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Global defence attachés unite at the Defence Academy

9 April 2025
•
International
Military officers in different national uniforms walking in a large hall and smiling with international flags hung in the background.

This year, 32 defence attachés (DAs) were welcomed to the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, based in Shrivenham.

An annual staple in the Academy’s calendar, the International Defence Attaché Away Day offers London-based, international DA’s the opportunity to get first-hand experience of a UK MOD academic institution.

The visit provided the DAs with an overview of the Academy including its structure, functions, capabilities and delivery of professional military education (PME) while shaping future opportunities for bilateral and multilateral educational and training co-operation.

This year’s visit saw representatives from:

  • Albania
  • Australia
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bosnia & Herzegovina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Columbia
  • Georgia
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • India
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kosovo
  • Libya
  • Lithuania
  • Malaysia
  • Montenegro
  • Nigeria
  • North Macedonia
  • Peru
  • Serbia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Thailand
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • Uruguay
  • Zimbabwe

The day was opened with a welcome and overview of the Defence Academy by Commodore Matt Solly, Deputy Commandant and Chief Operating Officer, who said:

“It was an absolute privilege to host a large delegation of international defence attachés on their annual visit to Shrivenham. Discussions throughout the day demonstrated clearly that we are indeed a very close and supportive community with common ethos, visions and goals for our people and their respective PME. “It was a delight to see many of the delegates meeting past colleagues who are currently on course at Shrivenham, and motivated to learn of how highly our international partners rate the education and training delivered here. A highly successful trip, we all learned a great deal from each other and look forward to further close engagement.”

A series of lectures and presentations from the Joint Services Command and Staff College and the Defence College for Military Capability Integration (DCMCI) gave attendees insight into specific areas of delivery by the Academy. While  at DCMCI, they were also able to explore the range of military equipment used as teaching assets within the College’s Tech Hub.

During lunch, the DAs were able to meet with current Defence Academy course members from their home nations, that are currently studying with us.

Each year, the Defence Academy welcomes approximately 2,100 international course members from over 50 nations.