From the very first day, the 49 listeners attended various conferences on the French armed forces: nuclear doctrine, the strategies of the French Army and new challenges such as collaborative combat and cyber-combatants. These talks provided an overview of doctrinal and technological developments, illustrating the need for constant adaptation in the face of threats.
A visit to the military schools in Bourges gave the audience an opportunity to immerse themselves in the process of preparing and training soldiers. The presentation of the train and equipment arm museums retraced the history of these specialities and highlighted their crucial role in the conduct of contemporary operations. The wide-ranging activities of the Air Force and the Space Agency were discussed during the session's visit to the 702 air base at Avord.
Visits to national defence-related sites in Bourges gave the auditors a better understanding of the importance of cooperation between the various players in the military and industrial sectors. Visits to the Délégation générale de l'armement (DGA) and KNDS and presentations of their respective roles in the implementation and monitoring of weapons programmes enabled the auditors to understand the relationships between the major players in the French defence technological and industrial base (DTIB).
Visits and conferences have contributed to the work of the various committees, preparing the auditors for the collective preparation of strategic recommendations.
After a week's break, the auditors will meet again during the 3rd week in Tours to tackle regional challenges and crisis management, continuing their training with a sharpened eye on current defence issues.
