EADS Defence & Security and Thales have completed deployment operations leading to the entry into operational service of the initial version of the Paris Strategy Centre (PSP) Information and Communication System. The deployment concerns the Armed Forces Headquarters (EMA) and the Military Intelligence Directorate (DRM).

This initial version was completed under a contract known as the Complete Restructuring of the Information and Communication Systems of the Paris Strategy Centre (OE SIC PSP). This contract, worth approximately €70 million, was awarded to EADS Defence & Security, the representative, and Thales, along with their partners, INEO and Cegelec, in October 2006. It covers a programme involving the complete remodelling of the information and communication systems of the French High Command at the Paris Strategy Centre. The programme duration is six years, for completion of the system, with a possible extension of five years for maintenance.

Today the PSP system is deployed in its initial version at the Ilot Saint-Germain (ISG) in Paris and at the DRM in Creil, and is available for over 2,000 users.

The new system offers a network architecture that can be easily reconfigured and ensures that the Paris Strategy Centre command centre has an initial capability level designed for collaborative work with a modernised and attractive information system working in synergy with the existing system.

The network infrastructure modernisation and extension work will continue with the delivery of the five upper levels of the central tower, along with work to ensure moisture protection and reinforced shielding of the communication nodes.

PSP users include staff officers, intelligence personnel and allied officers involved in inter-allied operations. The second version of the new system will offer a unified, open EMA-DRM command centre capable of implementing a policy designed to promote information flow and operational effectiveness.

The PSP system, which replaces the existing Armed Forces Command and Information System (SICA), aims to ensure convergence and interoperability with respect to other operations initiated by the Ministry of Defence. Furthermore, the PSP system meets the new requirements of the EMA by increasing the fluidity of information sharing while ensuring stringent security.

Thanks to the PSP system, France is now capable of setting up an Inter-Allied Operational Head Quarter (OHQ) in accordance with European Union objectives.

A second capability level will be introduced in 2010, with a unified Information System. It will increase the fluidity of exchanges between the EMA, DRM and allies, and will allow the progressive introduction of applications targeted at specific operational requirements. This second capability level is already designed to be adapted to the requirements of the future “French Pentagon” which should be ready on the Balard site in 2012, with a view to progressively entering operational service from 2014 onwards.