On Thursday 1 February, the Defence Academy welcomed defence diplomats from across the globe.
Each year international Defence Attachés (DAs) based in London visit the Defence Academy on the International Defence Attachés Away Day (IDAAD). IDAAD gives an insight to Defence Attachés and Military Advisors on the UK’s approach to professional defence and security education (PDSE).
Thirty-eight countries participated in this year’s visit at Shrivenham, representing Africa, the Americas, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the Far East.
Following a welcome and brief overview of the Defence Academy by Major General Andrew Roe CB, Chief Executive and Commandant of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, attendees were briefed on the Joint Service Command and Staff College and its various courses. They also heard about the International Group, which runs courses for foreign personnel in English language, leadership, defence management and building integrity, and language and cultural courses for British Defence Attachés.
An introduction to the new Defence Academy Alumni portal, Summit was given to the delegation by Alumni Manager Helen Merryfield. Summit is an online platform designed for current and former alumni to network, reconnect and discuss PDSE.
The afternoon programme then included briefings from the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre (DCDC) and the Defence College for Military Capability Integration (DCMCI), with an overview of the DCMCI/Cranfield University partnership, and a chance to look at a wide variety of military hardware from tanks and artillery pieces to munitions, infantry weapons and even a Tornado jet.
Over the years, the IDAAD has continued to be successful and well-attended. The visit aims to improve the foreign DAs’ understanding of the Defence Academy’s structure, functions and capabilities, and shape future opportunities for bilateral and multilateral educational and training co-operation.
Lieutenant Colonel Alex Michael, Head of the Academy’s Defence Engagement Team, said:
"Hosting this event is key to maintaining strong and dynamic working relationships with our international DAs. Forty DAs joined us for today's annual visit, where they were able to see first-hand the opportunities that we, the Defence Academy, can offer to international students."
Captain Jaiped Thongdoung, the Thai Defence and Naval Attaché, said:
"The visit today has been amazing, and to see the presentations about the colleges has been really interesting. And for the first time we have a Thai student studying here too, this year".
Lt Colonel Christopher Distifeno, the US Assistant Army Attaché, said:
"It's a fantastic opportunity – the school has really opened up to us to show us everything they are doing, and it has given us a good chance to talk to the students as well as go over the different programmes that are going on here. It gives us clarity into what is going on here in the United Kingdom and allows us to understand our partner just a little bit better."