In addition to military defence, national defence covers everything that affects our sovereignty, interests and freedom without recourse to armed force. Falling under the hostile and politically motivated intentions of the players involved, its scope depends on the evolution of threats within the international system, themselves conditioned by the evolution of international interactions.

For example, the economic globalisation that followed the end of the Cold War has created asymmetries between states that can be 'weaponised' in a context of political rivalry. This circle therefore encompasses a wide variety of means of action, such as economic coercion, disinformation, the use of force, the use of force, and so on. lawfare or cyber attacks. It includes respect for alliances, international treaties and agreements, and common European policies.