{"id":14193,"date":"2026-03-30T09:58:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T08:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/?p=14193"},"modified":"2026-03-30T15:28:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T14:28:21","slug":"nrcc35-fs1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/nrcc35-fs1\/","title":{"rendered":"Unity, Readiness, Defence: NRCC 35 Field Study Explores Allied and Partner Security Priorities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Deepening strategic understanding from Belgium to Slovakia and Switzerland<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 15 to 24 March, the 35th NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC 35) conducted a Field Study that deepened participants\u2019 understanding of NATO\u2019s strategic adaptation, the EU\u2019s evolving defence role, and national approaches to resilience. Bringing together 36 Course Members, including 27 from partner countries and 9 from Allied nations, with 21 nations represented in total, the programme provided first\u2011hand insight into how political and military leaders are preparing for an increasingly contested security environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>

SHAPE, SC 148 and NRCC 35 group photo<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Panel consisting of Moderator COL Eric de Landmeter, Head of NDC’s Policy and Engagement Branch; MGEN Richard Laurijssen, Director Policy & Capabilities International Military Staff; Mr Nick Catsaras, Assistant Secretary General Defence Planning and Policy; Mr David Cvach Ambassador and French PermRep to NATO and MGEN Remus Hadrian Bondor, Romanian MilRep to NATO.<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Mr Cosmin Dobrin Director for Peace, Partnerships and Crisis Management briefing the Course Members of SC148 and NRCC35<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Civilian and military experts from the Ministry of Defence deliver briefings and engage in Q&A sessions with NRCC 35 Course Members on security and defence, defence planning, and the defence industry.<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

NRCC 35 group photo at Slovakian MoD<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

NRCC 35 Course Members hosted by the NATO EOD Centre of Excellence in Tren\u010d\u00edn, Slovakia, learning about new technologies in the EOD field and the Centre\u2019s training of specialized personnel.<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

NRCC 35 Course Member engages in the discussion at the NATO EOD Centre of Excellence in Tren\u010d\u00edn, Slovakia, asking a question on new EOD technologies and the Centre\u2019s training of specialized personnel.<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

NRCC 35 Course Members listen to a briefing by Lieutenant General Benedikt Roos, Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, on Swiss security and armament policy, recruitment, and participation in international organisations<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

NRCC 35 Course Member engages with Lieutenant General Benedikt Roos, Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, during a productive Q&A session.<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

In Spiez, NRCC 35 Course Members listen to experts at the NBC EOD Centre of Competence, gaining insights into CBRN-EOD capabilities and real-world operational experiences.<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Building on the discussion, a Faculty Advisor also takes the floor to pose questions during the Q&A session at the NBC EOD Centre of Competence in Spiez.<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>

Ambassador Patrick Van Gheel, NATO Contact Point Ambassador in Switzerland, welcomes Head of Delegation Brigadier General Ferenc Moln\u00e1r and the Deputy Head of Delegation to the Belgian Residence in Bern.<\/p>

Essential Blocks Slider Subtitle<\/p>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Field Study began in Belgium with a joint segment alongside Senior Course 148 at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), NATO Headquarters and the European Union Military Staff (EUMS). At SHAPE and NATO HQ, Course Members explored how the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro\u2011Atlantic Area (DDA) concept and its Family of Plans are shaping NATO\u2019s posture, strengthening readiness, defence planning and long\u2011term support for Ukraine. At the EUMS, discussions focused on the EU\u2019s growing role in European defence, efforts to reinforce industrial output and resilience, and the importance of EU\u2011NATO complementarity in delivering a coherent 360\u2011degree approach to security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second part of the Field Study took NRCC 35 to Slovakia for an in\u2011depth look at a frontline Ally\u2019s defence posture. Hosted by the Ministry of Defence in Bratislava, Course Members examined how Slovakia anchors its security within NATO and the EU, while investing in modernization, cyber resilience and capability development aligned with NATO and EU priorities. Discussions highlighted Slovakia\u2019s strategic position on NATO\u2019s eastern flank, its strengths in ammunition production and mobility, and the political cohesion needed for credible deterrence. In Tren\u010d\u00edn, the visit to the NATO\u2011accredited Explosive Ordnance Disposal Centre of Excellence (EOD COE) illustrated how innovation \u2013 through virtual\u2011reality training, AI\u2011enabled tools and CBRN\u2011related developments \u2013 supports interoperability and Alliance transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the institutional level, the NDC\u2019s head of delegation, Brigadier General Ferenc Molnar, Director, Academic Operations Division, met Lieutenant General Miroslav Lorinc, Deputy Chief of Defence, and Mr Igor Melicher, State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence. Discussions underscored Slovakia\u2019s valued contribution to NDC education and addressed how professional military education can respond to emerging challenges, including great\u2011power competition and hybrid warfare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final leg of the Field Study, in Switzerland, explored how traditional neutrality coexists with close cooperation with NATO and the EU. In Bern, Lieutenant General Benedikt Roos, Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, delivered a key briefing on the missions, structure and conscription\u2011based system of the Swiss military. He outlined how Switzerland balances national defence, support to civil authorities, and international engagement, notably in the cyber and hybrid domains. In Spiez, the visit to the NBC EOD Centre of Competence showed participants how Switzerland manages nuclear, biological and chemical risks through scientific expertise, specialized capabilities and international cooperation, reinforcing broader crisis\u2011management efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At each stop, Course Members actively engaged in lively Q&A sessions and open exchanges with senior officials, experts and practitioners, fostering an atmosphere of candid dialogue and intellectual curiosity, and usefully complementing the academic curriculum of the NRCC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Swiss segment concluded at the Belgian Residence in Bern, where Course Members met H.E. Mr Patrick Van Gheel, Ambassador of Belgium to Switzerland and Liechtenstein and NATO Contact Point Ambassador, who described his role in fostering NATO\u2011Switzerland cooperation on security and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across all destinations, the NRCC 35 Field Study offered a coherent view of how NATO, the EU, Allies and partners are strengthening unity, readiness and defence. Closing the programme, Brigadier General Molnar stressed that the experience equipped participants with deeper knowledge of how shared strategic concepts translate into practice, reinforcing their ability to shape their own nations\u2019 contributions to collective security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NDC Public Affairs Office<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Deepening strategic understanding from Belgium to Slovakia and Switzerland From 15 to 24 March, the 35th NATO Regional<\/p>","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":14194,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","editor_plus_copied_stylings":"{}","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[185,3],"tags":[175,30],"post_badge":[],"class_list":["post-14193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-courses","category-news","tag-field-study","tag-news","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Chlo\u00e9 Ketels","author_link":""},"modified_by":"NDC Public Affairs Office","author_meta":{"display_name":"Chlo\u00e9 Ketels","author_link":""},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-445x250.jpg","featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0.jpg",2048,1152,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-445x250.jpg",445,250,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-768x432.jpg",640,360,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-1024x576.jpg",640,360,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-1536x864.jpg",1536,864,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0.jpg",2048,1152,false],"trp-custom-language-flag":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-18x10.jpg",18,10,true],"morenews-featured":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-1024x576.jpg",1024,576,true],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-825x575.jpg",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NRCC35-FS1-A_0-590x410.jpg",590,410,true]},"category_info":"Courses<\/a> News<\/a>","tag_info":"News","comment_count":0,"coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["Courses<\/a>","News<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Courses<\/span>","News<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["Field Study<\/a>","News<\/a>"],"unlinked":["Field Study<\/span>","News<\/span>"]}},"relative_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 4 mois il y a","modified":"Mis \u00e0 jour 4 mois il y a"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le mars 30, 2026","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le mars 30, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le mars 30, 2026 09:58","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le mars 30, 2026 15:28"},"featured_img_caption":"NRCC 35 group photo at Slovakian MoD","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14193","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14193"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14193\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14210,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14193\/revisions\/14210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14193"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14193"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14193"},{"taxonomy":"post_badge","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_badge?post=14193"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}