NATO Chiefs of Defence in Copenhagen met for the Military Committee Conference

Copenhagen, 18-19 September 2026 - NATO's highest Military Authority, the NATO Military Committee, met for the annual Military Committee Conference. 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 the follow-up from the NATO Summit in Ankara, in particular by addressing the further strengthening of the Alliance's collective deterrence and defence, innovation and technology, and support for Ukraine.

Opening the event, the Chair of Military Committee, Admiral Cavo Dragone, highlighted the priorities of the conference, stating: "We - the NATO Chiefs of Defence, together with SACEUR and SACT - will do the work that follows from the Ankara Summit, as we shift focus from committing budgets to delivering on capabilities that will enable NATO to deter adversaries and defend the Euro-Atlantic area." He also added: "We will address collective deterrence and defence, innovation and technology, and accelerated adoption of new defence capabilities."

In a joint press point, the CMC and the Chief of Defence of Denmark, General Michael Wiggers Hyldgaard, participated in a joint press conference. For his part, Admiral Cavo Dragone conveyed a message of unity among Allied militaries: "Over recent weeks and months, we have seen once again the reckless behaviour of Russia, including airspace violations, drone incidents, hybrid activities and attempts to test Allied resolve. Let me commend Allied forces for their swift, professional and effective responses to these incidents. NATO remains vigilant. NATO remains ready. And NATO will do what is necessary to defend every inch of Allied territory."

General Hyldgaard from his point of view said that "Today, in Copenhagen, NATO Allies once again show their commitments to strengthening the Alliance, bolstering our innovation and technology and our support for Ukraine. We will do what it takes to defend our common freedom and transatlantic security."

The topics and priorities discussed throughout the weekend included: implementation of the NATO Summit decisions and capability targets; acceleration of Allied readiness and strengthening of the ability to operate in a multi-domain environment; a direct and united message to the defence industry that "Allies are ready to buy at scale" and that "industry must be able to deliver with speed, scale and predictability".

Another major milestone for this year's conference was the election of the next Chair of the NATO Military Committee.

Allied nations elected General Carsten Breuer, Chief of Defence of Germany, to be the next Chair of the NATO Military Committee. He will assume the post in summer 2027, for a three-year mandate.

The NATO Military Committee meets in Chiefs of Defence Session twice a year at its Headquarters in Brussels, and once a year it holds a Conference co-organised and hosted by an Allied member state. The next plenary meeting is scheduled for January 2027, in Brussels. On a day-to-day basis, its work is carried out by the permanent Military Representatives at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.