 The General Secretary manages the supplying of means, materials and weapon systems for the Armed Forces, the support to the Italian defence industry and direct/indirect offsets.The "Centro Alti Studi per la Difesa" ("Centre for Defence Higher Studies", CASD) is the highest organization of studies and training in the field of security and defence.CASD has the purpose to improve knowledges and skills of higher officials and civil defence officers, refine professional training and cultural formation of officers among interforces and to elaborate studies regarding the organization of national defence and military preparation.