Austin's words were echoed by senior European officials, as the continent prepares for the inauguration of Donald Trump and what could look like a very different US foreign policy.
As US defense leaders and lawmakers debate national security this weekend, European allies prepare for shifting policies.
Mapping Europe’s modernization from the Eastern drone wall to actual artificial intelligence resident in tanks.
As a new administration is set to take the reins of the Pentagon, the counter-drone strategy revealed today is meant to “lay a foundation for the Department to be able to get after this threat in a way that will be successful and get ahead of the evolution that we're seeing,” a DoD official said.
"Not only will this allow the Philippines access to higher capabilities and big-ticket items from the United States, it will also open opportunities to pursue similar agreements with like-minded nations," Philippine Defense spokesman Arsenio Andolong said according to local media.
From the Ukraine conflict to battlefield tech to the Pentagon's ability to innovate, DoD officials often say that, sadly, they have no magical munitions.
Over the next year, South Korea and the US will stand up a defense science and technology executive committee to explore emerging tech and AUKUS Pillar II cooperation.
While humans must stay in the loop for kinetic decisions, empowering drones to operate autonomously is a force multiplier.
The speech came days after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump suggested Ukrainian leadership "let the war start."
"Adding a second submarine would require the Department to reduce the Next Generation Fighter program by $400 million, making the fighter program unexecutable and degrading the Navy's ability to field next generation aircraft capabilities required in the 2033 to 2037 timeframe,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
"The expectation is that Replicator 2 will assist with overcoming challenges we face in the areas of production capacity, technology innovation, authorities, policies, open system architecture and system integration, and force structure," Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said.
“[We] probably would need some time to figure out what the timetable is [for industry solicitations] because part of it requires three nations to commit funds, and so I wouldn't want to get ahead of anybody else's budget,” said a senior US defense official.
New entrants are filling unmet needs in air-and-missile defense.
“With changing governments, it provides an opportunity to review progress and sets a path for continued work,” said Pentagon spokesman Army Maj. Pete Nguyen.
"We have seen today groundbreaking discussions in respect of a much greater collaboration between our defense industry bases, particular in respect of the manufacture of guided weapons in Australia," Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
“This is really designed to support the modernization of Filipino forces and Coast Guard as they transition to focus on external defense,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Sherman will serve as the next Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.