TEXAS January 13, 2026 – In a bold critique of traditional U.S. military procurement practices, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has urged the Department of War (DOW) to abandon lengthy development cycles plagued by delays and cost overruns. Speaking in a video clip shared by the DOW’s Rapid Response team on X (formerly Twitter), Hegseth emphasized the need for a “new playbook” inspired by Elon Musk’s innovative approach to engineering and production.
The remarks, delivered from a podium branded “The Arsenal of Freedom” with the Pentagon’s emblem visible, highlight growing frustrations within the administration over inefficiencies in defense contracting. “We need to be blunt here: WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO WAIT A DECADE for our legacy primes to deliver the next ‘perfect system’… only to find that it is delivered years behind schedule and costs ten times what it should,” Hegseth stated in the 29-second clip.
He went on to praise Musk’s methodology, describing it as an “algorithm” that involves questioning every requirement, eliminating unnecessary ones, and accelerating development. “Winning requires a new playbook. Elon wrote it with his algorithm: question every requirement, delete the dumb ones, and accelerate like hell,” the post quoted him as saying.
The video, posted by the @DOWResponse account early Tuesday GMT, has garnered significant attention, amassing over 1,400 likes and 32,000 views within hours. The account, described as the official rapid response arm of the DOW supporting Hegseth’s mission and combating misinformation, tagged the Secretary directly in the share.
This push aligns with broader efforts under the current administration to streamline government operations, including initiatives from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), co-led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Critics of legacy defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, have long pointed to programs like the F-35 fighter jet, which has faced billions in overruns and years of delays, as emblematic of systemic issues.
Hegseth, a former Fox News host and Army National Guard veteran appointed as Secretary of War following President Donald Trump’s return to office, has made reforming the military-industrial complex a priority. His comments echo Musk’s philosophy at companies like SpaceX and Tesla, where rapid iteration and cost-cutting have disrupted traditional industries.
Reactions on X were mixed but largely supportive among conservative users. One commenter noted, “This is so much more important than people realize,” while another highlighted recent deals like the $200 million xAI-DoD partnership as proof that agile innovation can deliver results quickly. However, some expressed skepticism, with one user calling for action against foreign influences near U.S. military sites.
The full context of the speech, including its venue and audience, remains unclear from the clip, but it appears to be part of a larger address on modernizing America’s defense capabilities amid global tensions. The DOW has not yet released an official transcript or additional details.
As the U.S. faces evolving threats from adversaries like China and Russia, Hegseth’s call for speed and efficiency could signal a pivot toward integrating private-sector disruptors into national security strategies. Analysts suggest this could lead to increased collaboration with tech firms, potentially reshaping how the Pentagon acquires weapons and technology.
Life News Agency will continue monitoring developments from the DOW and provide updates as more information emerges.
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