US Needs to Reform Pentagon to Adapt to New Threats - House Speaker

US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said that it is necessary to reform the Department of Defense.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US government should take steps to reform the Department of Defense to enable it to promptly acquire capabilities and address new threats, US House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan said in a preview of his first major address in that position on Thursday.

"We have to reform the Pentagon, so it can adapt to new threats," Ryan state. "Acquire new capabilities more quickly — whether it’s advanced missile defense or directed energy weapons."

More than 40 percent of investments in the Defense Department’s portfolio were affected by cost growth and scheduling delays, according to the US Government Accountability Office.

In addition, Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Brad Carson said in June the Defense Department runs on a personnel system that has not changed in 70 years and is radically out of date.

Speaker Ryan is scheduled to deliver his first major address at the Library of Congress later on Thursday.

Ryan will talk about ways to tackle the challenges the United States faces and discuss steps to renew "the American Idea," according to the speaker’s press office.