German General Carsten Breuer elected Chairman of NATO Military Committee, to take office in July 2027

Carsten Breuer, Inspector General of the Bundeswehr. Source: Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Inspector General Carsten Breuer will assume the chairmanship of the NATO Military Committee in 2027. Germany's highest-ranking soldier is set to become the most important military advisor to the NATO Secretary General.

Election in Copenhagen

Germany's highest-ranking soldier was elected at a meeting of the committee in Copenhagen as the successor to Italian Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, according to a statement by NATO.

Breuer prevailed against Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff Jennie Carignan, who would have been the first woman to head the Military Committee had she been elected. He is scheduled to take over from the current officeholder in July 2027.

Breuer's Response

Breuer expressed gratitude "for the trust placed in me."

"The support of the chiefs of defence staff of our NATO allies means a great deal to me. There are major tasks ahead for us within the Alliance – for our security and peace in Europe and beyond," he told the German Press Agency (dpa).

As chairman of the Military Committee, starting mid-next year, his focus will be on integrating the perspectives of all member states and providing substantive military advice to the Alliance.

"With great respect for this task, I am very much looking forward to this demanding and important role and to assuming responsibility together with our allies for peace and freedom within our Alliance," said Breuer.

Role and Responsibilities

The chairman of the Military Committee is considered, alongside the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), one of the most influential military figures in NATO. He serves as:

• The primary military advisor to the Secretary General
• The link through which joint recommendations from the chiefs of defence staff of all NATO member states are presented to political decision-making bodies
• The channel through which directives and guidelines from the Military Committee are transmitted to NATO's strategic commanders and to the Director General of the International Military Staff

Historical Context

The last German to hold this position was General Harald Kujat. He had also previously served as Inspector General of the Bundeswehr and held the chairmanship of the Military Committee from July 2002 to June 2005.

Significance for Germany

Within the Alliance, General Breuer's election is also viewed as a sign of appreciation for the Federal Republic's recent contributions to enhancing European defense capabilities. According to NATO figures:

• Germany currently leads in Europe in terms of defense spending, with approximately 125 billion euros
• Since this year, Germany holds more top positions in the Alliance's military command structure than the United States

All of this is intended to enable the United States to utilize freed-up resources and forces for a massive expansion of its deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. The US no longer views Russia, but China, as the primary challenge to its own security interests.

Breuer's Leadership During the "Zeitenwende"

Breuer has served as Inspector General since March 2023 and is therefore militarily responsible for the reorganization and strengthening of the Bundeswehr initiated after the "Zeitenwende" (historic turning point) – triggered by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.