NATO Allied Command Transformation hosted General Stéphane Mille, Chief of the French Air and Space Force, on September 20th. While here, he met with Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Philippe Lavigne, French Air and Space Force, and received presentations from a variety of directorates with the purpose of gaining a better understanding of the command’s priorities in order to align and prepare for future challenges.
The Chief of the French Air and Space Force is the leader in charge of this particular military branch. As such, he directs the Air and Space Force staff, acts as the principal advisor to the Chief of the Defence Staff on subjects concerning the Air and Space Force, and ensures the operational preparedness of his service branch.
NATO continually evolves its strategies and objectives to address emerging security challenges. By engaging with NATO Allied Command Transformation, General Mille can ensure the priorities of his military branch align with those of the NATO of today, and of the future. Understanding the current priorities and projects will enable him to make valuable contributions to NATO initiatives, whether in terms of personnel, equipment, or expertise.
“The essence of war is speed, and the convergence of air and space capabilities amplifies this reality,” stressed General Mille. “We visit Allied Command Transformation to bridge the gap between theory and practice, to harness the full potential of air and space power for the challenges ahead. Together, we aim to develop next-generation assets and doctrines that will ensure we maintain the advantage in an ever-evolving security landscape.”
A noteworthy example of France’s commitment to the Air and Space domains is demonstrated by the recent creation of the NATO Space Centre of Excellence, located in Toulouse, France. As a multinational enterprise, it will act as the Alliance’s hub for space-related education and training, analysis and lessons learned, concept development and experimentation, as well as doctrine development and standards.
General Mille’s visit to NATO Allied Command Transformation provided an opportunity for him to gain valuable insights into security challenges and emerging threats, in order to prepare for future operations in the Space domain. Fostering these relationships is essential to enhancing the Alliance’s ability to deter, defend and protect its citizens, and ensures that France remains an active and influential member of NATO, ultimately contributing to the collective defence and security of the Alliance.
