NATO Advisory Group Visits Armenia's Military Educational Institutions

The NATO advisory group formed under the "Defense Education Enhancement Programme" was in Armenia from March 9 to 13 to assist with the needs of the country's military education sector. The purpose of the visit was to summarize the cooperation projects conducted in 2019 and to agree on future collaboration with the personnel and military education administration of the Ministry of Defense of Armenia and military educational institutions.

During a working meeting held at the Ministry of Defense, the Armenian side presented the reforms implemented in military education and military educational institutions. Visits to military educational institutions were organized for the international advisory group, including meetings with the leadership of educational institutions and those responsible for the educational process.

During meetings at the military educational institutions named after V. Sargsyan, A. Khamperyants, the Defense National Research University, and the officers' school, briefings were provided on the review of educational programs, retraining of academic staff, new teaching methodologies, and specific projects implemented with the assistance of the advisory group.

Brigadier General (Retired) Ernest Benon, the academic lead of NATO’s Defense Education Enhancement Programme, presented lectures on “The Decision-Making Process at the Strategic Level,” “Joint Land Operations,” and “Mission Command Philosophy in Western Armed Forces” for the academic staff and students of the Defense National Research University and Command and Staff Courses.

The group was received by Deputy Minister of Defense Gabriel Balayan. During the meeting, the results of the visit were summarized, and agenda items regarding the reforms being implemented in military education were discussed, along with outlines for future cooperation.