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 Ashton Carter, a former Pentagon No. 2, told the Senate Armed
Services Committee he would "very much incline" toward supplying
defensive arms to Ukraine, adding the United States needed to
support the country's efforts to defend itself against
Russian-backed separatists.
U.S. officials are taking a fresh look at providing weapons, which
advocates say could help end the conflict in Ukraine but opponents
warn might escalate the war.
"The nature of those arms, I can't say right now," Carter said at
his Senate confirmation hearing. "But I incline in the direction of
providing them with arms, including, to get to what I'm sure your
question is, lethal arms."
After a break in the hearing, Carter was pressed about the risks of
escalation. He said: "I think the economic and political pressure on
Russia has to remain the main center of gravity of our effort in
pushing back."
Washington is keen to maintain solidarity on Russia with Europe,
some of whose leaders, including Chancellor Angela Merkel of
Germany, strongly oppose arming Ukraine.
The United States has provided some non-lethal military equipment to
Ukraine but has not sent arms, saying it does not want to be drawn
into a proxy war with the Russians.
 White House spokesman Josh Earnest, in a comment to reporters during
the hearing break, stressed the decision would ultimately fall to
Obama as commander in chief, but added the president would listen to
his advisors.
Carter, 60, would succeed Chuck Hagel, who resigned under pressure
last year after struggling to break into Obama's tight-knit inner
circle of security aides.
BROAD SUPPORT FOR CONFIRMATION
The Senate is expected to swiftly confirm Carter, a veteran defense
policy insider who is broadly supported by both Republicans and
Democrats.
Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, an outspoken Obama
critic, questioned how much influence Carter will have.
"I sincerely hope the president who nominated you will empower you
to lead and contribute to the fullest extent of your abilities,"
McCain said. "Because at a time of multiplying threats to our
security, America needs a strong secretary of defense now more than
ever."
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Carter vowed to cut through any "red tape" slowing U.S. arms
deliveries to Jordan, which plans to step up its fight against
Islamic State after the killing of a captured Jordanian pilot.
All 26 members of the Senate committee signed a letter to Secretary
of State John Kerry and Hagel asking that the United States quickly
send Jordan aircraft parts, precision munitions and other equipment.
On Afghanistan, Carter said he supported Obama's plans for drawing
down forces there but added that he would be willing to review
future U.S. troop withdrawals if needed.
Carter was deputy defense secretary from 2011 to 2013 and was the
Pentagon's chief weapons buyer from 2009 to 2011 when he led a major
restructuring of the F-35 fighter jet program.
Carter said he favored increased military spending, including
continued funding for a new long-range bomber, and would fight to
end congressional budget caps. But he vowed to accelerate reforms
aimed at ending wasteful cost overruns.
His comments were good news for Lockheed Martin Corp <LMT.N>, Boeing
Co <BA.N> and other big weapons makers, which have been waiting to
hear from Carter on his priorities and his commitment to new
procurement programs.
(Additional reporting by Lisa Lambert, Patricia Zengerle in
Washington, Adrian Croft in Brussels; Editing by David Storey and
James Dalgleish)
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