The Chief of Defence address the final speech of the XXV Armed Forces Defense Staff Course

• Admiral López Calderón has spoken about the evolution of the Armed Forces in the current strategic context

The Chief of Defence (CHOD), Admiral Teodoro E. López Calderón, has addressed the final speech of the XXV Armed Forces Defense Staff Course (CEMFAS) at the High Defence Studies Centre (CESEDEN).

The CHOD briefly reviewed the current global strategic scenario in which we are witnessing a turning point in international relations. These events logically affect Spain's security and defence and, very significantly, the evolution of the Armed Forces. He also stressed that the new geopolitical circumstances have an impact on the daily lives of our citizens.

Admiral López Calderón pointed out that ‘there is no doubt that we are facing a new geopolitical reality, in which the Western world, and of course Spain as an active part of it, is immersed in a new Cold War which, in contrast to the previous one, is not ideologically motivated. Rather, it is characterised by an attempt to change the current system based on democratic norms and values for another autocratic system in which the loss of rights and freedoms is acceptable in exchange for a certain amount of growth and quality of life, and worse, where the use of force is valid to achieve objectives".

In view of this new scenario and the evolution of the Spanish Armed Forces, the CHOD explained that the actions, evolution and future configuration of our Armed Forces must respond effectively and efficiently to the new and foreseeable future scenario that is taking shape. He underlined that ‘the future configuration must be able to respond effectively and efficiently to the contribution demanded by our allies, but without ever losing sight of our autonomous defence needs’.

The purpose of the Armed Forces Staff Course is to complement the professional military qualification for the assessment and support of senior management in the higher and executive bodies of the Ministry of Defence and of the international organisations of which Spain is a member, as well as of the specific, joint and combined staffs.