Speaking at the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday (30 May), US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth argued that military capability and defence investment remain central to maintaining international security and deterrence.
In one of the speech’s most direct remarks, Hegseth said: “We don’t need more conferences. We need more combat power… Less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs,” arguing that military strength is essential to underpin security commitments and strategic competition.
He also stated that “if you can’t back them up with hard power, the rules are not worth the paper they are written on,” emphasising the role of defence capabilities in supporting international security frameworks. Hegseth welcomed increased defence spending by European allies, saying many countries are now seeking to strengthen military readiness after years of underinvestment.
Highlighting the Trump administration’s defence priorities, Hegseth pointed to a proposed $1.5 trillion US defence budget, describing it as a “generational investment” aimed at expanding shipbuilding, missile defence, munitions production, emerging technologies, and Indo-Pacific military capabilities to strengthen long-term US deterrence and force posture.
ℹ️ The International Institute for Strategic Studies
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