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Ministère de la Défense / Ministry of Defence

The organisation and missions of national defence have undergone a profound transformation in recent years, particularly given the unpredictability of the international environment - a source of risks and potential threats. The Ministry of Defence must take account of these new instability factors in its modernisation process and of their possible implications for new areas of international crisis and tension. As with other ministries involved in the general public policy review, the Ministry of Defence has undertaken to reorganise its structures and renew its equipment. This modernisation of the Ministry is part of efforts to boost the national economy.

The new-look defence is being shaped by the White Paper on National Defence and Security (2008) and the 2008-2014 Military Planning Act. While nuclear deterrence remains a key military mission, the Ministry of Defence is conducting other missions in response to new international risks. One key tool makes these missions, composed of five strategic functions, possible: intelligence. The modernisation of defence takes full account of the growing influence of such intelligence.

Through this strategic approach, the Ministry of Defence protects the French territory, population and interests. It also responds to other missions in the framework of international agreements or treaties (NATO) or their regional counterparts (European defence). These are based on humanitarian, environmental and security criteria (the fight against piracy and terrorism). Beyond these tasks, in the name of maintaining peace and national cohesion, the Ministry of Defence is increasingly involved in public service missions. Its human and material resources are deployed on a daily basis to support or supplement the activities of other ministries both nationally and — in emergency situations — internationally

The Ministry of Defence, under the authority of the Minister of Defence, is responsible for applying the defence policy set by the President of the Republic, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. For his part, the Prime Minister is responsible for national defence.

The Ministry of Defence is a central government department under the authority of the Minister of Defence. The Secretary of State for War Veterans, who reports to the Minister, is responsible for the missions and services assigned to him. There is a joint forces organisation in the Ministry of Defence that coordinates defence operations. For his remit, the Minister of Defence has technical experts at his disposal whom he consults to assist him in taking decisions or applying measures that have been taken. Certain organisations surround the Minister and contribute to the Ministry’s influence on the general public and defence specialists.