The Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (fr: Institute of Advanced Studies in National Defence) is a French public institution for expertise and sensibilisation towards defence matters, founded in 1936 by Admiral Raoul Castex. It is under direct responsibility of the Prime Minister, and located in the École Militaire. The vocation of the Institute is to train military and civilian public servants in defence matters. In 2010, the deputy director of the defense college was Robert Ranquet.