Having risen at the crack of dawn to catch the first train from Paris to Brest, the auditors were welcomed on Friday morning at the Préfecture Maritime, where they were introduced to the MICA Centre by Lieutenant Marie-Noëlle GILBERT - second in command of the French Navy's maritime cooperation centre. They discovered the value of this centre, which constantly updates the global maritime traffic situation and offers a highly responsive response to incidents or accidents, particularly in the face of piracy and banditry in the Gulf of Guinea.
Then listeners were able to debate with Captain Pierre LACHARDNATO*, head of the Operations Division, on the many issues at stake in this ocean, which has given its name to today's largest military alliance. It is also where the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SNLE), on which France's sovereignty and the defence of its vital interests depend, are diluted.
*North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
After lunch, chaired by Rear Admiral Xavier TourneuxIn the presence of the French Maritime Prefect's deputy, who was away in the United States, the auditors set sail across the harbour to Île Longue, the sanctuary of France's deterrent force, where they were welcomed by Vice-Admiral Jacques FAYARDCommander of the submarine forces and the strategic oceanic force (FOST). They were able to discuss with him the major challenges facing France's nuclear deterrent before visiting the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SNLE). Le Vigilant. Particularly impressed by the nuclear missile bay that they were able to visit, the listeners were able to discover the fruit of French technological and operational excellence acquired in complete autonomy.
With their heads full of images and unforgettable encounters with the passionate sailors who are entrusted with the heart of France's strategic independence, the listeners headed for Lorient, where they were welcomed in the evening by Rear Admiral Pierre de Briançon commander of the fusiliers marins et commandos maritime force. The latter had very kindly invited them to dine at his historic residence, the Villa Kerlilon in Larmor Plage, where Admiral Karl Dönitz led the Battle of the Atlantic with his famous U-Boats during the Second World War.
The visit to the latter's command bunker after the presentation of Admiral Pierre de Briançon on his fusiliers marins and commandos, followed by a dinner organised with his senior deputies, rounded off an intense and memorable day.
After a short night's sleep, the listeners were ready to head off early on Saturday morning to the naval air station at Lann-Bihoué, where they were given a tour of the site. Captain Pierre Marcellinthe base commander, shared with them the challenges he faces.
The audience then had the opportunity to visit a Falcon 50 and an Atlantique 2 at its latest standard. The exceptional operational capabilities of this maritime patrol aircraft, equipped with missiles, torpedoes and bombs, enable it to carry out a wide variety of missions both at sea and on land. The audience was also able to admire a Beechcraft from the customs coastguard, a particularly important player in the State's action at sea. But above all, as on the previous day, it was the professionalism and enthusiasm of these "sailors in the sky" that impressed them most.
François DemoulinNaval Group Lorient's Managing Director, then welcomed the major players to the production site for combat ships, including the famous FREMM multi-mission frigates and the brand-new FDI defence and intervention frigates, which have been fully digitised. With Hervé Boy and Thomas Augé responsible for leading the forward-looking reflection on the ships of the future, he presented the technological dimension of these vessels and the challenges taken up by his teams to meet delivery deadlines halved compared with the previous series. Discussions continued on board the FDI Amiral Ronarc'h and in the shipyard, where the next two FDIs are already well advanced, to keep up with the impressive pace of one ship every six months.
Finally, on Saturday afternoon, listeners were welcomed by Fabrice LoherLorient, Mayor of Lorient and Chairman of Lorient Agglomération, is particularly involved in national defence and security issues. In addition to its prestigious maritime past, this region of Brittany is home to the Lann-Bihoué naval aeronautical base and most of the naval fusiliers and commandos. It is also home to a shipyard of excellence, where Naval Group designs and builds some of the world's most high-tech combat vessels, including all the Navy's frigates. It is therefore only natural that the IHEDN's 'Maritime Issues and Strategy' major should make a stopover in Lorient every year, and that its mayor should graciously make his town hall available to the auditors so that they can carry out the reflection work entrusted to them by the Prime Minister.
