Hagel: US Needs to Maintain Military Superiority
The U.S. military's technological superiority is being challenged by other nations, including China and Russia, and in order to maintain its dominance America must be more innovative in how it develops and buys new technologies, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel told industry leaders here Wednesday.
In a speech to members of the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance at a conference on defense innovation, Hagel said that unsophisticated militaries and terrorist groups are acquiring destructive weapons, and Moscow and Beijing are modernizing their armed services, including their electronic warfare and special operations capabilities.
And unless the U.S. takes these challenges seriously, he said American troops could face advanced weapons and technologies on the battlefield that will put their lives at risk.
"We are entering an era where American dominance on the seas, in the skies, and in space not to mention cyberspace can no longer be taken for granted," said Hagel. "And while the United States continues to maintain a decisive military and technological edge over any potential adversary, our continued superiority is not a given."
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/hagel-us-maintain-military-superiority-25232419