Thursday 16 NovemberThe AED auditors were welcomed by Exail, a company formed from the merger of ECA and IxBlue, for a presentation of the group and its mine warfare and seabed control activities. The visit provided a vivid illustration of the high-tech products developed to guarantee France's sovereignty and strategic autonomy in the deep sea.
The afternoon continued with a visit to DGA Techniques navales at the SESDA site (Site d'expérimentation de systèmes de défense aérienne), where the auditors took part in various workshops illustrating the expertise of the centre, which is involved in ship programmes led by the Direction générale de l'armement or operated by the French Navy.
Friday 17th NovemberA lecture by Captain Le Goff of the Préfecture Maritime, on the theme of "The Mediterranean and its challenges", enthralled listeners with its richness and burning topicality.
In the afternoon, the auditors were given a presentation by Rear Admiral Bechler, Director of the Toulon establishment of the Fleet Support Service (SSF), on the challenges of maintaining the Navy in operational condition and its organisation, followed by a tour of the Vauban docks.
Finally, the AED major was welcomed on board the air defence frigate Chevalier Paulbefore visiting the Améthyste and Duguay-Trouin nuclear attack submarines, and the Centre d'expertise de la plongée sous-marine (CEPHISMER).
All the students in the AED major greatly appreciated this very enriching mission, which enabled them to discover, in situ and on a real scale, the capabilities of the Navy, as well as its links with the naval industry.
