NATO Military Committee concludes its 195th Chiefs of Defence Meeting

Brussels, NATO HQ, 19 May 2026 - The highest NATO and NATO Allies military authorities met in the Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session format, today. The Chair of the NATO Military Committee (CMC), Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the 32 Allied Chiefs of Defence and the two Strategic Commanders, General Alexus G. Grynkewich (SACEUR) and Admiral Pierre Vandier (SACT), discussed a comprehensive agenda of the Alliance most pressing dossiers.

Opening the meeting, Admiral Cavo Dragone highlighted: "Our deterrence and readiness are stronger. Our awareness is sharper. And with last summer's The Hague Summit commitment on defence investment, we are on the right track. But our follow through and delivery is essential. And that is why we are here today."

The agenda included a special meeting with NATO Secretary General, Mr. Mark Rutte, for a discussion on the Alliance's political objectives, priorities and milestones on the way towards the NATO Summit in Ankara. The other, main sessions focused on: NATO's path to further strengthen the Alliance's deterrence and defence, including a discussion on the status of ongoing NATO-led missions, activities and operations; an updated overview of how NATO is evolving its Defence Planning Process to better integrate emerging technologies, innovation and operational lessons, and accelerate capability delivery; a NATO-Ukraine Council with the participation via VTC of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, and a NATO-EU session, with the attendance by Gen. Sean Clancy, Chair of the EU Military Committee, to discuss continued NATO and EU support to Ukraine and a deeper and closer collaboration between the two organizations, across a wide range of issues, from defence industry to military mobility.

During a Joint Press Conference, held this afternoon alongside SACEUR and SACT, CMC presented the highlights of the meetings, underlining how, "as we discussed with the Chiefs of Defence, we must note that the rate of delivery and fielding of all capabilities necessary for our deterrence and defence requires a dramatic increase and improvement." In this regard, he also added: "This is why we must redouble our efforts to focus defence investments, in accordance with our pledges. In parallel, I call firmly on the defence industry, to accelerate production and adapt business models to this imperative." He also emphasised how "we must sustain this commitment in the long term, with the steadiness and consistency, not to be thrown off course by social media or other distractions. The security of our citizens demands no less."

The Military Committee meets regularly at Chiefs of Defence level, at least three times a year, twice at the NATO HQ, and once hosted by one Ally. The next, scheduled meeting will take place in Denmark, 18-19 September 2026.