{"id":9998,"date":"2025-10-14T14:21:28","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T13:21:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/?p=9998"},"modified":"2025-10-14T14:21:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T13:21:29","slug":"sc147-fs1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/sc147-fs1\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior Course 147 First Field Study – Connecting National Defence Policies with NATO\u2019s Strategic Priorities"},"content":{"rendered":"

From 29 September to 9 October 2025, the NATO Defense College\u2019s Senior Course 147 (SC 147) embarked on its first Field Study across Europe. The immersive programme took the 75 senior officers, civilians and diplomats hailing from NATO Allies and partner nations to key institutions and capitals, where they gained first-hand insights into Europe\u2019s evolving security landscape and the Alliance\u2019s strategic priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jim Carter, Director General Commercial and Industry, UK Ministry of Defence, delivering his briefing on UK Defence Industrial Strategy to Senior Course 147<\/p>

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Panel discussion during Senior Course 147’s visit to NATO HQ featuring Major General Ulf Haeussler, Colonel Pascal Putz, Mr. Fran\u00e7ois-Marie Gougeon and H.E. Mr. Thijs van der Plas, moderated by Dr Cynthia Salloum (centre). <\/p>

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Course Member of Senior Course 147 listening to the briefings at EUMS in Brussels<\/p>

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Brigadier General Uro\u0161 Paternus, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces addressing Course Members of SC147<\/p>

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Course Member of Senior Course 147 asking a question during the visit to FCDO<\/p>

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Welcome Remarks to SC147 by German Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Minister of Defence Sebastian Hartmann.<\/p>

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Course Member of Senior Course 147 asking a question during the visit to Ljubljana<\/p>

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The Field Study started in Brussels, with visits to NATO Headquarters, NATO\u2019s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and the European Union Military Staff (EUMS). Subsequently, the delegation travelled to the UK\u2019s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in London, Germany\u2019s Federal Ministry of Defence (FMoD) and the Deutscher Bundestag in Berlin. The journey concluded with a visit to the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) in Ljubljana, Slovenia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This comprehensive tour offered SC 147 a unique opportunity to discuss and connect national defence policies to NATO\u2019s overarching strategic priorities, balancing national interests and collective defence. The conversations at NATO Headquarters underscored NATO\u2019s response to the security challenges the Alliance is currently facing and its core strategic priorities. These include increased defence spending, capacity building and enhanced resilience across all domains of conflict: land, air, maritime, cyber and space. A consistent focus throughout all engagements was the continued support for Ukraine, as a cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security, and ongoing efforts to prevent escalation with Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At SHAPE, Course Members were introduced to SHAPE\u2019s ongoing transformation into a strategic warfighting headquarters. This transformation is driven by the implementation of the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) concept, which is operationalized through the DDA Family of Plans. These plans form the foundation of NATO\u2019s comprehensive, 360-degree approach to deterrence and defence. The European Union, while pursuing strategic alignment and closer cooperation with NATO, is also advancing its own defence capabilities through joint procurement initiatives and by securing more resilient supply chains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During discussions on the national defence policies of the UK, Germany and Slovenia, Course Members examined each country\u2019s strategic priorities and objectives, including their commitment to boosting defence spending, building and modernizing capabilities, and enhancing warfighting readiness. Briefings explored how national policies address a range of security challenges, from cyber threats and disinformation to energy security. The UK\u2019s \u201cNATO First\u201d policy and Germany\u2019s \u201cone-theatre approach\u201d emphasized how both countries strengthen collective security and enhance whole-of-society resilience by coordinating civil and military efforts to respond to polycrises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engagements also focused on each country\u2019s approach to reinforcing strategic partnerships through bilateral, regional and broader multilateral cooperation. Briefings examined initiatives to maintain situational awareness in the Indo-Pacific and support stability in the Middle East and Africa, demonstrating how these efforts contribute to broader regional security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall, Senior Course 147\u2019s first Field Study examined NATO\u2019s multidimensional approach to deterrence and defence. The journey underscored how national perspectives contribute not only to increased national security but also to the broader security of the Euro-Atlantic area and to NATO\u2019s core strategic objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen leveraged this Field Study to engage with key stakeholders of the College by conducting bilateral meetings with counterparts from European and NATO institutions. These included the recently appointed Director General of the NATO International Military Staff (IMS), Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltr\u0117nas; the Strategic and International Affairs Advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Mr Stephen Covington; the Vice Chief of Staff at SHAPE, Lieutenant General Ludovic Pinon de Quincy; and the European Union\u2019s first Commissioner for the combined portfolio of Defence and Space, Mr Andrius Kubilius.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the UK, the delegation was welcomed by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, and briefed by high-level FCDO officials. In Germany, Course Members met with Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Defence Sebastian Hartmann, officials from the Ministry of Defence and Members of Parliament from various parties. Finally, in Slovenia, Brigadier General Ferenc Molnar, Head of Delegation and Director of the NDC Academic Operations Division, met bilaterally with Deputy Chief of Defence Brigadier General Uro\u0161 Paternus. Course Members also held discussions with SAF officials and Members of the Slovenian Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Britt Melinga, NLD C)
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