On Tuesday (09 April 2024), NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană visited the Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) Headquarters in Northwood, United Kingdom.
Mr Geoană met with the Commander of MARCOM, Vice Admiral Mike Utley and other key members of staff. The Deputy Secretary General and the Commander's discussions focused on the importance of MARCOM in NATO's new defence plans and the command's crucial role in keeping seaways between North America and Europe open. After recent damage to Baltic Sea underwater infrastructure, they also discussed how Allied navies and new technologies can better protect undersea infrastructure and the Alliance's role in shielding subsea cables and pipelines.
Mr Geoană further highlighted the need for continued Western support to Ukraine, saying that the cost of allowing Russia to prevail would be far greater than the cost of supporting Ukraine now. The Deputy Secretary General and the Commander also discussed evolving missile and drone technologies, as well as how NATO can better adapt to the role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare. Warning that the Alliance is facing the greatest security challenges in a generation, Mr Geoană stressed MARCOM's central role in protecting NATO's one billion people.
During his trip to London, Mr Geoană met with the Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, and the National Security Advisor for the United Kingdom, Sir Tim Barrow.
The Deputy Secretary General concluded his trip with an opening address at the third edition of the annual NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Conference in London. This year's conference focused on the deliverables for the Washington Summit, lessons learned from the war against Ukraine, and NATO IAMD adaption beyond the Summit.
