SPANISH DEFENCE STAFF. The driving force for TRANSFORMATION in the SPANISH ARMED FORCES

Transcription

1 SPANISH DEFENCE STAFF The driving force for TRANSFORMATION in the SPANISH ARMED FORCES

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3 We tend to hear in the most varied forums that we are going through a period of great uncertainty in the global geopolitical sphere. The constant appearance of new hot spots of instability clearly reinforces that fact. The world is evolving at a dizzying pace. In this context, in order for the Spanish Armed Forces to maintain their capability to respond to the new (and highly diverse) arising threats, it is necessary to establish a process of a constant change that not only can provide solutions for the present, but also that can give the organization the required flexibility to get adapted to the new changes the future will bring. In other words, we need to feed the culture of constant change that enables us to evolve at the pace of events as they unfold and respond to the new missions assigned to us. With this philosophy we, at the Spanish Defence Staff, are working intensively to lead the implementation of a process of constant adaptation to change for our Armed Forces. And in doing so we are starting from ourselves, firmly dedicated to guaranteeing the operational capabilities in the most probable current and future scenarios. Consolidating this process will necessitate, in addition to a series of organizational and structural modifications led by the Joint Defence Staff that we are already undertaking, a change of mentality that will require overcoming the natural skepticism humans tend to react to against change. If successful, we will continue ahead towards our goal, which is nothing but to achieve better, more effective, more efficient Armed Forces today than those of yesterday. Fernando García Sánchez General Admiral Chief of Defence

4 FoUndaTionS For change

5 The transformation we are immersed in is governed by the following principles: JOINT ACTION We want to be effective, act quickly and be decisive. The most efficient way of achieving that is by doing it together, avoiding duplicity and sharing resources. We always operate under a single command and in co-ordination with the other components of the State, since we are one more element of it. COMMAND AGILITY AND SPEED The planning cycle must be capable of adapting to the environment. And if that environment is changing more quickly and dynamically, we must shorten the cycle and make it more fl exible. We strive to stay ahead of the situation by detecting the risks and identifying the possible threats before they arise. To be effective, decision-making must be well-founded and expeditious. To make it possible, information must fl ow constantly, effectively and securely. This is why we need robust communication and information systems that provide the appropriate pieces of information at the right time. SPECIFICITY AS A COMPETITIVE EDGE Far from putting specificity at risk, joint action optimizes its performance. Our advantage is that we are a team in which we are all specialists and stand out in specific areas. We work in a variety of fields, we perform spcific duties, and we do so in support of a common goal. NECESSARY CAPABILITIES The world evolves, threats change and the need for new capabilities arises, while others become less important. We must be proactive, look to the future unapologetically and look at ourselves critically. Those who are unable to adapt face greater risks, and we are committed to evolving. LONG -TERM BUDGET COMMITMENT Spain s defence is everyone s duty and requires a responsible commitment by society and its representatives, making it possible not only to outline realistic and adequate needs, but also to assign stable and consistent resources that guarantee that these requirements are always fulfilled.

6 KeY elements To be more effective today and to continue to be so tomorrow, we are building our project on the following pillars:

7 The Joint Force We are convinced of the validity of the expression Unity is strength. That is why we comprise a Joint Force of specific capabilities under the direction of the Operations Command (MOPS) that can quickly deploy to anywhere in the world and operate successfully in any terrain. Cyberdefence Cyberspace has become a new theatre of military operations. To fulfill our mission, we must guarantee our freedom of movement in this spectrum and maintain the capability to operate in it. That is the reason why the Spanish Armed Forces have a Joint Cyberdefence Command (MCCD). Intelligence Intelligence is an essential requirement while planning, conducting and execution military operations. This principle is the raison d être of the Armed Forces Intelligence Centre (CIFAS): the nerve centre of our military intelligence. Special Operations To provide a quick, decisive and sufficient response capability, we must rely on Special Operations. To do that, we will look to the future by reinforcing this capability with a global perspective, under the direction of a Joint Special Operations Command (MCOE). Education The Spanish Armed Forces need physically and academically well-trained military personnel, but also people educated in values. This is why we are committed to a solid education and training system that provides prepared, technically qualified and morally upstanding professionals. If we want to continue to lead the transformation, we need to retain the initiative: we must propose, discuss, and maintain the spirit of self-criticism. To that end, the best forum in which to determine what we want to be and discuss the direction we want to take is the National Defence Advanced Studies Centre (CESEDEN).

8 The SpaniSh armed ForceS IN PERMANENT ACTION The Spanish Armed Forces carry out their mission in service of society 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Right now, hundreds of people are standing watch from their posts to ensure the security of all, and they do so from a wide variety of positions: Guarding our waters, as part of the Maritime Surveillance and Security Command (MVSM), whose mission is to preserve the security of maritime spaces of Spanish sovereignty, responsibility and interest. Protecting our airspace, as members of the Air Defence and Operations Command (MDOA), the entity responsible for aerial surveillance, security, control and policing within the airspace of Spanish sovereignty, responsibility and interest.

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10 The Spanish Armed Forces IN PERMANENT ACTION

11 Contributing to State Action by providing support to various public entities with air, land and sea resources, such as the State Law Enforcement Agencies (FCSE) and the Department of Customs Surveillance (DAVA), through the Centre for Intelligence against Organized Crime (CICO) and the National Antiterrorist Co-ordination Centre (CNCA), as well as the Department of Civil Protection and Emergencies, Department of the Merchant Marine, Civil Aviation and the Maritime Security and Rescue Society (SASEMAR) in their respective areas of responsibility. Through Search and Rescue (SAR), whose department has worked non-stop for decades in the service of civil and military authorities with one sole purpose: to save lives. With the Military Emergencies Unit (UME), always ready to intervene anywhere in the country along with other State institutions in support of the Public Administration, while channeling the support of the rest of the Armed Forces.

12 The SpaniSh armed ForceS ready To deploy

13 Our Armed Forces are decidedly expeditionary forces. Their potential areas of operation are located anywhere in the world. The foundations of their ability to respond to any call to action are: Readiness, our priority. Being ready to react quickly gives us the response capability we need. Maintenance, a necessity. Being equipped to continue operating until the mission has been accomplished enables us to be always effective. COALITION OPERATIONS In the international military context, Spain is committed to its allies. We are ready to co-operate with them or integrated into supranational structures. To do that, both establishing strategic alliances and maintaining a high level of participation in the top international decision-making bodies are essential. NATIONAL OPERATIONS The Spanish Armed Forces retain the capability of acting independently in the defence of Spain s national interests. Our Contingency Plans establish the lines of action of our units in the event of unforeseeable situations. Our mission is to be prepared for the unexpected, and so we are.

14 Our Social Responsibility

15 The security of all is a basic element without which the rest of the fundamentals principles of an advanced society could not develop: without security, there is no freedom and without freedom, there is no well-being or development. However, we must not forget the considerable amount of resources necessary to reach that objective: national defence is an indispensable common principle, and the investment that guarantees it is significant. The members of the Armed Forces are aware of the enormous responsibility given to us by society in making the common resources available to us. And we keep that very much in mind. Military members are fully committed to the most rigorous assigned public funds management, making use of them with total efficiency and complete responsibility. But that is not the only aspect we apply in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility: other concepts tied to it, such as environmental awareness, energy savings, occupational risk prevention, complete female integration and non-discrimination of individuals, fit in perfectly with the spirit of the Royal Ordinances for the Spanish Armed Forces, which comprise our solid code of ethics and define our demanding line of conduct.

16 Office of the Spanish CHOD EMADmde GOBIERNO DE ESPAÑA MINISTERIO DE DEFENSA