Germany names army chief Freuding as next top general

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has chosen Lt. Gen. Christian Freuding as Germany’s next chief of defense, the ministry announced on Thursday.

Freuding, 55, currently serves as chief of the army. He will take up the post in February 2027, succeeding Gen. Carsten Breuer, who was elected chairman of NATO’s Military Committee earlier this year.

As the Bundeswehr’s highest-ranking officer, Freuding will oversee the armed forces’ strategic direction and capability development. Before taking command of the army last year, Freuding coordinated Berlin’s military assistance to Ukraine.