Who is the current Secretary of Defence?

The current Secretary of Defense is the Honorable Lloyd Austin. He took office on January 22, 2021, becoming the first African American to hold this position. Austin has a distinguished military career, including a role as a four-star general in the U.S. Army, and has previously served as the commander of U.S. Central Command, overseeing military operations in the Middle East. His leadership focuses on modernizing the military, strengthening alliances, and overseeing the U.S. response to various global security challenges.

The choices you provided included individuals who previously held the Secretary of Defense position at different times, but they are no longer in office. Leon Panetta and Chuck Hagel served during the Obama administration, while Mark Esper served under President Trump. Their tenures contribute to the historical context of the position but do not reflect the current officeholder.