Institut des hautes études de défense nationale

The Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (fr: Institute of Advanced Studies in National Defence) is a French public Academic Institution for research, education and promotion of expertise and sensitization towards defence matters, founded in 1936 by Admiral Raoul Castex. It is under the direct responsibility of the Prime Minister, and located in the École Militaire.

The vocation of the Institute is to train high-level military, government officials and high-ranking executives in defence matters. Some sessions are reserved for young auditors, generally students in the foremost Grandes Ecoles, and under the age of 30. In 2010, the deputy director of the defense college was Robert Ranquet.