FED 2019 - MIFAMAG

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The budget allocated to the Army is a recurrent issue.
How does the SIMMT optimise its means in the
face of budgetary constraints without jeopardising
ground operations?
First of all, we must specify that the military programming
law 2019-2025 fully recognises the need
to maintain the equipment linked to the rise of the
operational preparation of the activity of the forces.
The resources for the programmed maintenance of
equipment are on the up for this period.
Obviously, the SIMMT is in Order of Battle and enjoys
the tools to optimise the use of resources entrusted
by the army staff and other contractors. The
SIMMT relies on an overall performance resting on
the search for efficiency in every sector where this
is possible. In a first while, the integrated organisation
of the SIMMT is a key factor of the MCO-T’s global
performance. From the definition of support and
contracting to until the liquidation of expenditure, it
allows optimizing the physical-budgetary room for
manoeuvre and to establish an essential physical-financial
link between the allocated resource and expected
production.
Moreover, we are reinforcing this physical and financial
link by developing genuine economic models for
each of the main equipment parks to identify spending
for the right need, depending on the available
state and private production means.
mament programmes and that are most often acquired
by the means of purchasing platforms and “on
the shelf”. We are summoned by the various armies,
directorates and departments for all ground equipment,
mostly for little or non-militarised vehicles,
small calibre weapons, or still, optical devices.
You say that equipment maintenance is an act of
combat. But maintenance can seem like a less attractive
function for the public or popular media,
unlike other more “warrior” operational function. Is
this the case?
For the past ten years, there has been a rise in the
awareness of our sturdier engagements, yesterday
in Afghanistan, today in the Sahel-Saharan region.
All our operations are carried out in a Joint Warfare
or joint framework, where everyone realises the interest
and contribution of adjacent operational functions.
They are all complementary. Each weapon
has its specificities and attracts a different public.
Although less mediatised than other operational
functions that lead operations, everybody know and
considers maintenance as an essential function on
the ground. The Equipment section does however
recruit its staff from another pool. Moreover, we are
developing new partnerships with the national department
of education, particularly vocational colleges,
to draw the best young people into our ranks.
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Finally, since the last 10 years, the SIMMT develops
and implements global contracts that we call Markets
for Support in Service (MSS) and that interest
the industrials in terms of performance: the support
of the Leclerc tank is a precursor in this area.
You spoke of “warrior” operational functions. In actual
fact, the warrior spirit irrigates the entire army,
regardless of weaponry, as it combines discipline,
technology and tradition, which are qualities that can
be found in all our units.
M.I.F.A. - FED 2019
Does the SIMMT enjoy close contacts with the DGA
to prepare for the arrival of new equipment and to
anticipate the resultant maintenance?
The Directorate General of Armaments is an indispensable
support for the SIMMT in the elaboration
of the support strategies for new equipment. The arrival
of new equipment is steered by integrated programme
teams with which the SIMMT participates
hand-in-hand, along with the DGA and the Technical
Section of the Army. The maintenance problematic
is considered as soon as possible so that the future
equipment can be as efficiently supported from their
first day of use and in time.
Is the SIMMT likely to purchase other equipment in
complement of the DGA. What type of equipment?
What is its purpose?
Indeed, without being an organ for the acquisition
of capacity, the SIMMT acquires equipment for the
forces. This equipment complements the major ar-
My General, during our interview you broached several
concrete concepts and subjects. Could you summarise
them in just one word?
Modern. I believe that the MCO-T is a resolutely modern
domain, both in the techniques and processes
and in the state of mind. All the areas relating to the
MCO-T are becoming increasingly complex and modern.
In the face of this modernisation, the MCO-T
adapts to its environment. This adaptation is more
essential still that the expectations from the armed
forces are constantly growing. The challenge is
considerable, but the men and women of the MCO-T
seem ready to take it up. Every day, they see the fruit
of their work. The progresses made these past two
years in terms of the availability of the equipment
motivate us to relentlessly continue the construction
of tomorrow’s maintenance. I’m confident!
Marie-Madeleine COURTIAL
M.I.F.A. - FED 2019