During Eurosatory, the world’s leading defense and security exhibition, Chad’s Minister of National Defense, War Veterans, and Victims of War, General Issakha Malloua Djamouss, sat down with his French counterpart, Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin. The meeting followed ongoing political discussions between Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The agenda centered on bilateral defense cooperation and shared security objectives. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to upholding each other’s strategic interests and sovereignty, as outlined in Chad’s official defense statement.

The ministers explored concrete steps to implement the recently signed letter of intent between the two nations. They emphasized building a partnership rooted in mutual trust and continuous dialogue to address today’s security challenges.

Chad reiterated its dedication to a balanced and mutually advantageous defense relationship, crucial for regional stability and the enhancement of its armed forces. Key priorities include strengthening air defense cooperation, with discussions on pilot training, intelligence sharing, and French technical support to upgrade Chad’s aerial capabilities.

French military officials highlighted their desire to regain access to N’Djamena’s airbase, enabling strategic air operations when required. A French officer noted that this would allow rapid deployment of resources, while a Chadian general acknowledged that French support could bolster responses to emerging security threats.

The Chadian delegation signaled a clear preference for closer ties with France, expressing dissatisfaction with security proposals from other international partners.