Final curtain for the 246e IHEDN regional session in Normandy!
A month of immersion in the heart of defence and national security issues. From 12 November to 12 December, 48 participants from a variety of backgrounds followed a demanding programme combining lectures, visits to strategic sites and committee work. Over four weeks, they explored major contemporary issues: military strategy, defence tools, international cooperation and regional crisis management.
Immersion in French Guiana for listeners of Radio 5e national session
From 8 to 13 December, students majoring in «Armament and Defence Economics» (AED), «Economic Defence and Security» (DSE) and «Digital Sovereignty and Cyber Security» (SNC) travelled to French Guiana for a study mission offering direct insight into the issues and challenges facing our forces deployed in overseas territories.
A look back at the IHEDN Science Awards ceremony
On Thursday 20 November, IHEDN celebrated a highlight of its intellectual life with the presentation of its Scientific Awards, which since 1998 have recognised work contributing to French strategic thinking. The 2025 edition, marked by a particularly high number of nominations and the introduction of a new «Special Prize,» honoured four winners whose research sheds light on major contemporary issues in defence, security and international relations.
The prizes were presented by the Director of IHEDN during a ceremony at which each winner gave a speech discussing their work, motivations and prospects. These speeches illustrated the richness of the dialogue between the academic and strategic worlds that the Institute seeks to promote.
A moment of exchange and recognition that highlights the importance of supporting demanding, open and innovative research in order to better understand defence issues.
International Session for the Indopacific: a week of dialogue and cooperation
From 17 to 21 November, the IHEDN is hosting the 55 international auditors of the International Session for the Indo-Pacific (SIIP) at the École Militaire, organised with the Directorate for Security and Defence Cooperation (DCSD) of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. We take a closer look at the programme and the HIMANTURA 25 mission currently underway in the region.
ADN 2026, a compass in a world of strategic uncertainties
The third edition of the Year of National Defence (ADN), a reference work coordinated by the IHEDN and published by La Documentation française, is now available in bookshops.
Opening of the first joint cycle between the Youth Cycle and the Business Intelligence Cycle!
On Monday 20 October 2025, the IHEDN inaugurated the 156ᵉ Cycle Jeunes en intelligence économique (IE) at the École militaire. The first to be organised in synergy between two of our sessions, marking a major development in the Institute's training strategy.
A look back at the International Armament Session Latin America 2025
From 29 September to 3 October 2025, the Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (IHEDN) hosted the Latin America International Armaments Session (SIAMLAT) in Paris, organised in partnership with the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA).
Opening of the 5e IHEDN national session
On 16 and 17 September 2025, IHEDN launched the 5e national session (SN5) with 290 students from all walks of life. For ten months, they will follow a course of strategic training and collective reflection, marked from the start of the academic year by high-level presentations and discussions on major defence and security issues.
Opening 245e session in the Occitanie region
The 245th regional session of the Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (IHEDN) opened in Nîmes. For four weeks, students will explore the major issues in national defence and security through lectures, visits and group work.
Opening of the 242e regional session in Beauvais
The 242nd regional session of the Institut des hautes études de défense nationale has opened in the Hauts-de-France region at the Préfecture de l'Oise in Beauvais. Over a four-week period, 45 students from a wide range of backgrounds will have the opportunity to explore the major strategic challenges of our time, find out how the armed forces operate and get to grips with national defence and security issues, through a programme combining visits to strategic sites, high-level lectures and group work.
French 
English