The modernisation of the Ministry of Defence, in accordance with objectives set by the French President under the White Paper on National Defence and Security and the General Public Policy Review (GPPR), involves a comprehensive set of reforms whose main aims are :
The Ministry of Defence is playing its part in reorganising the State and is occupying a leading role in the reforms, as evidenced by the various progress reports on the GRPP.
While reflecting wider imperatives, this reform is genuinely focused on the ministry, its objectives and missions. Its primary aim is optimisation, i.e. providing the necessary resources to ensure the security of French citizens, safeguard national independence and consolidate the country’s military and diplomatic power.
The modernisation of the Ministry of Defence continues the professionalisation of armed forces undertaken from 1996 to 2007 and reflects the most recent wider strategic developments.
Originating from two separate projects, (the White Paper on National Defence and Security and the General Public Policy Review [GPPR] ), the modernisation of defence forms part of the implementation of a comprehensive set of reforms.
Faced with evolving threats and risks, military capability must adapt in order to be able to ensure the security of French citizens and defend French interests at all times.
Moreover, the organisation of the ministry must reflect a balance between its core operational activity and the provision of support. The reform therefore aims to pool general administration and support resources while strengthening ministerial governance, i.e. to introduce a simplified and adapted form of organisation within the ministry.
The simplification of structures (creation of a joint support chain, new decision-making bodies, etc.) involves a particular geographic clustering both at central and local levels. The ‘Balard 2015’ project therefore plans to consolidate central administration headquarters and departments in Paris. Local defence bases reflect a profound territorial reorganisation, through the consolidation of all Ministry of Defence bodies in specific geographical areas.
Aware that the major restructuring brought about by the reorganisation of the defence system affects and will continue to impact on military and civilian personnel alike, the Ministry is implementing significant support measures both from an employment perspective (voluntary redundancy/retirement assistance, support for spouses, mobility incentives) and a territorial perspective (local contracts and plans for revitalising areas affected by restructuring).
Overall, the reform of the ministry involves 37 projects, each with its own objectives, schedule, team and budget. Its success thus depends on the commitment of each project manager to their part of the reform process. Progress reports enable the monitoring of performance through internalcontrols and regular audits; according to interim reports from the GPPR, the modernisation of the Ministry of Defence is making very satisfactory progress.
Ultimately, the reform will serve to create budgetary flexibility, the benefits of which will be fully reallocated to defence spending. In practical terms, the reorganisation of the ministry will therefore be of benefit in terms of military equipment and improved staff conditions.