Thierry Burkhard is a French Army general who has served as Chief of the Defence Staff since 22 July 2021. He previously served as Inspector of the French Army (2018–2019) and Chief of Staff of the French Army (2019–2021).

The Chief of the Defence Staff is the military head of the Armed Forces of the French Republic, overseeing all military operations. They are responsible to the Minister of the Armed Forces and their deputy is the Major General of the Defence Staff. Since the 1950s, the office has been held only by four-star generals (OF–9), either from the Army, the Navy, or the Air and Space Force. The current Chief is General Thierry Burkhard, who took the position on 22 July 2021.