Ashley Roque

INDOPACOM Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo's comments come as the department begins detailing plans to spend $12 billion next year for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.

“We're making them put skin in the game … and we expect them to meet the ramp rates that they agree to. And, if they don't, there'll be penalties for them,” said Jules “Jay” Hurst, who is performing the duties of the Pentagon comptroller.

Members of the House Armed Services Committee also pressed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the recent firing of Army and Navy leaders.

“Why do we suddenly have a two part budget where this committee and the Congress generally has oversight and input, to a process where a corner of the budget is essentially a slush fund?” asked Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, during a SASC hearing.

“This decision follows a thorough review of the Department’s force posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell wrote in a brief statement.

The possible deals include three countries buying APKWS, and Qatar could be purchasing more Patriot interceptors.

Analysts tell Breaking Defense that Project Freedom, the new plan to clear the Strait of Hormuz, will carry increased risk to US forces.

The Army said the AMPV 30 is not a replacement option for the XM30 program, but an executive said the vehicle "fits a different envelope."

He has been ‘performing the duties’ since August 2025 and oversaw the crafting and rollout of the $1.5 billion defense request for 2027.

A number of factors may "lead even long-standing allies and partners to question whether or not it's wise to continue to depend on the United States for essential defense articles and services,” one analyst said. By Ashley Roque on June 03, 2026 10:02 am Share Options Share a link to this article