German General Carsten Breuer has been elected chairman of NATO's Military Committee and will assume the post in July 2027. He was chosen at a committee meeting in Copenhagen to succeed Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone. Breuer defeated Canada's General Jennie Carignan, who would have been the first woman to hold the role. As chair, he will coordinate member states' military perspectives and act as the secretary general's principal military adviser.
Carsten Breuer Elected Chair of NATO's Military Committee; Will Assume Post in July 2027
Inspector General of the German Armed Forces Carsten Breuer (R) talks with a young conscript in the Finnish Army during a visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the Santahamina military base, located on a small island southeast of Helsinki. (is associated with: «German General Breuer to head NATO's Military Committee») Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
German General Carsten Breuer, Germany's highest-ranking military officer, has been elected chairman of NATO's Military Committee following a vote on Saturday in Copenhagen. He will succeed Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and is due to take up the post in July 2027.
Breuer, the Bundeswehr's Chief of Defence, prevailed over Canada's Chief of Defence, General Jennie Carignan — who would have been the first woman to lead the committee — in the ballot held at the committee meeting.
“The support of the chiefs of defence of our NATO allies means a great deal to me. The alliance faces major challenges — for our security and peace in Europe and beyond,” Breuer told dpa. He also thanked colleagues “for the confidence they have placed in me.”
Role and Responsibilities
As chairman of the Military Committee, Breuer will be responsible for reconciling the military perspectives of all NATO member states and providing substantive military advice to the alliance's political leadership. He will serve as the secretary general's principal military adviser and act as the channel through which the joint recommendations of the chiefs of defence are submitted to NATO's political decision-making bodies.
The chairman of the Military Committee is regarded, alongside the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), as one of NATO's most influential military figures. Breuer said he looks forward to shouldering the responsibility for peace and freedom within the alliance together with NATO partners.
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