Former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday launched a full-throated defense of former Sen. Sen. Chuck Hagel and his nomination to head the Pentagon.

"He's had a very, very distinguished public service record that he can stand on," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "There are a lot of comments about different things he's said over the years, and I think he'll have a chance to respond to all those comments at the his confirmation hearings."

Powell said he believes Hagel will ultimately be approved by the Senate.