Hegseth says US slashed 20pc of its military leadership cadre

Washington: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday that the United States has cut the number of its generals and admirals by 20 per cent, claiming the move is aimed at "accountability". Hegseth told troops at the Quantico military base that 10 per cent of the generals and admirals have been fired, and the total number of general officer slots has decreased by another 10 per cent.

He described the reductions as an "accomplishment" and dismissed media claims of a "purge" as untrue. Hegseth's crackdown comes a year after a similar speech in which he criticized the US military for being too focused on leftist "woke" ideas and needed a major shake-up. According to Hegseth, officers who responded positively to his previous speech are now leading better-disciplined units, while those who did not "no longer work here."

The Pentagon chief has ordered major cuts to the military, including a 10 per cent reduction in the overall number of generals and admirals, and a 20 per cent decrease in the highest four-star ranks. Meanwhile, tech billionaire Elon Musk will co-lead a Pentagon study on the future of warfare, known as Project Meridian. Musk, who previously served as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, will work alongside Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey and former House speaker Newt Gingrich on the project.

Musk's involvement in the study has been welcomed by Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth, who sees innovators, technologists, and senior leaders as America's unique advantage over adversaries.