The CHOD addresses a closing lecture to the National Defence Courses and the National Defence Course for Youth

• General Villarroya highlighted the capabilities provided by the Armed Forces in foreign deployments and also in standing operations

The Chief of the Defence (JEMAD in Spanish), Air General Miguel Ángel Villarroya, addressed a conference on the 21^st century Armed Forces at the Centre for National Defence Studies (CESEDEN in Spanish) on Wednesday 2nd to the students of the XLII and XLIII National Defence Courses and the VII National Defence Course for Youth.

The general highlighted in his speech that the Armed Forces must undergo constant and necessary adaptation to be an effective resource of the State, which contributes to national security and the defence of the interests of Spain, at any time, wherever they are required.

He also pointed out that, in order to provide an adequate response to the challenges we face, the structure of the Armed Forces has been adapted, with the creation, for example, of a new structure of Permanent Operational Commands, under operational control of the Operations Command, as well as a new structure of Component Commands.

He also stressed that, despite the new equipment or systems that the Armed Forces have, the essential element continues to be the personnel, and it is necessary that our soldiers, sailors and airmen feel supported and led, in the same way that it is important that are trained and motivated.

During the closing ceremony, General Villarroya stressed the importance that societies like ours need a minimum level of security to continue to develop, and stressed that the welfare state is based on basic pillars, such as access to health, the right to education, justice or a system of social services, pillars that can only be guaranteed if there is security.