Successful transformation of our forces means firstly taking note of the transformation that is taking place in war itself and the challenges that this represents for our armed forces. This requires an overall approach to our defence capability, drawing conclusions from the continuity between operations, the development of military capabilities and the administration of the forces (extracts from a speech by the Chief of the French Defence Staff, General Jean-Louis Georgelin, on opening the colloquium ‘Europe and Transformation’ on 5 February 2008; www.defense.gouv.fr/ema).