--- eventsindex_id: "EI-07003" slug: paris-defence-strategy-forum title: "Paris Defence and Strategy Forum" title_alt: ["PDSF", "Forum de Paris pour la Défense et la Stratégie"] canonical_url: "https://eventsindex.org/events/paris-defence-strategy-forum.html" next_edition_year: 2027 date_start: null date_end: null venue: "Ecole militaire" city: "Paris" country: "France" organiser: "ACADEM - Académie de défense de l'Ecole militaire" organiser_url: "https://www.defense.gouv.fr/academ" b2b: true vector: sector: [defence] audience: [military, government, policy, researcher] format: [forum, conference, summit] purpose: [policy, networking, education] geography_scope: [pan-EMEA] season: spring meta_description: "Paris Defence and Strategy Forum (PDSF): annual 3-day strategy event by ACADEM at Ecole militaire, Paris. 2026 edition was 24-26 March; next date TBC." editorial_take: "France's highest-tier closed strategic forum, where military chiefs and ministers meet academics and allies to shape European defence thinking -- by invitation only." generated_by: "claude-max-cowork" last_verified: "2026-06-10" variables_filled: 36/58 language: "en" schema_version: "v6.0" --- # Paris Defence and Strategy Forum > *The Paris Defence and Strategy Forum (PDSF) is an annual three-day international forum organised by the Defence Academy of the Ecole militaire (ACADEM) in Paris. It brings together French and international civilian and military experts -- including ministers, chiefs of defence, and strategic thinkers -- for closed roundtables, conferences, masterclasses, and strategic-game simulations. The 2026 edition (24-26 March 2026) is now past; the next edition is expected in 2027.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | **2027 (date TBC)** | **Ecole militaire** | **ACADEM** | **not disclosed** | | 3 days (annual) | Paris, France | French Ministry of Armed Forces | By invitation only | --- ## Definition The Paris Defence and Strategy Forum (PDSF) is an annual, invitation-only, three-day international forum hosted at the Ecole militaire in Paris, organised by the Académie de défense de l'Ecole militaire (ACADEM). It is designed to enable French and European strategic thinking to contribute effectively to the global debate on major defence and security issues. Each edition centres on a thematic focus and selects a guest-of-honour nation, with programmes comprising roundtables, plenary conferences, masterclasses, and strategic-game simulations. The 2026 edition -- the third -- ran from 24 to 26 March 2026 under the theme "Sovereignties, Alliances and Partnerships," with Denmark as guest of honour. The 2027 edition dates have not yet been announced. ## Origin and history ACADEM launched the PDSF as its flagship public event, building on the Ecole militaire's centuries-long role as France's premier military education institution. The forum was conceived to fill a gap between purely academic defence seminars and high-level governmental conferences: a space where strategic reflection is rigorous and multi-disciplinary, but also genuinely international and forward-looking. The first edition was held in 2024; the second in 2025, which notably hosted a first-ever joint summit of European chiefs of defence and a meeting of European defence ministers on the forum sidelines. By the third edition in 2026 the PDSF had established itself as a landmark in the French and European defence-strategy calendar. ## The 2027 edition: expected themes Exact dates and themes for the 2027 edition have not been announced as of June 2026. Based on the trajectory of previous editions -- from European strategic autonomy (2025) to sovereignties and alliances (2026) -- the 2027 forum is expected to continue addressing the structural questions raised by the war in Ukraine, NATO cohesion, and European defence industrial capacity. ACADEM has signalled continued ambition to grow the international participation of the forum. Dates will be confirmed on the official ACADEM and PDSF websites. ## Where the PDSF sits in the defence calendar The PDSF occupies a unique niche as the premier French-language, government-anchored strategic forum. In the spring calendar it sits alongside events such as the Munich Security Conference (February) and precedes Eurosatory (biennial, June). Unlike trade shows or procurement exhibitions, it has no industry exhibition component. Among its closest international comparators are the Halifax International Security Forum (Canada) and the Shangri-La Dialogue (Singapore), which similarly convene senior officials and strategic thinkers in a closed, discussion-focused format. ## Who attends the PDSF Participation is strictly by invitation. The core audience comprises: senior military officers (chiefs of defence, flag officers), defence ministers and senior officials from France and allied nations, French and European parliamentarians, academic researchers in strategic studies, think-tank analysts, and selected industry representatives with strategic policy relevance. International delegations are a key feature; Denmark attended as guest of honour in 2026. The event is not open to the general public or to standard industry attendees. ## What the PDSF format includes Over three days the forum alternates between plenary conferences with high-profile speakers, smaller roundtable discussions, masterclasses led by subject-matter experts, and strategic-game (wargame) simulations that allow participants to test scenarios and stress-test assumptions. Sessions are conducted primarily in French and English with interpretation. The closed, Chatham House-style atmosphere is designed to encourage frank exchanges that would not occur in a fully public setting. There is no exhibition component. ## What the PDSF covers The forum addresses major cross-cutting strategic and defence issues. Recurring themes include: - European strategic autonomy and sovereignty - Alliance dynamics: NATO, EU defence cooperation, bilateral partnerships - The future of deterrence (nuclear, conventional, cyber, space) - Hybrid warfare, information operations, and grey-zone conflicts - Defence industrial base and armament cooperation - Emerging and disruptive technologies in a strategic context ## The 2026 edition in numbers *(organiser-declared)* | | | |---|---| | Duration | 3 days (24-26 March 2026) | | Theme | Sovereignties, Alliances and Partnerships | | Guest of honour | Kingdom of Denmark | | Format | Roundtables, conferences, masterclasses, strategic-game simulations | | Access | By invitation only | | Attendance | not disclosed | --- ## FAQ - Identity and audience ### How does the PDSF differ from a standard defence conference? The PDSF is a closed, invitation-only strategic forum with no exhibition floor and no commercial programme. Its primary output is strategic reflection and high-level dialogue, not procurement or business development. Participants are selected for their role and expertise, not their commercial interest. ### Is the PDSF conducted under Chatham House rules? ACADEM has not explicitly adopted the Chatham House label, but the closed and invitation-only format is designed to encourage frank discussion. Session transcripts or quotes are not routinely published; the forum aims to create a protected space for strategic dialogue. ### What language is used? The PDSF is officially bilingual (French and English). Simultaneous interpretation is available for plenary sessions. Roundtables may run predominantly in French. --- ## The venue: Ecole militaire, Paris The Ecole militaire is a historic military education complex located at 1 Place Joffre, 75007 Paris, adjacent to the Champ-de-Mars and facing the Eiffel Tower. Founded by Louis XV in 1750, it now houses multiple French defence education and research institutions including ACADEM. The campus combines grand 18th-century architecture with modern conference facilities. Access for invited participants is coordinated by ACADEM; the site operates under standard French military security protocols. The nearest Metro stations are La Motte-Picquet-Grenelle (lines 6, 8, 10) and Ecole Militaire (line 8). ## The organiser: ACADEM The Académie de défense de l'Ecole militaire (ACADEM) is the French Ministry of Armed Forces' principal institution for senior defence education and strategic research. It groups together France's leading defence schools and research centres, coordinates inter-institutional doctoral programmes, and organises open strategic events such as the PDSF. ACADEM reports to the French Chief of the Defence Staff and is governed by the Ministry of Armed Forces. Its mission is to develop strategic culture and foster reflection on defence and security issues within France and among international partners. --- ## Editorial take *France's most ambitious attempt to host a Davos-equivalent for European strategic affairs: a closed, invitation-only gathering at the Ecole militaire where ministers, chiefs of defence, and scholars argue about the shape of European security without a single exhibition stand in sight.* --- ## How to register and what it costs The PDSF is accessible by invitation only; there is no open registration process. Invitations are issued by ACADEM through institutional channels. Organisations wishing to participate as partners or sponsors can contact ACADEM directly; a partner club was introduced from the 2026 edition. Access conditions and any partnership costs are not publicly disclosed. ## FAQ - Access and practicalities ### How can an organisation be invited to the PDSF? Invitations are issued at ACADEM's discretion through institutional, governmental, and academic networks. Organisations with a strategic-research profile or defence-policy mandate may apply to ACADEM directly to be considered for future editions. A "partner club" for corporate and institutional sponsors was introduced for PDSF 2026. ### Is the PDSF open to journalists? Accreditation for journalists is handled separately and selectively by ACADEM's communications team. Press inquiries should be directed to ACADEM through the official contact form on defense.gouv.fr/academ. ### When are 2027 dates expected? As of June 2026, ACADEM has not announced 2027 dates. Based on the pattern of the first three editions (all held in late March), the 2027 edition is likely to take place in March 2027. The official ACADEM website and PDSF website should be monitored for announcements. --- ## First time at the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum? How to prepare - **Secure your invitation well in advance.** The PDSF is strictly by invitation; if you are targeting a first attendance, approach ACADEM or a sponsoring partner organisation at least six months before the expected event date. - **Prepare substantive positions, not presentations.** The forum is discussion-driven; participants are expected to engage actively in roundtables, not to deliver prepared remarks. Arrive with a clear view on the year's thematic pillars and be ready to defend or revise it under peer scrutiny. - **Brush up on French strategic terminology.** While interpretation is available, many corridor conversations and informal sessions run in French. Basic familiarity with French defence-policy vocabulary significantly increases your engagement. - **Expect a protocol-conscious environment.** The Ecole militaire is a formal military institution. Business formal or military dress is the norm for all sessions; follow the specific dress guidance in your invitation. - **Use the strategic-game sessions actively.** The simulation and wargame sessions are the most interactive elements of the programme. They are genuinely analytical, not theatrical -- prepare to think through second and third-order effects. --- ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://parisdefencestrategyforum.com/en/ | | ACADEM page | https://www.defense.gouv.fr/academ | | LinkedIn | not disclosed | | X | https://twitter.com/acad_em | | Register | Not open -- invitation only | | Programme (2026 edition) | https://parisdefencestrategyforum.com/en/programme | --- **Last verified:** 2026-06-10 **Next review:** 2026-12-01 **Notes:** Data sourced from official PDSF website, defense.gouv.fr/academ, and press sources fetched 2026-06-10. The 2026 edition (24-26 March 2026) has passed; this fiche now points to 2027 as next edition. Attendance figures not publicly disclosed by organiser. Guest-of-honour nation (Denmark) and theme ("Sovereignties, Alliances and Partnerships") verified from official announcements. **Variables:** 36/58 **Concept definition:** applicable