Visit and Lecture of Opportunity of the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation at the NDC

The Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), General Philippe Lavigne, visited the NATO Defense College on 22 June 2023.

He was accompanied by 8 delegates, including Rear Admiral (UH) Placido Torresi, Deputy Chief of Staff Joint Force Development. The aim of the visit was for General Lavigne to deliver a lecture to Course Members of Senior Course 142 (SC 142). On arrival, the General was received by NDC Dean Dr Christopher Schnaubelt, and he then proceeded to sign the NDC Guest Book.

Afterwards, the General delivered an hour-long Lecture of Opportunity to SC 142 Course Members about NATO’s journey into the future, innovation and technology, NATO’s efforts to maintain its technological edge, efforts ongoing at NATO and NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), including NATO’s Digital Transformation. The talk was followed by a highly engaging Q&A session moderated by Faculty Advisor and GBR Senior National Representative, Colonel Jeremy Miles.

The General then gave a speech to the participants of the 5th Early-Career Nuclear Strategists Workshop, highlighting the importance of navigating the complexities of nuclear security and NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.

After a highly engaging discussion with SC 142 and sharing some food for thought at the Early-Career Nuclear Strategists Workshop, General Lavigne left the College.

Recently, on 7 June, the NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), NATO’s Strategic Warfare Development Command, celebrated its 20th anniversary in Norfolk, Virginia – a city known as “NATO’s Home in North America”. Over the last 20 years, ACT has had a total of eight Commanders from either the US or France. The current Commander, General Philippe Lavigne, assumed command in September 2021.

NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Zsofia Juhasz, HUN C)