—What challenges do you intend
to address as CHOD?
—The challenges are many and
very stimulating. The first one has
come to the fore with the approval,
at the Council of Ministers on May
19th, of the Royal Decree on the basic
structure of the Armed Forces, which
modernizes that structure, creating a
more efficient organization with the
necessary flexibility to adapt to the
evolution of the environment. We have
already started developing what is
established in the Royal Decree, which
will define a Defence Staff structure in
line with the modernization and digital
transformation of the Ministry.
The battle in cyberspace, in space,
in the information environment and the
emerging threats are challenges that
must also be addressed. But perhaps the
greatest challenge is related to the most
important asset of the Armed Forces:
their people. It is essential to keep them
motivated, prepared and well equipped.
—What are the lessons learned in
Operation Balmis that are reflected
in this new structure of the Armed
Forces?
—Basically, Balmis has not involved
major changes to the structure, since we
have demonstrated that we were ready
for this kind of contingency and others
of a different nature. Still, lessons can
and should be learned in any operation.
In this particular case, command and
control, healthcare, CBRN and logistics
capabilities have been critical, as it has
become clear that a unified command
improves efficiency and that our
component command structure is very
flexible and fast to implement. Health
and CBRN capabilities are essential in
pandemics, and logistics, as in any other
operation, is vital.
The approved structure is intended
to respond to the evolution of the
Armed Forces’ actions when facing
new challenges of a transnational
nature, in which cyberspace and outer
space now have greater relevance.
The new organizational model is
focused on knowledge, people and the
growing potential of technologies, by
standardizing the means and forms of
action of the Army, Navy and Air Force
in order to be more flexible and agile.
Santiago F. del Vado
Photos: Pepe Díaz
August 2020 Revista Española de Defensa 29