Too few defense contractors are testing their technology in real-world situations against a peer adversary, NATO’s military chief said Thursday, praising companies that are making the effort to work with the Ukrainian military.

“Those few that have tried it have either learned a lot, or they’ve decided to go home because they can’t compete in that environment. But that is going to be the environment that we face,” said Gen. Alexus Grynkewich , who leads U.S. European Command and serves as NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe.

Grynkewich, who was speaking virtually to an industry group in Washington, D.C., urged any companies seeking to sell new products to NATO allies to attend September’s Defense Tech Valley conference in Ukraine.

“They’re bringing in dozens and dozens of companies

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