Contenu du sommaire : Formation et commandement

The various policies of reorganisation and restructuring that have been imposed on the forces have had a negative impact on the exercise of command. Thus in order to respond to operational requirements there is now a need to explore new paths to achieve greater effectiveness by drawing on innovative processes.

The exercise of command in the Air Force is the result of a century of experience. The high-tech nature of the systems operated demands many skills, including the ability to direct airmen. Leadership and management have to be learned, then put into practice throughout a career.

The training of Army officers is focused on preparing them for achieving their missions in the most demanding conditions and, in particular, under fire. Such training has therefore to be realistic and appropriate, as it must instil both tactical skills and those needed for the officer to become a leader.

Naval officers'training focuses on naval, military and engineering candidates who show the ability to take on operational responsibilities in a complex environment. The École navale (Naval College) must therefore adapt its teaching methods to prepare for tomorrow's needs, building on a solid foundation of maritime common sense.

The Gendarmerie attaches particular importance to the training of its officers in offering them a wide range of competences that will allow them to fulfil the needs of the organisation and at the same time emphasising an openness of mind and exchange of experiences. The diversity of career paths thus opened up is a major operational advantage.

The École de l'air (Air Force College) conducts initial training for Air Force officers. To accomplish this task, it has enthusiastically developed its procedures in order to become an academy of repute within Europe. The ability to respond to future needs of the Air Force was conditional on such a transformation.

The creation of the École supérieure de Guerre (Senior War College) in 1876 was the response to lessons learned from the defeat by Prussia in 1871. The College's mission was to train officers in tactics: it became a melting pot of doctrinal thought, Foch being a prime example of its output. Training at the College strongly influenced French command during the Great War.

Remembrance of wars since 1918 has profoundly changed the link between the nation and its armed forces. Political overtones have created myths that sometimes suppress the reality of facts and which lead to long-lasting misunderstanding and even to deep hostility. We have to look back into history to ensure that the duty of remembrance does not become some ‘ideologically correct' reconstruction.

The different regions of France have had different approaches to marking the centenary of the Great War. Amiens, a town particularly affected by the conflict, has taken advantage of the commemorations to rekindle remembrance of that period. Through a number of diverse events, the town has become a prime example of using the centenary to prepare better for the future.

Nuclear treaties, including the NPT (Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons), CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban) and TPNW (Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons), have widely differing objectives, approaches and virtues. For example, the TPNW is based on an ideological, somewhat liberal approach, but one which flouts geopolitical considerations to the extent that defending its objectives could turn out to be the more dangerous path.

During Operation Trident (relating to Kosovo) in 1999, the naval-air group based around the aircraft carrier Foch took on a new dimension. Trident was a major advance in many respects, not least of which was improved interoperability with American forces. The operation opened the way for the naval-air group to respond to twenty-first century needs.

Whilst the legal definitions of peace and war are well on the way to being agreed, it is not the same for intermediate situations, including those referred to as ‘hybrid'. It is therefore important to progress with clarifying such legal definitions and status in order to respond to new types of conflict.

The crisis between Ukraine and Russia has caused great concern in the three Baltic States, which consider Russia a genuine strategic threat to their independence. Because of that, they are very keen to strengthen the presence of NATO forces as a guarantee of security even if that means spectacular waving of a red rag to the Russian bull.

Bombing a city with super guns or ballistic missiles is generally the resort of a state or entity in an inferior tactical position—a case in point being the use of V2 rockets by Nazi Germany. Similarly, Saddam Hussein in Iraq and the Houthi rebels in Yemen each tried to destabilise their adversaries by using the psychological impact of such weapons.

Cuba played a major role in Africa from the 1970s, advancing ideological objectives directed at anti-colonialism. The military commitment in Angola was a tactical success that boosted the Marxist inspiration of the MPLA particularly in the face of the apartheid regime in South Africa.