Admiral Nicolas Vaujour

Admiral Nicolas Vaujour served as Chief of the French Navy from 2023 to 2026, with responsibility for the generation, readiness and transformation of France’s naval forces. In this capacity, he advised national political authorities on maritime strategy, force posture and capability development in the context of renewed great-power competition and the return of high-intensity warfare. He also oversaw major modernisation programmes and the development of international naval cooperation within NATO and the European Union.

From 2021 to 2023, Admiral Vaujour served as Commander, Joint Operations of the French Armed Forces, responsible for all French military operations, both in France and overseas, including Special Operations Forces. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he led the deployment of the French-led NATO Spearhead Battalion to Romania. In 2023, he directed the international Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation in Sudan.

Over almost four decades of service, Admiral Vaujour has accumulated extensive operational and strategic experience in joint and multinational operations, crisis response, hybrid warfare, nuclear deterrence, maritime security, sea control and power projection. He has commanded major surface combatants, including an air-defence destroyer, and has extensive experience in carrier strike group operations and the protection of strategic sea lines of communication.

A graduate of the French Naval Academy, Joint War College and advanced national defence studies, Admiral Vaujour is a Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour and holds several French and foreign military decorations.