Spanish Chief of Defence gave the final lecture to the National Defence courses

• 74 students have attended these courses, which aim to promote and disseminate the culture of defence

The Chief of Defence (CHOD), Admiral Teodoro Esteban López Calderón, delivered the final lecture of the 54th National Defence Course and the 14th National Defence Course for Young People, which took place at the Higher Centre for National Defence Studies (CESEDEN).

During his address, the Chief of Defence discussed the current geopolitical situation, the implications of this new context for our Armed Forces, and the challenges that must be faced and overcome, both in the military sphere and in other areas relating to human resources, interoperability and resilience.

Following this analysis, the Admiral told the students that they play a fundamental role in spreading the ideas and knowledge that they have learned throughout this course, to demonstrate that defence is an investment in security, stability and international credibility.

Forty students took part in the National Defence course, including MPs and senators, as well as senior military officers, journalists, professionals and directors of defence-related companies. Its aim is to promote and raise awareness of defence culture among civil authorities within the State Administration and prominent figures in political, economic and social life.

As for the National Defence course for young people, 34 students from the armed forces, the media and defence-related companies took part. Its purpose is to provide young people with an overview of national defence, through an understanding of the factors affecting Spain’s geostrategic context, the fundamentals of security policy, the general structure of the organisation, planning and the most important missions of the Armed Forces.

Both courses have featured around 30 lectures and 10 national and international visits to various military and civilian institutions, such as Armed Forces units, official institutional bodies, and industrial and defence companies.