On May 14 – 15 Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania General Raimundas Vaikšnoras took part in the NATO Military Committee Chiefs of Defence format in Brussels. Routinely broken down into two sessions, in the first of which Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) shares strategic considerations on security, deterrence and defence posture, operations and other NATO’s military updates.
At the session, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General John Dan Caine reaffirmed commitment to the strategic importance of NATO and allegiance to the strongest defensive Alliance in the world. However, besides russia, the strategic U.S. considerations encompassed China, Iran and North Korea. Chief of Defence of the United Kingdom Admiral Tony Radakin expressed support to a healthy competition between the British, American and European defence industry to facilitate investment and procurement of western-made weaponry from all the defence industry companies on the market. Chief of Defence of Belgium General Frederik Vansina posed a valid question about NATO’s further trajectory after the end of the war in Ukraine.
This was the last session overseen by Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Christopher G. Cavoli who retires on July 4 this year and relinquishes as SACEUR to another NATO general.
In the second session the strategic consideration of Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) Admiral Piere Vandier encompassed a debate on novelties in the NATO planning process, technological updates and adapting innovative systems. SACT introduced the largest experimental NATO’s Project Task Force X exploring the opportunities to use naval vehicles to guard critical undersea infrastructure. The project will encompass 20 ships from the European naval force operating from Danish and Finnish seaports.
In the last session the situation on the ground in russia’s war against Ukraine was discussed with Chief of Defence of Ukraine General Oleksandr Syrskyi. He informed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine were transforming the donated Western weaponry to match the needs of war and dynamic circumstances. NATO Chiefs of Defence agree that Ukraine’s lessons learned and best practices have to be transferred. The importance of continuing the support to Ukraine was also underscored.
The NATO Military Committee is the highest level of military authority which provides advice on the Common Security and Defence Policy and military missions and operations. It is comprised of Allied Chiefs of Defence who meet twice a year.
Photo credits: NATO HQ
