On 16 May, the NATO Military Committee in Chiefs of Defence Session took place at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The 32 Allied Chiefs of Defence focused on the executability of the Alliance's new defence plans, NATO's warfighting transformation and NATO's continued support to Ukraine. The Chiefs of Defence also met in the NATO-Ukraine Council format with the Ukrainian military leadership.
Opening the NATO Military Committee session alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Chair of the Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer stressed that, "NATO is stronger and readier than it has ever been. And it's growing stronger by the day. We have it within ourselves to build on the ground-breaking work that has already been done. The integration of NATO and national military planning will enable us to do exactly what the NATO flag symbolises: all Allies will follow the same compass."
The first session focused on warfighting transformation saw the Chiefs of Defence meet with General Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT). This session focused on the future of multi domain operations, the adaptation of NATO's Command and Control and the NATO Defence Planning Process.
This was followed by the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Chiefs of Defence format. The Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Major General Anatoliy Barhylevych, briefed the NATO Chiefs of Defence on the situation on the ground. The Chiefs of Defence reaffirmed their firm and continued support to Ukraine, emphasising the bravery and sacrifice of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Admiral Bauer stated that Ukraine has demonstrated the world that it has the ability to achieve unprecedented success on the battlefield. "There is nothing they cannot do. All they need… is our help."
The afternoon saw General Cavoli, Supreme Allied Commander Europe - SACEUR, brief on the executability of the DDA 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.
