06 Executive Summary The Luxembourg Defence Guidelines for 2025+ establish the framework for the development of Luxembourg’s Defence and describe the policy directions approved by the Government for the coming years. In setting forth the interests and objectives Luxembourg will pursue in the area of defence policy, these Guidelines reassert the relevance, credibility and visibility of the national defence effort in the context of the Grand Duchy’s international relations. Luxembourg today is a modern, dynamic, open and supportive country capable of contributing to the response to present-day challenges. Our country has benefited from the security enjoyed on the European continent thanks to the major role played by NATO1 and the European Union, and is committed to and supportive of a multilateralism founded on shared principles and values. The relevance and credibility of the defence effort are important not only in the context of NATO and the transatlantic relationship but also within the EU, where Luxembourg wishes to remain in the lead group as regards European integration. The unstable international security environment has brought about changes in international security and defence policies. Like the world around it, Luxembourg’s Defence is adapting. These Guidelines chart the course towards a modernization of Luxembourg’s defence organization and army. The men and women serving the cause of Luxembourg’s Defence are at the heart of this ambitious modernization. Consequently, this effort will entail increased investment in human resources, and also in relevant and effective equipment. The enhanced defence effort must involve a more diverse range of opportunities for defence personnel. To chart this course, the Luxembourg Defence Guidelines for 2025+ outline the following key directions and objectives: - confirm the 2014 commitment to increase Luxembourg’s defence effort by 50% up until 2020 and to continue increasing the defence effort beyond 2020; - develop the army, increasing its involvement in the defence effort by allocating to it a greater share of investments and creating more diverse and more technology-focused specializations, whilst not forsaking the importance of its social role; - modernize ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) capabilities through investment in new reconnaissance technologies (RPAS), as an extension of the traditional reconnaissance mission of the Luxembourg Armed Forces; - develop considerably the air component, with the acquisition of new capabilities and platforms for strategic lift, medical evacuation and maritime aerial surveillance; 1 To assist the reader, a glossary is provided at the end of this document