The Third International Course on Advanced Defence Studies for Senior Officers from African Countries has begun

• Twenty-six students are attending this training course, most of them from African countries, as well as two representatives from the Spanish defence industry

The auditorium of the Higher Centre for National Defence Studies (CESEDEN) was the venue for the opening of the Third International Course on Advanced Defence Studies (CIAED) for senior officers from friendly countries. The course was organised by CESEDEN's Department of Defence Culture and Diplomacy and, on this occasion, was aimed at African countries.

The event began with remarks by the Director of the Department of Culture and Defense Diplomacy, Brigadier General Luis Carlos Torcal Ortega, who welcomed the participants and presented the course program and content.

Next, Lieutenant General Miguel Ballenilla y García de Gamarra, Director of CESEDEN, spoke about the importance of the course, both for the Center and for the dissemination of Security and Defense Culture at the national and international levels. He also welcomed the participants, wishing them a fruitful stay in Spain and formally declaring the course open.

The III CIAED will take place from November 3 to 21 and aims to contribute to strengthening bilateral relations and consolidating institutional ties between Spain and the invited countries. Speakers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Body of the Ministry of Defense, the Joint Chiefs  (EMACON), and the Army, Navy, and Guardia Civil will present to participants Spain's main lines of action in the field of national security and defense, our vision of emerging challenges in the area of security and defense, as well as the organization and capabilities of our Armed Forces and the possibilities offered by Spain's thriving defense industry.

During the course, students will take a professional trip to visit various Army and Navy units in Seville and Cadiz, as well as the AIRBUS and GDELS factories in Seville and the NAVANTIA factory in San Fernando.  A visit to Wing 12 of the Air and Space Force is also planned for November 20.

There are 26 participants attending this course, 17 of whom are from Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Gabon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia. There are also seven Spanish students from the Defense Staff, the Army, Navy, Guardia Civil, and representatives from Spanish defense companies (Escribano Mechanics & Engineering and BESSEL).