News and reports from the Department of Defense, DOD.

Dr. Vipin Narang, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, and Mr. Vishwesh Negi, India's Joint Secretary for International Cooperation, convened for the second annual U.S.-India Advanced Domains Defense Dialogue (AD3) on May 23, 2024, at the Pentagon in Washington DC.

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced a significant new security assistance package today to address Ukraine's critical security and defense needs. This marks the Biden Administration’s fifty-eighth tranche of equipment provided from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021. It is the fifth security assistance package authorized by President Biden since signing the national security supplemental last month, including three Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) packages.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Department of Defense Spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout:

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks signed a memorandum on May 13 to establish policy and provide implementation guidance for the Defense Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Due Diligence Program.

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

The United States and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened a meeting of U.S.-GCC Defense Working Groups on Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) and Maritime Security in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 22, 2024.

The United States and Kuwait held the 15th U.S.-Kuwaiti Joint Military Commission (JMC) in Kuwait City from May 20-21, 2024. The Chief of Staff of the Kuwait Armed Forces, Lt. Gen. Bander Salem Al Muzaien, led the Kuwaiti delegation, while Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro headed the U.S. side. The JMC serves as a primary bilateral defense forum for senior officials from both nations to discuss strategic issues and advance their defense partnership.

Department of Defense Spokesperson Lisa Lawrence provided the following readout:

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of National Defense of the Republic of Niger convened in Niamey, Republic of Niger, from May 15 to 19, 2024. The meeting was part of a Joint Disengagement Commission aimed at coordinating the orderly and safe withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger. The discussions were conducted with complete transparency and mutual respect between both parties.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced on May 17, 2024, that the president has nominated several Navy Rear Admirals for appointment to higher ranks and new assignments.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has announced a $20 million award to South32 via the Defense Production Act Investment (DPAI) Program. The award is intended for South32's Hermosa Project, which aims to sustainably produce battery-grade manganese in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. The award aligns with the 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy's objective to continue and expand support for domestic production, thereby increasing supply chain resilience.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced on May 17, 2024, that the president has nominated several military officers for promotions and new assignments.

The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy has expressed its profound appreciation for Dr. John Plumb's exemplary service as the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy. Dr. Plumb, who served from March 2022 to May 2024, skillfully managed the Department's strategic capabilities for integrated deterrence, including space, nuclear weapons, missile defense, and countering weapons of mass destruction.