Hoeven Outlines Efforts to Strengthen Defense Ties in the Pacific, Ensure Effective Nuclear Deterrent & Enhance U.S. Domain Awareness

WASHINGTON – At a hearing of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee this week, U.S. Senator John Hoeven discussed with U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown and Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman efforts to deter China’s aggression and the importance of:

• Strengthening the ties between the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Pacific, including supporting the self-defense of South Korea and Taiwan.
  • Hoeven discussed how to enhance security cooperation with these partners, including expediting arms sales like the $19.5 billion in arms purchased by Taiwan from the U.S.
• Keeping the modernization of U.S. nuclear forces, including the dual nuclear missions in Minot, on or ahead of schedule to ensure an effective deterrent against adversaries like China and North Korea.
• Advancing the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite mission in Grand Forks and improving U.S. domain awareness to ensure U.S. military communications and airspace are secure.

“China is clearly growing more aggressive, both in its posturing toward Taiwan and others in the Pacific, as well as its blatant violations of U.S. airspace,” said Hoeven. “It’s critical that we strengthen our defense ties in the region, so our allies and partners can push back against China and North Korea. At the same time, we continue to make needed investments in U.S. nuclear forces to ensure an effective deterrent, while advancing new missions like the LEO satellite mission in Grand Forks to enhance the security and capabilities of U.S. military operations.” 

The hearing builds upon Hoeven’s visit to South Korea and Taiwan last week, where he worked to reaffirm their longstanding defense and trade ties with the U.S. to promote peace and prosperity in the Pacific region. At the same time, Hoeven is working to advance priorities to strengthen U.S. national security, ensure it can effectively deter the aggressions of its adversaries and enhance North Dakota’s role in the nation’s defense.

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