THE SUMMIT
Operate where the environment dictates the rules.
The International Summit on Mountain Troops and Extreme Cold Weather Operations (SITM) will bring together military forces, industry representatives, and experts involved in preparing for combat in mountainous terrain, at high altitudes, and in extreme cold on February 10 and 11, 2027, in Grenoble.
With two days of exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and high-level meetings, SITM is currently the only event in the world that treats mountains, extreme cold, and extreme environments as a single operational continuum and covers the entire spectrum: strategic, doctrinal, technological, industrial, human, and combat.
The SITM is based on a simple belief: operations in the mountains and in extreme cold cannot be planned without the people who experience them, prepare for them, and equip them. In these environments, operational experience is a strategic asset.
Building on the expertise of the 27th Mountain Infantry Brigade, with support from the Ministry of the Armed Forces and the international experience of Eurosatory, the summit was designed as a forum for direct dialogue between operators and equipment manufacturers.
It is based in Grenoble, in the heart of a region with historic ties to mountain troops, and draws on the close ties that the 27th BIM maintains with its partners in the Far North, the Alpine region, Northern and Eastern Europe, North America, and the Middle East: operational exchanges, joint training, and high-level exercises.
AMONG THE THEMES AT THE HEART OF DEBATE AT THE FIRST EDITION
- Adapting to climate change
Climate change can have a significant impact on weather conditions in mountainous terrain or areas of extreme cold. Armies need to be prepared for extreme and unpredictable weather conditions, such as more frequent snowstorms or periods of accelerated glacier melt.
- Customised technologies and equipment
Armies need to invest in technologies and equipment specifically designed for operations in mountainous terrain. These include all-terrain vehicles, reconnaissance drones suited to mountain conditions, and communications and navigational equipment capable of operating in difficult environments.
- Logistics and supply management
Logistics and supply in mountainous terrain and areas of extreme cold are a major challenge. Armies will need to develop effective strategies for transporting supplies and equipment over rugged and often isolated terrain.
- Specialist training
Soldiers need specialist training to cope with the unique challenges of mountain combat. This includes skills in climbing, survival in hostile environments, and tactics tailored to mountain topography.
- Adapting to asymmetric threats
In addition to the traditional challenges posed by conventional armies, military forces must also be prepared to deal with asymmetric threats such as terrorism, guerrilla warfare and sabotage in mountainous terrain.
- International cooperation
As many mountainous regions cross several national borders, international cooperation is essential to ensure security and stability in these areas. Armies therefore need to develop the ability to collaborate and coordinate with other nations operating in similar mountainous regions.