📋 Tender Overview
On the proposal of the Minister of Defense, Yuriko Backes, the Government Council decided to propose to HRH the Grand Duke the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Robinet as future Chief of Staff of the Luxembourg Army. He will replace General Steve Thull, who has exercised his retirement rights, from October 1, 2026. Lieutenant-Colonel Robinet will be appointed general from the same date. Until that date, General Thull will continue to fulfill his responsibilities. (from left to right) Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Robinet, Luxembourg Army; Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense (c) MAE Lieutenant-Colonel Robinet was chosen by Minister Backes following a multi-phase selection process, which began in October 2025. Transformation is Lieutenant-Colonel Robinets area of responsibility. I am therefore convinced that I have chosen the best candidate, who will continue with new momentum the transformation already underway. His mission is clear: to prepare the Luxembourg Army for the future, taking into account the evolving situation geopolitics, emerging technologies and the evolution of our society, underlined Yuriko Backes. During a handover-resumption phase which will begin in the coming weeks, Lieutenant-Colonel Robinet will be able to prepare for his future role as Chief of Staff of the Army. He will lead the Army at a time marked by geopolitical upheavals and historic challenges for Luxembourg Defense. Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Robinet is currently head of the Transformation Department of the Army and national representative to the Belgian Defense. Lieutenant-Colonel Robinet completed his training as an officer candidate at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels before being appointed lieutenant in 1999. Graduated from the Staff School in Compiegne - France in 2007, he continued his studies in 2017 in the United States. During this cycle of higher military education at the National Defense University in Washington D.C., he obtained his Master of Science in National Resource Strategy with a specialization in national security and defense strategy, leadership, resource strategy, industrial studies - robotics and autonomous systems. Lieutenant-Colonel Claude Robinet participated in NATOs Kosovo Force (KFOR) in 2002, in 2005 and from 2011 to 2012 in NATOs International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The Minister of Defense, Yuriko Backes, would like to thank General Thull for his good and loyal service during 4 decades within the Army.
