this time, our unbelievable Nationwide Guard service members serve in 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia, conducting a full vary of operations at residence and overseas in protection of our nation, really dwelling as much as their motto, “At all times prepared. At all times there.”
And with that, I’ll take your questions. We’ll begin with AP. Tara?
Q: A number of U.S. officers have confirmed that the U.S. intends to ship Patriot missile protection techniques to Ukraine. Are you able to verify this? And as a part of this, would there be U.S. troops offering coaching in Germany or in different close by places?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks for the query, Tara. So, I haven’t got something to announce in the present day. As we have mentioned earlier than, we do preserve a strong dialogue with our Ukrainian companions with our allies, and our worldwide companions on Ukraine safety help wants to incorporate battlefield capabilities that they might want in addition to air protection. And so, in gentle of Russia’s merciless and continued heavy bombardment of harmless civilians and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, we’ll proceed to have these discussions and have a look at capabilities that they’re going to must defend their territory. However, once more, I haven’t got something to announce in the present day.
Q: However are Patriots one of many techniques which can be within the realm of risk due to the intensified assaults by Russia?
GEN. RYDER: So, as all the time, we’ll have a look at a full spectrum of safety help and defensive capabilities which can be out there inside our frequent inventories once we think about Ukraine’s wants. And so, when and if we’ve one thing to announce, we’ll actually do this.
Let me go forward and go to Jennifer.
Q: Pat, I am making an attempt to grasp what the problem with the Patriots has been up till now, as a result of it is not new that Russia has been placing civilian targets and so they’ve wished air protection; we’re now into the Tenth-Eleventh month. Is the problem that that you must alter the Patriots? Are you involved about know-how falling into the improper arms? What — what’s the difficulty with the Patriots?
GEN. RYDER: Once more, I haven’t got something to announce in the present day, Jennifer, with regard to any new air protection capabilities that we might or might not be offering to Ukraine.
Q: However whenever you ship Patriots to different nations, do you alter them? Are they modified technologically? So, that’s it a special model than what the U.S. has or sends to NATO?
GEN. RYDER: So, broadly talking, in any of our protection relationships and your safety cooperation relationships with different nations, there’s quite a lot of elements that go into consideration, as you already know, by way of the overseas navy gross sales course of that goes by way of the State Division. As a matter of operations safety, we do not talk about the specifics with regards to the schematics or the capabilities of these specific techniques. And so, like every other system, there’s quite a lot of issues.
Q: And may you verify that the U.S. plans to ship troops to Ukraine to trace the weapons which have already been despatched? There was a report yesterday.
GEN. RYDER: So, I did see the article that you just’re referring to. As you already know, again in Might, when situations permitted, we reopened the Workplace of Protection Cooperation within the Workplace of the Protection Attaché on the embassy. As we have talked about earlier than, that group there, the Protection Attaché Workplace, maintains a small group that do conduct inspections when it comes to capabilities that we’re offering to Ukraine. By way of the numbers related to that mission; once more, we’re speaking small numbers. We do not talk about specifics for operations, safety causes and force-protection causes.
I am gonna go forward and go to Jannie after which I will come again to Oren.
Q: Thanks very a lot on the missile protection techniques, South Korea has been stating that it has no intention to take part within the U.S. missile protection system. What’s the U.S. place on this? Do you assume that the ROK navy’s dependence, moreover protection system, can sufficiently defend towards the North Korean missiles?
GEN. RYDER: Yep. Thanks, Jannie. So, I haven’t got any remark to supply on any coverage statements or operational statements that the Republic of Korea might have made. As you already know, we’ve a really deep safety cooperation relationship with the Republic of Korea as allies within the Indo-Pacific area. And our focus continues to stay on working intently with them to make sure the protection of the Republic of Korea and the broader Indo-Pacific area.
Q: Do you assume that the explanation South Korea shouldn’t be taking part within the U.S. (INAUDIBLE) system is due to China, Chinese language strain?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, yeah. And I haven’t got something on that, nor would I wish to speculate on why South Korea could also be doing what it is doing. I would refer you to them.
However let me go forward and go to Oren right here.
Q: Are you able to replace us on the standing of coaching at Grafenwoehr and the coaching below SAGU? Does — does that stay coaching on particular person techniques or has that expanded past particular person techniques to wider or bigger coaching in any method?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, so — so no new updates to supply on the on the coaching entrance. Once more, we’ve been coaching Ukrainians for some time now on the techniques that we offer to them. And so, we’re always ways in which we are able to assist Ukraine. And on this case, you already know, coaching is one in all them. Thanks.
Sir?
Q: Oh, yeah. Can I ask you on Turkiye and Syria and Iraq? What is the Pentagon’s evaluation of? Are U.S. troops nonetheless in danger as a result of Turkish navy exercise, be it in Syria or Iraq? And, secondly, has DoD been in a position to persuade Turkiye to carry off on the on the land defenses? Do you imagine that you probably have, is it momentary, everlasting?
GEN. RYDER: So, I do not wish to converse for Turkiye. Actually, I would refer you to them for his or her views on a selected, on that specific matter. From a U.S. standpoint, I can inform you that the associate operations with the Syrian Democratic Forces have resumed; they resumed in full on December 9. Once more, our focus is on working with these native companions to stop the reconstitution of ISIS. And let’s go away it at that.
Q: I suppose it was two weeks in the past, and DoD publicly said that U.S. troops had been in danger as a result of sure navy actions, clearly, Turkish airstrikes being one in all them. Have U.S. troops been put in danger after or since then?
GEN. RYDER: To not my data. And once more, that is precisely why we have to proceed to maintain that area steady, and to have the ability to proceed to work with our native companions within the area to stop, once more, the rise of ISIS. However effectively, you already know, Turkiye stays a really shut NATO ally. We’ll proceed to seek the advice of and work intently with Turkiye. And, you already know, nothing so as to add past that, at this level. Let me go forward and go to the telephones right here.
Jeff Schogol, Activity & Function?
Q: Thanks. Does DoD have any replace on the Army’s investigation into weird photos that had been posted on social media?
GEN. RYDER: Thanks, Jeff. I don’t. I might refer you again to the Army for any info on that the standing of their investigation.
Let me go to Joe Gould, Protection News.
Q: Hello Pat, thanks for taking my query. One other query on oversight of arms deliveries to Ukraine. I wish to say again in November, you had mentioned so far there have been no illicit diversions. And I simply wished to see if we might get you on the document. Is that also the case? Have there been no diversions of — of U.S. arms to Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: That is right, Joe, at this level, we’ve no info that will, no credible info that will point out that there is been any diversion of Ukrainian help into illicit means. Once more, and I believe the outcomes on the battlefield on this case converse for themselves. We proceed to see the Ukrainians take the capabilities that they are being offered by the USA and the worldwide neighborhood and utilizing it to nice impact to defend their nation and regain sovereign territory.
Let me go forward and go to Ryo from Nikkei, then I will come again within the room.
Q: Hello, thanks very a lot for taking my query. The Chinese language and Indian navy forces clashed on their disputed border for the primary time in almost two years. How a lot is the Pentagon involved that this conflict might result in a much bigger navy confrontation? Is the Pentagon keen to supply extra navy assist to India to assist them deal with China’s navy threats on the border? Thanks very a lot.
GEN. RYDER: But thanks, Ryo. So, I can inform you that DoD continues to intently watch developments alongside the road of precise management on the India-China border. We’ve got seen the PRC proceed to amass forces and construct navy infrastructure alongside the so-called LAC. However I might defer you to India when it comes to their views. It does replicate although, and it is necessary to level out, the rising pattern by the PRC to say itself and to be provocative in areas directed in direction of U.S. allies and our companions within the Indo Pacific. And we’ll proceed to stay steadfast in our dedication to making sure the safety of our companions. And we totally assist India’s ongoing efforts to deescalate this example. Let me come again to the room.
Idrees?
Q: Simply clarification on the associate patrols with the SDF. Are they restarting on the identical tempo as whenever you left off? And are they restarting as a result of there’s been a pause in air strikes? After which I’ve a separate query.
GEN. RYDER: Certain. So, I would refer you to CENTCOM to get extra specifics, however my understanding is sure, they’ve reviewed they’ve totally resumed the tempo of patrols previous to the earlier suspension of these.
Q: And on a separate observe, there was a Reuters — Reuters story yesterday in regards to the Nigerian eyewitness accounts of the Nigerian navy killing civilians, together with kids. Do you have got a remark? Are you reviewing any of the navy help given to Nigeria?
GEN. RYDER: So, once more, the studies are very regarding. We assist the State Division’s efforts on this, you already know, what they’ve mentioned publicly and would name once more on — on an investigation to happen by the Nigerian authorities. However past that, I would refer you to the State Division. Thanks.
Travis?
Q: Thanks, Pat. Do you have got any replace or further info on the elevated U.S. rotations to Australia, notably numbers, items, whenever you anticipate these new rotations to start? And moreover, is that anticipated simply to be in Darwin, or is that they are going to be new services in Australia for these rotations?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Travis. So, as you already know, as a part of the AUSMIN discussions, this was an space that Secretary Austin highlighted was a part of the dialogue. And that was to take a look at growing the variety of rotational deployments. What I might inform you is when it comes to the following steps, our staffs will work collectively to establish the specifics of these, however they are going to entail air, land and sea alternatives. And so, as extra particulars turn out to be out there, we’ll — we’ll you should definitely present these.
Q: Is there any type of timeline and when do you assume extra particulars is perhaps launched? Is it one thing close to time period? Or is it going to be just a few months out? Any sense of that?
GEN. RYDER: I can inform you that there is a variety of curiosity in transferring this ahead. However I do not wish to put a timeline on it proper now. Thanks.
Kassim?
Q: Normal, a comply with up on the — on patrols. Are you able to inform us if these patrols are actually nearer to the Turkish border? Or are they additional down within the south? After which I’ve one other separate query.
GEN. RYDER: Once more, I refer you to CENTCOM for extra specifics. However my understanding is, once more, they’re resuming the patrols that they performed beforehand and, once more with out moving into specifics into the precise areas, however within the operations areas that they beforehand had been conducting operations in.
Q: Additionally final week, we heard some, like we heard from you from the State Division that you’re not encouraging, you are not enabling Ukrainian forces to strike the Russian posts in Russian territory. However we additionally noticed some tales in that now after the Russians placing increasingly inside Ukraine and focusing on infrastructure, the Pentagon is okay with the Ukrainians to strike contained in the Russian territories. I imply, the official Russian state territories. Might you verify or what — has there been any change within the Protection Division’s place?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Kassim. So, look, our focus is on enabling Ukraine to defend their territory. They had been invaded by Russia nearly a 12 months in the past. You recognize, we have seen some vital progress by them on the entrance strains to take territory again, and that is still our focus is. I believe you have heard others say, there isn’t any curiosity in escalation of this battle. We stay solely targeted on serving to Ukraine, defendants’ nation and take again its sovereign territory. Thanks.
Q: Thanks, Normal. Stepping away from any particular system, just like the Patriots, however a system that entails normally a variety of coaching for U.S. personnel, what half or elements of the Pentagon say, “OK, how will we make this coaching abbreviated so we are able to get the Ukrainians to make use of it faster? Am I making myself…?”
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, OK. I believe you are asking me to take a position.
Q: No, no, no. I am asking, is there a particular group of parents right here on the Pentagon who mentioned, “We’ve got to give you ways in which make coaching simpler?”
GEN. RYDER: So, broadly talking, let’s use HIMARS, for an instance, or NASAMS, proper? So any of these techniques as a part of the method goes to ivolve looking at what it might require to coach the Ukrainians, what it might require for them to maintain it, after which function it proper. And so, in order that’s going to be constructed into any plan to supply tools to the Ukrainians. And so, within the case of HIMARS, offering them with, working with on this case, the Army, the U.S. Army, to take a look at what the coaching program would seem like, and the way we might facilitate that in the best, environment friendly method doable.
Q: So, to ensure I am understanding you appropriately. So, within the case of HIMARS, such as you mentioned, the Army, these people with the, “OK, how can we have a look at the best way to the coaching finest fitted to the must get it there rapidly?”
GEN. RYDER: Appropriate.
Q: Faster? OK.
GEN. RYDER: OK. All proper. No downside. Let me go to the telephones right here and I will come proper — yeah?
Q: Simply might you give us an thought in regards to the scope of the coaching. Normal, I imply, what number of Ukrainians are being educated in Germany or elsewhere proper now? And what number of U.S. troopers or service members are concerned in coaching the Ukrainians?
GEN. RYDER: Jim, we are able to get these numbers for you. I haven’t got them proper right here in entrance of me. However U.S. European Command does have a quantity that they’ve offered when it comes to “by-system” that we are able to get that to you.
OK, let me get on the telephone right here. Will Dunlop, AFP?
Q: Hello, thanks. So, with out moving into particular techniques, the U.S. and different nations have been working to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses for a few months now. Now the place does that course of stand? And the way shut is Ukraine to having the required air defenses in place? Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Will. So, you already know, from a U.S. standpoint, we have been offering Ukraine with air protection techniques for some time now. Once more, I discussed the NASAMS, we have offered Stingers, we have offered counter UAS capabilities. And it is in — it is not simply the U.S., as you already know, our allies and worldwide companions have been doing the identical. And so, we proceed to seek the advice of and advise our Ukrainian companions on how finest to combine their air protection techniques. Within the meantime, once more, as I discussed earlier, we acknowledge that with the air menace that Russia poses to Ukraine, that air protection continues to be a precedence matter of debate with regards to safety help. And so, we’ll proceed to take a look at ways in which we are able to finest assist Ukraine to guard their inhabitants, and to guard their — their broader infrastructure to have the ability to survive these assaults. I may even say that we proceed to see Ukraine make use of to nice impact the capabilities that they’ve, and with out going into particular numbers, can say that, that they’ve been in a position to efficiently intercept, in lots of instances destroy, Russian missile and drone strikes. However all that mentioned, we have all seen the photographs on tv, and social media of these missiles and drones that did get by way of and so we all know that extra continues to must be achieved. Thanks.
All proper. Let me go to Heather, USNI.
Q: Nice. Going again to the vaccines that we had been discussing final week, COVID-19. Now that the Home has handed the NDAA and it appears to be like doubtless that the Senate will too, has there been any preparation for what is going to occur as soon as the — a vaccine mandate is now not allowed to be in impact?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah. Thanks, Heather. So, as — as talked about, once more, we’re not going to touch upon potential or pending laws. You have heard us be very clear that the Secretary nonetheless helps sustaining the mandate. And we’ll simply go away it at that. Thanks.
Alright, let me return to the room. Yeah?
Q: Thanks a lot, Normal Ryder. A query on oversight. A GAO report got here out this week that mentioned fairly a little bit of additional actions are wanted to implement predictive upkeep to maintain weapon techniques. This comes almost twenty years after DoD first talked about predictive upkeep as a precedence. And the report itself requires extra sustained focus from management. And so, I used to be questioning, is {that a} concern that has reached you and OSD? And the place does predictive upkeep stand as technological precedence in your view for the navy coming within the subsequent 12 months?
GEN. RYDER: Yep. Thanks very a lot for the query. I’ve not seen the report, however we are able to actually take that query and are available again to you. Thanks.
Let me go to Courtney.
Q: Did, does the U.S. navy have any function within the detention or transferring the Lockerbie suspect?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Courtney, admire it. So, because it pertains to the Lockerbie suspect, I would refer you to the Division of Justice. I simply haven’t got something to supply from right here on that.
Q: However I am asking particularly a couple of U.S. navy function now that he is right here. I do not know if there could be any operational safety. So, I imply, was he used on U.S. — was he moved on a U.S. navy aircraft? Was there any function?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah. And once more, I, I am not going to have any info to supply from right here. So, I would refer you to the DOJ because it was their operation to carry him again. And actually, they’re those to speak to the assorted elements of how they did that. And yeah, simply go away it at that. Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: Tony?
Q: About Patriots yet another time. Possibly it is a suicide mission, however are Patriots to Ukraine below lively consideration by the administration? I believe a senior protection official mentioned just a few weeks in the past, however simply certain, that’s it below lively consideration. You simply cannot discuss in regards to the standing of the evaluate.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Tony. So, once more, haven’t got something to announce. As a matter of coverage, we’re not going to preview or talk about potential or speculate on any safety help previous to any kind of bulletins. So, or talk about whether or not or not it might or might not be into consideration. We constantly have a look at a variety of capabilities. And when and if we’ve one thing to announce, we’ll you should definitely do this.
Q: Now, I must ask you an NDAA query. And never — not a greenback query. However buried in there’s a part that criticizes the Pentagon’s ubiquitous, sustained and overwhelming use of the Managed Unclassified Info label. It talks in regards to the uneven software of CUI. They usually’re involved in regards to the extent and efficacy of coaching, oversight and steering offered to DoD officers who put the stamp on every part however espresso cups. You have been right here a very long time. Is that label being overused, and does the Senate, do the Senate and Home legislators have some extent, that it is time to evaluate and difficulty some steering and when to make use of this label?
GEN. RYDER: Yep, thanks. So, once more, given the truth that that is pending laws, I actually do not wish to get into that. I’ll say that we’ve insurance policies and procedures in place with regards to the classification of data all through the Division. So proper now, I haven’t got any bulletins to make when it comes to modifications to these insurance policies. However actually, if and once we do, we’ll you should definitely let you already know.
Q: It isn’t pending. Each the Home and the Senate have permitted and this president — president hasn’t signed it but.
GEN. RYDER: So, that is pending laws.
Q: Properly, come on. You are briefing CUI, too. I imply is — is that this factor overused out of your skilled expertise? You have been right here awhile and you have seen the markings change left and proper.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Tony. My response is CUI. Sorry.
Let me go to the again of the room right here.
Q: (INAUDIBLE) Broadcasting Company. Yesterday, Australia signed a legally binding safety pact with Vanuatu. Was America concerned in any respect with these discussions? And what’s your general view of the significance of that in safety preparations within the Pacific?
GEN. RYDER: I admire the query. I haven’t got any perception into that. We will actually take that query and are available again to you. Thanks.
Sir?
Q: Thanks, Normal. Does Secretary Austin immediately strategy U.S. issues about Chinese language involvement in Africa throughout his assembly with the African leaders? And the way a lot that might harm U.S. navy relations with these nations? Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: Yep. Thanks very a lot. So, effectively — we’ll actually you should definitely present a readout of the — the discussions in the present day. We do proceed to speak with our companions that participating in sure sorts of actions with the PRC might have some adverse ramifications on their relationships with us. So, for instance, you have heard varied leaders discuss in regards to the challenges related to Huawei telecommunications basing points. So, that will probably be an merchandise of continued dialogue, I am positive. However past that, I haven’t got any further particulars.
OK, let me return out to the telephone right here actual fast. Carla Babb, VOA?
Q: Hey, thanks a lot for doing this. Pat. I’ve a query on Belarus. There’s studies popping out of navy convoys transferring within the course of the Ukrainian border in Belarus. Is the Pentagon involved a couple of doable escalation of struggle or a reinvasion from the North?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Carla. So, we — we clearly proceed to maintain a detailed eye on the state of affairs within the area to incorporate actions in Belarus. I do not wish to get into particular intelligence, however I’ll say that it is our evaluation proper now that we don’t see any kind of impending cross-border exercise by Belarus at the moment.
Let me go to Tara after which I am gonna return to the telephone.
Q: And if this one must be taken, it is OK. Are you able to give us a breakdown of the price of the Patriot missile protection system and the way a lot one of many missile interceptors prices?
GEN. RYDER: We will get again to you with no matter we’ve that is publicly out there and never CUI on that.
Q: Basically, the place its efficiency, the way it would slot in with the NASAMS, and all of the air protection techniques that you have offered. How it might work with others?
GEN. RYDER: OK. Yeah, we are able to, I imply, so broadly talking, you already know, simply any — any kind of built-in air protection system goes to take a look at the assorted capabilities primarily based on the assorted threats and the concepts that they might work along with the command and management perform to have the ability to — to handle these. However perceive the intent of your query, and we’ll take that again and are available again with no matter we —
Q: Motion and when it comes to space of protection like what the realm of safety the Patriot provides versus NASAMS versus…
GEN. RYDER: Completely, yeah, let me let me come again to you on that one. OK. I will come proper again to you Jannie.
Let me go to the telephone right here. Lara Seligman, Politico?
Q: Hello, Pat. Thanks for doing this. Simply to return to the Patriot query for a minute. We have heard from senior DoD officers that Patriot is likely one of the techniques the U.S. is contemplating going to Ukraine. So, with out confirming whether or not this announcement is imminent, are you able to speak about whether or not the Division is contemplating transferring current Patriot techniques or new contracts, and contracting for brand spanking new techniques with the producer? Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Lara. Once more, and with nice respect and apologies to all of you, I do not imply to sound like a damaged document right here. However once more, I am not going to, I haven’t got something to announce. And I am not going to speak about or speculate on issues that will or might not be into consideration. And as all the time, when and if there’s one thing to announce, we’ll you should definitely — to try this. Thanks. All proper.
Let me return right here. Sure, ma’am?
Q: Thanks. Japan is predicted to announce its new nationwide safety methods. And the draft of nationwide safety technique states that Japan and the U.S. will work collectively concerning Japan’s new counter-strike functionality that strikes enemy missile bases. And my query is, how has the U.S. coordinated with Japan thus far on Japan’s place of counter-strike functionality? And the way will the U.S. proceed such discussions with Japan following the discharge of Japan’s NSS?
GEN. RYDER: Certain. Properly, we have all the time been very clear that the USA broadly helps efforts of our allies and our companions to incorporate Japan, in bolstering their self-defense capabilities. However, because it pertains to Japan’s protection technique or any capabilities that they make, or doctrine that they might be looking for to implement. I would refer you to the Authorities of Japan for that. Thanks. All proper. Let me do yet another from the telephone right here.
Gordon Lubold, the Wall Avenue Journal.
Q: Thanks. My query has been requested and never answered just a few instances. So, I believe I will yield my time. Thanks.
GEN. RYDER: All proper. OK. Thanks very a lot, girls and gents. Respect it.
Luis after which Jannie.
Q: Two — two parter. First, do you have got an replace on what number of missiles it’s believed that Russia has fired. You recognize, precision guided missiles, missiles Russia has fired into Ukraine? We used to get these, that type of info earlier than. Simply questioning for those who see something that got here up that gives an replace.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, I haven’t got any specifics to supply on numbers.
Q: Again on November 29 , I’ll quote you right here, you mentioned concerning dialogue of Patriots you mentioned “Proper now, we’ve no plans to supply Patriot batteries to Ukraine. However once more, we’ll should proceed to have these discussions.” While you had been speaking about these discussions, had been you referring internally, or had been you referring to discussions with Ukraine? And does your assertion from November nonetheless maintain, that proper now we’ve no plans to supply Patriots to Ukraine?
GEN. RYDER: Yeah. So, once more, Luis, I haven’t got something to announce. And for those who have a look at the — the length of this marketing campaign, and the — the best way that the USA has labored with our allies and companions to supply safety help to Ukraine by way of mechanisms just like the protection contact group, there’s an ongoing dialogue to constantly have a look at Ukraine’s safety help wants. And as these wants evolve, primarily based on the state of affairs on the bottom, and primarily based on the menace, we proceed to have these inside conversations not solely inside the U.S. Division of Protection, however with the broader worldwide neighborhood. And one of many issues that I can, that I might say that we have been very constant about is, as necessities have developed, and as we have labored with Ukraine, making an attempt to quickly get these capabilities to the battlefield. You noticed a couple of month in the past, a bit of over a month in the past, when Russia began massively bombarding Ukraine from the air, we had been in a position to in a short time work with our allies and companions to get air protection capabilities there to incorporate NASAMS, and we have got six extra on the best way. So, you already know, proper now, once more, I haven’t got something to announce. However we’ll proceed to adapt, we’ll are inclined to proceed to remain versatile, and we’ll proceed to work with Ukraine to make sure they’re getting what they want. So, simply go away it at that.
Jannie?
Q: Thanks. I simply — thanks, sir. I simply adopted on my earlier questions. China has warned South Korea to not be part of the U.S. missile protection system. How will you touch upon this (INAUDIBLE)? What would you occur if South Korea didn’t take part within the U.S. missile protection?
GEN. RYDER: Once more, Jannie, I apologize. I simply do not wish to speak about hypotheticals. Once more, the Republic of Korea continues to be a detailed ally. We’ll proceed to work alongside them shoulder to shoulder to defend not solely South Korea, but in addition the broader Indo-Pacific area. Thanks.
Thanks, girls and gents.
