Key Takeaways
- •The DISE is prioritizing FY 2027 investments in space-based ISR, AI integration, and countering the growing military cooperation between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
- •Lieutenant General James Adams (Director, Defense Intelligence Agency) warned that China's nuclear stockpile has surpassed 600 warheads and highlighted North Korea's deployment of 12,000 troops to Russia.
- •Rep. Patrick Ryan (D, NY-18) questioned Bradley Hansell (Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security) regarding the 2025 dismissal of a general and potential political bias in intelligence.
- •Members from both parties supported modernizing the defense industrial base, though Rep. Ronny Jackson (R, TX-13) specifically emphasized countering narco-terrorists and securing the Western Hemisphere.
- •These priorities will shape the FY 2027 budget as the enterprise transitions to the MARS database and expands commercial geospatial partnerships to maintain a decision advantage.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
This hearing examined the strategic posture, resource requirements, and technological priorities of the Defense Intelligence Enterprise (DISE) as it prepares for the Fiscal Year 2027 budget cycle. The discussion focused on the "pacing challenge" posed by the People's Republic of China, the ongoing conflicts involving Iranian proxies in the Middle East, and the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to manage exponential increases in data collection. Witnesses emphasized the need for a "new risk paradigm" to ensure the U.S. maintains a decision advantage over adversaries who are increasingly cooperating across domains.
Key Testimony & Policy
The Honorable Bradley Hansell, Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security, outlined four primary lines of effort for the DISE: defending the homeland against narco-terrorists and strategic threats; deterring China in the Indo-Pacific through survivable Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); increasing burden-sharing with allies; and "supercharging" the defense industrial base. Hansell noted that the FY 2027 budget request prioritizes space-based ISR and the transformation of the human intelligence enterprise to operate in environments of ubiquitous technical surveillance.
Lieutenant General James Adams, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), detailed the agency's transition from legacy systems to the Machine-assisted Analytic Rapid-repository System (MARS), a modernized foundational military intelligence database. He highlighted the success of Task Force Saber, an AI pilot program that has now transitioned into the Defense Modernization Accelerator to provide a centralized repository of AI tools for analysts. Adams also discussed "Postman," a developmental tool designed to professionalize and scale the collection of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).
General Joshua Rudd, Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, emphasized the critical importance of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), describing it as vital for tracking non-U.S. persons overseas. He highlighted the success of Operations Epic Fury and Absolute Resolve in the Middle East, which demonstrated the integration of signals intelligence and cyber effects. Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Michele Bredenkamp, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), testified that commercial GEOINT has become a "force multiplier," allowing the agency to focus national tactical assets on high-end threats while leveraging private sector imagery for broader situational awareness.
Notable Exchanges & Partisan Dynamics
Rep. Jason Crow (D, CO-6) engaged in a detailed line of questioning with Lt. Gen. Adams regarding the military targeting cycle. Following public reports of a strike on a girls' school in Iran, Rep. Crow sought clarification on how targeting databases are updated and at what stage legal reviews by Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers occur. Lt. Gen. Adams explained that while DIA supports targeting through the MARS database, the final validation and legal review happen at the Combatant Command level. He confirmed that a 15-6 investigation is underway regarding the specific incident in Iran.
Rep. Patrick Ryan (D, NY-18) raised concerns about the potential politicization of intelligence, specifically questioning the August 2025 firing of General Cruz. Rep. Ryan noted that Congress had received no formal explanation for the dismissal, which occurred shortly after a sensitive assessment regarding Iranian nuclear sites. Under Secretary Hansell declined to provide details in an open session, but all three uniformed witnesses—Gen. Rudd, Lt. Gen. Adams, and Lt. Gen. Bredenkamp—formally reaffirmed their commitment to providing objective, apolitical military advice.
Rep. Derek Tran (D, CA-45) discussed his legislation, the Combating Chinese Communist Party Influence Act, which would require a comprehensive interagency report on CCP global influence. Lt. Gen. Adams supported the initiative, noting that a classified annex would be necessary to truly refine counter-China planning and eliminate redundancies across the enterprise.
Organizations Mentioned
* People's Republic of China (China): Identified as the primary "pacing challenge," discussed regarding its 1,200+ satellites, growing nuclear stockpile, and aggressive actions in the South China Sea. * Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA): Discussed regarding its role in maintaining the foundational military intelligence database and its transition to the MARS system. * National Security Agency (NSA): Highlighted for its use of Section 702 FISA authorities and its integration with Cyber Command for operations in the Middle East. * National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA): Praised for its integration of commercial imagery and its focus on "human geography" to inform policymakers. * Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO): Mentioned as the central department authority for AI policy and procurement to prevent redundant vendor contracts. * Five Eyes: Cited by multiple witnesses as the core of international intelligence sharing and burden-sharing efforts. * United States Cyber Command (CYBERCOM): Discussed in the context of delivering cyber effects alongside signals intelligence to deter adversaries.
What's Next
The subcommittee moved into a classified session immediately following the open hearing to discuss specific budget figures and sensitive operational details. Future actions include the completion of the 15-6 investigation into the targeting error in Iran and upcoming budget hearings for the FY 2027 cycle. Members also indicated they would continue to monitor the implementation of the Defense Modernization Accelerator and the progress of the Combating Chinese Communist Party Influence Act.
Transcript
All right, good afternoon. Subcommittee will come to order. I ask unanimous consent that the chair be authorized to declare a recess at any time. Without objection, so ordered. Today we will hear from our witnesses on the Defense Intelligence Enterprise and how the enterprise is postured for fiscal year 2027 and beyond. This year, I am pleased to include the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or NGA, with our panel of leaders from the defense intelligence community. Welcome, ma'am. The U.S. intelligence community is comprised of 18 organizations, nine of which are elements of the Department of War, that provide a variety of capabilities supporting national defense and intelligence requirements and their missions. Intelligence enables leaders to make informed decisions, especially now in the increasingly complex world that we live in. We continue to face challenges with threats that span the entire globe, including non-state actors, well-known terrorist organizations, the narco-terrorists right here in our own Western Hemisphere, and the ever-evolving threats from our traditional adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Our warfighters and policymakers depend on validated, actionable intelligence to execute their missions and return home safely. And the men and women who support the Defense Intelligence Enterprise, civilians and service members alike, need the requisite tools, resources, facilities, and support to deliver on our intelligence requirements. By ensuring our Defense Intelligence Enterprise has what it needs and our intelligence efforts are synchronized, we increase our warfighters' lethality, survivability, and capacity to provide for our nation's defense and counter whatever threats may arise now and in the future. This is a challenging task at hand and one that we look forward to working with the department on. That is why we are here today, to learn from key representatives of this critically important community about our current posture and how we can work together to better support the enterprise. Understanding each of your roles in this effort will help us ensure that your organizations have the capabilities that you need and the resources required to accomplish your mission. I'd like to welcome today's witnesses from the Defense Intelligence Enterprise: Mr. Bradley Hansell, Under Secretary of War for Intelligence and Security; General Rudd, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command and Director of National Security Agency; Lieutenant General Adams, Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency; and Lieutenant General Michele Bredenkamp, Director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. In the interest of time, I ask that the witnesses keep their opening remarks to five minutes or less so that we'd have sufficient time for questions and answers. And we're hoping that some more members show up here in a minute. I apologize, we're starting anyways here, but it's been a hectic day and no one's actually sure what's going on with the votes throughout the day, so that's part of the issue here. But with that, I once again want to thank the witnesses for being here, and I'm going to turn it over now to Mr. Crow for any opening remarks he may have.
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