Jérémy Bachelier: A Leading Voice on Arctic Strategy and Geopolitics
Jérémy Bachelier is a French Navy officer and expert in Arctic geopolitics and maritime strategy. Currently serving as an aero-maritime expert at the Directorate General of International Relations and Strategy (DGRIS), he played a key role in developing France’s Arctic defense strategy, published in July 2025. His career has focused on external operations, encompassing both at-sea deployments and strategic planning roles.
Naval Career and Expertise
Commander Bachelier’s 27-year career in the French Navy has been largely dedicated to external operations, with responsibilities held on eight combat ships and within various staff positions . He is a graduate of the French Naval Academy.
Role in French Arctic Strategy
As an expert at DGRIS, Bachelier contributed significantly to the formulation of France’s novel defense strategy for the Arctic region. This strategy, launched in 2025, aims to promote stability and safeguard France’s ability to operate in the increasingly contested Arctic environment . The strategy is overseen by the DGRIS.
The Growing Strategic Importance of the Arctic
The Arctic is gaining prominence as a region of strategic importance due to its vast natural resources and changing geopolitical landscape. The resurgence of conflict in Europe has further amplified the strategic significance of the region, raising concerns about potential inter-state tensions . The region is characterized by its size – over 14 million square kilometers – and the limited number of countries with a direct presence, including Russia, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark (via Greenland), the United States (via Alaska), and Canada .
Public Engagement and Analysis
Bachelier actively shares his expertise through public platforms. He participated in a podcast episode titled “Arctic: Tension Under the Ice” with the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, alongside Camille Escudé, a researcher at Sciences Po Paris . He also featured in an interview on Diploweb.com, discussing the strategic importance of the Arctic . He was a military fellow at Ifri’s Security Studies Center (CES) and Ifri’s Defense Research Unit (LRD) .
Recent Work
As of February 15, 2026, Jérémy Bachelier continues to serve as an active officer in the French Navy and an aero-maritime expert at DGRIS .