US President Expected to Name Ashton Carter New Defense Chief

US President Barack Obama is expected to nominate on Friday Ashton Carter to succeed Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense, according to White House sources quoted by CNN.

Carter served as Deputy Secretary of Defense from October 2011 to December 2013 under Leon Panetta in charge of overseeing more than USD 600 B per year and over two million civilian and military personnel, and managing global operations.

From April 2009 to October 2011, Carter was Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics with responsibility for procurement of all technology, systems and services, winning a reputation as an expert on hi-tech weapons and military budgets.

Chuck Hagel announced his resignation last month. He has said he will carry on until the Senate confirms his successor.