The 31 NATO Chiefs of Defence and Invitee Sweden met in Brussels on January 17th-18th, 2024. They focused on the executability the Alliance’s new defence plans, NATO’s warfighting transformation, NATO’s continued support to Ukraine and military cooperation with NATO Partners.
Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, stressed in his opening remarks that the rules-based international order is under immense pressure: “The tectonic plates of power are shifting. And as a result we face the most dangerous world in decades. In this new era of collective defence we must defend not only the physical safety of our 1 billion people and 31 (soon to be 32) nations, we are defending freedom and democracy”.
General Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, briefed on the executability of the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area Family of Plans and the way ahead regarding NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. Allies are actively working on making the new defence plans fully executable.
Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Lavigne and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Badia updated the Chiefs of Defence on the progress regarding NATO’s warfighting transformation, focusing on the future of multi domain operations and the adaptation of NATO’s Command and Control.
The Chiefs of Defence discussed and provided additional guidance to the two Strategic Commanders regarding NATO’s deterrence and defence priorities ahead of the Washington D.C. Summit; the new defence plans require more people, more training and exercising, more stockpiles and capabilities, and more planning defence investment.
In the inaugural NATO-Ukraine Council in Chiefs of Defence format, the Ukrainian Military Representative to Ukraine, Major General Serhii Salkutsan briefed the NATO Chiefs of Defence on behalf of Ukrainian Chief of Defence General Zaluzhnyi. The Chiefs of Defence reaffirmed their unwavering and continued support to Ukraine.
The Military Committee also gathered with the Chiefs of Defence from the Partner Interoperability Advocacy Group: Australia, Austria, Ireland, New Zealand and Switzerland. These Nations hold non-NATO Nation Status, which grants an individual security agreement that allows the exchange of classified information and participation in NATO training and exercises. The Chiefs of Defence stated that the current security environment clearly demonstrates the increased importance of cooperation with Partners, especially regarding interoperability.
Meeting with their Indo-Pacific partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, the NATO Chiefs of Defence discussed how regional security issues are increasingly becoming global security issues. Together, they discussed how to develop further training and exercising opportunities amidst closer cooperation.
Meeting with the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, the Chiefs of Defence discussed global security issues and the political priorities ahead of the Washington D.C. Summit.