Centre des Hautes Études Militaires

Centre des Hautes Études Militaires
Name	Centre des Hautes Études Militaires
Established	19??
Type	Staff college
City	Paris
Country	France

Centre des Hautes Études Militaires is a French senior staff and strategic studies institution founded to prepare senior leaders for high-level responsibility in national defense and international operations. It operates within the French strategic education system alongside institutions such as École de Guerre, Collège Interarmées de Défense, and interfaces with foreign institutions like National Defence University (United States), Royal College of Defence Studies, and NATO Defence College. The centre contributes to strategic discourse involving actors such as Ministry of Armed Forces (France), Élysée Palace, European Union, United Nations, and multilateral formations including North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

History

The centre traces its origins to interwar and post‑World War II reforms influenced by episodes like the Battle of France, the Free French Forces, and postwar doctrines developed after the 1954 Geneva Conference. Early staff training reforms referenced lessons from Charles de Gaulle's tenure and the institutionalization of strategic education following the Algerian War (1954–1962). During the Cold War era the centre engaged with issues shaped by the Warsaw Pact, NATO strategy, and crises such as the Suez Crisis and the Prague Spring. In the post‑Cold War period it adapted to operations exemplified by Gulf War (1990–1991), Bosnian War, and later counterinsurgency campaigns in Afghanistan and Mali. Reforms in the 21st century aligned the centre with European defence initiatives like the Common Security and Defence Policy and cooperation with institutions such as Bundeswehr staff colleges, Generalitat de Catalunya (in regional defence dialogues), and academic partners including Sciences Po and Université Paris-Saclay.

Mission and Role

The centre's mission encompasses strategic education for senior officers, strategic-level research, and advisory support to decision-makers including the Chief of the Defence Staff (France), Minister of the Armed Forces (France), and presidential security advisors at the Élysée Palace. It produces doctrine and analyses that inform policy on subjects such as nuclear deterrence shaped by Force de frappe, expeditionary operations informed by Operation Serval, and coalition planning with partners like United States Central Command and European Union military staff. The role includes fostering ties with foreign ministries, defence attachés from states like United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, and global partners such as Japan and Australia.

Organization and Governance

Administratively the centre is situated within structures linked to the Ministry of Armed Forces (France) and coordinates with the École Militaire complex, the École de Guerre staff network, and the Direction générale de la sécurité extérieure. Governance involves a directorate, academic board with retired senior leaders such as former Chief of the Defence Staff (France) officers, and liaison officers representing formations including Armée de Terre (France), Marine nationale (France), and Armée de l'air et de l'espace (France). It maintains partnerships with think tanks like Institut français des relations internationales and research bodies such as Centre for Strategic Studies and collaborates with NATO structures including the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and the NATO Defence College.

Programs and Curriculum

The centre delivers senior level courses covering grand strategy, operational art, and defence policy, comparable to curricula at Royal College of Defence Studies, National War College (United States), and Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Modules examine nuclear strategy referencing Mutually Assured Destruction, crisis management illustrated by Kosovo War, hybrid warfare studied through cases like Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, and counterterrorism drawn from Operation Barkhane. Pedagogy blends seminars, war gaming influenced by models used at RAND Corporation, seminars with visiting scholars from Harvard Kennedy School, and simulations akin to exercises run by Allied Command Transformation. Research output contributes to journals and white papers read by audiences at European Council on Foreign Relations and national security committees such as the Assemblée nationale (France) defence commission.

Admission and Selection

Admission targets senior officers and selected civilian officials from ministries, foreign services, and allied states. Candidates often hold ranks equivalent to colonel or brigadier and possess operational experience in theatres like Lebanon, Gulf War (1990–1991), Iraq War, and Afghanistan conflict (2001–2021). Selection combines nomination by service chiefs such as Chief of Army Staff (France), portfolio review, and interviews by panels including representatives from Ministry of Armed Forces (France), academic partners like École Nationale d'Administration, and international liaisons from NATO and partner militaries. Scholarships and exchange slots are negotiated with institutions including Marshall Center and École Militaire affiliates.

Notable Alumni and Influence

Alumni include senior figures who held posts such as Chief of the Defence Staff (France), service chiefs from Armée de Terre (France), heads of mission to United Nations, and ministers who participated in crises like the Libyan Crisis. Graduates have influenced doctrine adopted in operations like Operation Harmattan, policy at institutions such as European External Action Service, and strategic studies at universities including King's College London and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. The centre's network extends to alumni in multinational commands including Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum and diplomatic posts at embassies in capitals like Washington, D.C., London, Berlin, Rome, and Madrid.

Category:Military education and training in France