[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},"mediaId",6086106,"mediaKeyId","2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3","parentId",2899409,"title","Committee hears EUCOM concerns about cyber, space and undersea risks to allied operations","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",7984000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3&start=7984&end=7984","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3/thumbnail_7984000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6086106/Committee-hears-EUCOM-concerns-about-cyber-space-and-undersea-risks-to-allied-operations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086106-90f6503d37ec4f99c953ed5835c336bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773712031&Signature=jgkFGTctyAOKwe6VEWRAeAWiYSGTVivO4ovdNxhPVf1fgryKs6ryJWSdylD7vDGaWlZG~ULh3~DlPTF5qnyLWVYfWs~azRwHNZ28-h8gatHXNZzPhvryRuQ6X-EZJnPs7vXT0HCBsfqnB8SYZQy3sh1J2nX3H9kbYgiXoSzN4X9YflImKPKXplHEX2-6gIczoH1hR4E0YVqbjDZ~TSuG7eOPqB80uFu09dWzcmoNKjQn01qHxzC1crLMSKuilPZ~yj-SimBN7GgYFu9NFMj2WfVAnYvqvI4TbLgPqxKLgsg0t8VZdWIh1fCDtAdipRETign962zYTM4PpJgct2DxAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Armed Services Committee","date","2025-04-04T15:14:47Z","article","General Christopher Cavoli told the committee that space and cyber capabilities are “a contested environment” and that adversary capabilities have been growing. He said space capabilities are essential to operations and that Russia and China have been expanding their capacities.

On cyber, witnesses described two principal categories of Russian operations: influence and information operations, and technical cyber intrusions into networks. Cavoli said EUCOM “depends very, very heavily on U.S. Cyber Command” and the 16th Air Force for defensive and cooperative work with allies. Several members expressed concern about leadership continuity at Cyber Command and the NSA and asked the department to provide clear succession plans.

Lawmakers and Cavoli discussed undersea threats and anti-submarine warfare. Cavoli outlined the combined nature of anti-submarine efforts — submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and surface vessels — and pointed to allied contributions (Norway, the U.K., Denmark, Iceland) and the GIUK gap mission to monitor Russian submarines. He also described a NATO-led maritime surveillance effort (Baltic Century) that stitched together allied ships and radars to monitor surface and subsurface activity.

Members raised reports of potential sabotage of undersea infrastructure and noted growing Chinese investments in European ports and 5G infrastructure as strategic access and surveillance risks. Cavoli said allies have intervened in some cases to block problematic infrastructure deals and noted that exercising a broad set of port facilities helps the alliance understand access implications in a crisis.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","20250408: Full Hearing: U.S. Military Posture and National Security Challenges in Europe","oneSentenceSummary","EUCOM and lawmakers discussed cyber operations, space capabilities, undersea cables and anti-submarine cooperation; witnesses said adversaries are improving space and cyber tools and allies must coordinate to protect critical infrastructure and maritime access.","taxTitle","Armed Services: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1833,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},6086110,"Panel warns Congress: production bottlenecks, FMS issues and drone-era munitions shortfalls constrain allies",4015,3097000,7112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3&start=3097&end=7112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3/thumbnail_3097000.jpg","/articles/6086110/Panel-warns-Congress-production-bottlenecks-FMS-issues-and-drone-era-munitions-shortfalls-constrain-allies","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086110-8d43e4d7961d1e6856525995bfd16085/orig.mp4?Expires=1773712031&Signature=G6cwLlXz8WCZ6J7sMTlMQYPmtwf~bUH4EjBYVXR5U~Mzrq13X3UmlIBGC3Fvwcb3p~WTdXrRWJg~SmBCIYTg8PZv1lI01saGo7JCSiOJR98YkymK5ZRDFcm4WzgZTiBbJSa3NZ7XYNVMuLKk64GYFeDvx~lzjCJ9JMHc0TbNXCkM7eaLMZKxfx1EoNhN~NYXqEey3-LRG6xPAxDexKMT6NsygZJHYKUemsL0v13dXoEo014qVHT2jLqjoHdJIhJmhWDROvcrOEiNvqlvx4MmW7BD01uPibxzwQJGDAcCuNHrYxTPtUHgNvisdH7GAZM4MJyLLsd8DibtYtUgDyfnmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers and military leaders told the committee that allied rearmament is under way but that industrial capacity — both U.S. and European — is a critical bottleneck.

General Christopher Cavoli said allies are “putting money up against that shopping list” of capability requirements but warned: “There is a lack of production capacity right now.” He added that if nations increase defense spending, “there's gotta be something in the store to buy.”

Members pressed for specifics: Cavoli and others noted long-standing delays in foreign military sales (FMS) and that Europe is seeking more U.S. equipment. Congressman Turner and others discussed gaps in U.S. production of key systems and munitions and asked how the United States will scale to meet both allied purchases and Ukraine’s urgent needs.

Several witnesses and lawmakers focused on the fast evolution of small, low-cost, software-defined systems such as FPV (first-person-view) drones. Cavoli said those systems have inflicted large numbers of Russian casualties and are being produced at scale; one witness estimated Ukraine could produce millions of low-cost drones this year. Members warned that U.S. production and procurement processes are not yet optimized for high-rate, low-cost manufacturing at the scale seen in the conflict.

Committee discussion also addressed U.S. munitions stockage and the need to replenish facilities such as the Crane Army Ammunition Activity, which stores large quantities of conventional munitions. Lawmakers called for funding and acquisition reforms to accelerate production and to prioritize munition types that are currently being expended in large numbers.","Witnesses and members told the committee that European allies are increasing defense spending but face procurement and production limits; lawmakers raised concerns about U.S. defense industrial capacity, foreign military sales delays, munitions stockpiles and low-cost drone production in Ukraine.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},6086115,"Lawmakers, commanders honor four U.S. service members killed in Lithuania; allies praised for recovery efforts",394,2114000,2508000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3&start=2114&end=2508","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3/thumbnail_2114000.jpg","/articles/6086115/Lawmakers-commanders-honor-four-US-service-members-killed-in-Lithuania-allies-praised-for-recovery-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086115-c8f1a46fb7d2a1335a56405ab28aa3cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773712031&Signature=PqeGHaWlbT8vwb9BWwuZ-SX5fA-1qaAUehKYGSN-LzPAVTlVxBYT8sJPIb6uv6SvCLVk1dyHgUlWW729p9CTa8nxwNHQI5b25B6XLFo4O7qwuNMMv88sXrYRKhtp~Oplg3rU4~qZvHuCzlowBKHuOuJkia8OJrkOuH43UO4j80kYys1aYxQ16TE4s~5~5EUANfz24XEH30D2jjXXrGzBRSEgDuAYI~SUgpF519Q7KrkohD7M6PG7lVYL6-9lHQaf3uLikO5RJqgmatCluKiH-Ld5efuSbekkyAr35Rcss5ATWW3WqaRmrjhMSQiOqUn34IhErsN1isZnxJQv1JH0BQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Armed Services Committee opened its hearing by honoring four U.S. service members who died in a training accident in Lithuania while conducting tactical operations. Members and witnesses named the fallen and expressed condolences to their families.

General Christopher Cavoli told the committee he had visited Lithuania to inspect recovery operations and described the local response: “The minister of defense of Lithuania was on that site every single day until those soldiers were recovered.” Cavoli said the people and government of Lithuania showed exceptional support, including a mass at the cathedral in Vilnius attended by thousands.

Katherine Thompson also expressed condolences and thanked Lithuania, Poland and Estonia “who provided exceptional support, during the recovery operation.” Lawmakers across the aisle repeatedly thanked allies for assisting in the dignified transfer and praised military personnel involved in the response.

Committee members named the four soldiers while addressing the hearing. Several members noted the allies’ role in recovery operations and used the occasion to underscore the broader security partnership in Europe.","Congress and military leaders paused the hearing to recognize the deaths of four U.S. soldiers in a March training accident in Lithuania; General Cavoli and the Pentagon thanked Lithuanian, Polish and Estonian partners for recovery and dignified transfer support.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},6086120,"Witnesses and lawmakers spar over whether a ceasefire is taking hold in Ukraine",1069,2228000,3297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3&start=2228&end=3297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3/thumbnail_2228000.jpg","/articles/6086120/Witnesses-and-lawmakers-spar-over-whether-a-ceasefire-is-taking-hold-in-Ukraine","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086120-235ffbf861996f866ccee3bbf76ee110/orig.mp4?Expires=1773712031&Signature=Ylot8Qn3oF55wJEmmT2prQV67J28YBrjq8je5SOv0VEXz4gzllq~KGr4CgTOw9pkF7q97d8eZOdDRKXvbeZuMHKlCGu4H7VTvIT65Tx3a-mUQ6ny4RHXjkdAQ1oMqH5t7uB-u5od8ECXOmR6SicO0S9vy2uvxwaxONA8SYwOLcxSq0DsecRwcm3zLqyFscNS0yCUSVtRdw9-lxlffu2IunbSmexWiQL6fhInmj-lO4ZKysMmxv0taiAv-S2llu-GAN0IR7Hl9nms445iLvzYh5eSWmcC4x6W-4O42-yVwg9n3jE8QAY628-rNL7RU5t2aXy1-7wwk~4qMlEZwKEqLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katherine Thompson, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for International and Security Affairs, told the committee the administration is engaged in diplomacy “to get both sides to the table” and that “the contours of a lasting peace are coming into view.”

Members challenged the characterization. Representative Seth Moulton cited recent missile and drone strikes and asked whether the pattern of attacks was consistent with Thompson’s statement that an initial ceasefire is “holding.” Thompson declined to say more in open session and offered to provide additional details in closed session. Representative Moulton and others said the ongoing strikes — which members described as recent attacks that killed civilians — undercut assertions of a broader ceasefire.

General Christopher Cavoli described battlefield dynamics: he said Ukrainian forces had established a salient in the northeastern front and that Russian advances have “petered out” in multiple sectors in recent weeks. Cavoli said Ukraine remained capable of holding and in some places regaining ground and that “I do not see the Ukrainians being in imminent danger of collapse.”

The witnesses and lawmakers also discussed Security Assistance Group Ukraine (SAGU), a U.S.-led organization that coordinated deliveries of munitions and equipment. Cavoli said SAGU delivered critical supplies for 38 months and that NATO was creating structures to take over much of that mission.

Throughout the hearing, members pressed the administration on objectives: some asked whether the United States should explicitly aim for a Ukrainian military victory; others framed the priority as ending the fighting quickly. Thompson emphasized the administration’s focus on negotiations and described some limited progress on “energy infrastructure” ceasefire talks, but she repeatedly declined to characterize the war as stopped in open session.

Lawmakers also raised concerns about intelligence sharing and a recent administrative pause on some offensive cyber activities, asking whether that pause affected operational security and force protection. Cavoli said specifics about intelligence and cyber posture were matters for closed session but stressed the continued need for sustained intelligence cooperation among allies.","Pentagon and EUCOM witnesses described negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine but acknowledged the fighting continues; lawmakers challenged assertions that a ceasefire is in place and pressed for clearer, actionable policy.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_46":116,"_48":117,"_50":118,"_52":119,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":120,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":121,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":71,"_73":71},6086125,"House Armed Services hearing: EUCOM, lawmakers urge keeping U.S. force posture in Europe",210,2819000,3029000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3&start=2819&end=3029","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2899409-97c979dfe911b49ab1635f37715748a3/thumbnail_2819000.jpg","/articles/6086125/House-Armed-Services-hearing-EUCOM-lawmakers-urge-keeping-US-force-posture-in-Europe","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6086125-5c321e57bb729e0aabdcc51fc8c518ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1773712031&Signature=Y6zlnX4BFedkE7K0zgm0Joe-FeMs1pp0Q6c9koj~zWG5DIC54YtPze1mw-DpToaPyvU~SLcXVJcP3-be4RGlSJeB0NyI1Pbi4erd~AtYjWO9FhMCcgEikhmYZDpnm6182Q74EvCd3qwkhX45ypCgLearKSO8cU1GjMSq6p7m~L-gVVx~uny2uCsrB0KhpPQ97pc48Ouih-SKcprN1j~nbrqjPyO2wQMiTCY6GxZusvHVTmcOYZKD7K3wlF9L3vrvO-EkPu5AjLXI1OcRvCfJDQyDjegjDfvfqX1ssgYmttZLMLJpRb2nSRavPvgWSg3ZLjgwnl6~rsdKr6sTQKkXkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","General Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command, told the House Armed Services Committee that he advises “to maintain that force posture, as it is now.” The comment came during a hearing focused on the United States’ military posture in Europe and the threats posed by Russia and other adversaries.

The committee opened with condolences for four U.S. service members who died during a training accident in Lithuania and then turned to questions about force posture, NATO burdensharing and whether the Department of Defense will reduce rotational or forward-deployed units in Europe. Cavoli said U.S. presence in Europe supports deterrence and rapid response and underlines tasks such as anti-submarine operations and missile-defense cooperation that contribute to homeland defense.

Katherine Thompson, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for International and Security Affairs, told lawmakers that the department is conducting a global force posture review and that “no decisions have been made at this time.” She said the review will weigh U.S. priorities across theaters and follow presidential guidance. Thompson reiterated the administration’s push for allies to increase defense spending and to take a larger role in sustaining European defense capabilities.

Members of the committee pressed for clarity about specific troop movements and the risks of reducing forces, particularly on NATO’s eastern flank. Cavoli repeated that reducing rotational brigades or prepositioned forces would increase the time and distance required to respond to a crisis and stressed the unique command relationships and basing arrangements that make forward presence effective.

The discussion also returned repeatedly to the NATO command role. Cavoli described the operational advantages of having an American officer as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, saying that an American in that post “has a very loud voice inside Europe” and that allied militaries “want American leadership.”

The department’s posture review, as described by Thompson, remains ongoing. Lawmakers repeatedly asked that Congress be consulted before any major changes to force posture are executed, and several members urged preserving current surge surges and rotational presences until allied capabilities and industrial capacity can reliably carry greater burdens.","At a House Armed Services Committee hearing, Gen. Christopher Cavoli and a senior Pentagon official recommended maintaining U.S. forces in Europe amid concerns about Russia’s military rebuilding and NATO cohesion; the Department of Defense said a global posture review is ongoing and no decisions have been made.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears EUCOM concerns about cyber, space and undersea risks to allied operations

Panel warns Congress: production bottlenecks, FMS issues and drone-era munitions shortfalls constrain allies

Lawmakers, commanders honor four U.S. service members killed in Lithuania; allies praised for recovery efforts

Witnesses and lawmakers spar over whether a ceasefire is taking hold in Ukraine

House Armed Services hearing: EUCOM, lawmakers urge keeping U.S. force posture in Europe