NATO defense chiefs meet to discuss new military plans, common security threats

Europe, News January 19, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Alliance’s Military Committee gathered in Brussels for the Chiefs of Defense format meeting. NATO’s highest military authority discussed ways to strengthen the Alliance’s defense and deterrence capabilities and implementation of the new defense plans.

Chair of the Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer said during the meeting, “The tectonic plates of power are shifting. As a result: we face the most dangerous world in decades. NATO has entered into a new era of collective defense. Together we are defending much more than the physical safety of our 1 billion people and 31 (soon to be 32) nations. We are defending freedom and democracy.”

NATO Military Committee chief Admiral Bauer discussed new defense plans with military officials and emphasized that the Allies are actively working to maximize the executability of the new military plans. However, he stressed that the Allies need to take additional steps to achieve its objectives and collective defense of the Alliance.

Admiral Bauer also highlighted the importance of warfighting transformation and the need to focus on “effectiveness instead of efficiency.” He stated that the new defense plans would shape the Allied armed forces for decades to come.

The NATO Military Committee chair added that “There is an increased need to prepare for the unexpected and look at challenges from all threat perspectives: for this, our cooperation with Partners is key,” the NATO statement read.

On the Ukraine issue, Admiral Bauer said, “Ukraine will have our support for every day that is to come. Because make no mistake: the outcome of this war will determine the fate of the world.”

NATO Military Committee meeting — *^{The NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defense format. (Image Credit: NATO)}*

During the meeting, Admiral Rob Bauer also commended NATO’s political-military structure and welcomed Mircea Geoană’s continual engagement with military leadership.

NATO’s Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană thanked the Chiefs of Defense for their unwavering dedication and hard work on behalf of the Alliance. He extended gratitude to the men and women in uniform for the incredible work and ongoing efforts for member states and NATO’s security.

Deputy Secretary General of NATO Geoană outlined the main priorities for the Washington D.C. Summit in July 2024. He highlighted, “At this year’s summit in Washington, we will go further. Doing what is necessary to ensure the security of our people, our nations and yes, the international rules-based system. We will strengthen our collective defense, especially our air and missile defense. We will boost our support for Ukraine. And I’m thankful for all of you for meeting your Ukrainian counterpart later today.”

He further highlighted that “The first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Chiefs of Defence format is another testament of our enduring support for this nation, because the Ukrainians are also fighting our fight. And we will work even more closely with our partners around the world. Thank you again for meeting our partners. NATO may be a regional alliance and this will not change. But we face global challenges and we need to engage even more.”