Description
Dominating the Skies and Beyond: Agile, Integrated and Ready
‘In 2026, the rate of change in the global strategic environment shows no signs of abating, if anything, the tempo is increasing. However, there is a constant – the need for air and space power to dominate the skies and beyond. Mastering our domain is what we do; to provide the joint and coalition force with the freedom of action it needs to secure the battlespace, our nations, our interests, and our way of life. This is the ultimate team game; we cannot do this alone.
GASCC26 will explore the challenge and stimulate debate amongst the team who are responsible for delivering agility, integration, and readiness to global air and space power today, tomorrow and together. I look forward to seeing you at the merge!’
Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth
Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force
About the Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference
The Chief of the Air Staff’s Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference brings together global leaders in Air and Space Power with captains of industry and technology enhanced by experts from international academia.
The conference explores the strategic challenges facing the Royal Air Force and Whole Force partners as well as international partners and global allies through a combination of keynote speakers, presentations and diverse panels formed of military, academic, industrial and other scientific and practitioner experts.
Held at the Institution of Engineering & Technology, Savoy Place, London, the Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference features conference, networking areas and displays and an exclusive reception on the evening of Day One. The conference is also broadcast for virtual attendees.
Conference Theme:
Dominating the Skies and Beyond – Agile, Integrated and Ready
The conference theme explores three key capability areas: space, nuclear and integrated air and missile defence. These focus areas are critical to the UK and to key partner nations as we develop and deliver domination of the skies and beyond.
The conference features the following sessions plus Keynote speeches.
- Nuclear – Back to the Future?
The decision to procure the F-35A provides an opportunity for the RAF to return to the nuclear role. After a three-decade sabbatical, the RAF must refresh its ‘nuclear IQ.’ AVM Jim Beck, Director Capability, will lead the first session with Lieutenant General Stéphane Virem, Strategic Air Force Commander, French Air & Space Force, sharing his insights on France’s approach to airborne nuclear capability. The panel includes an Indo-Pacific expert and a leading industry figure who will discuss re-introducing a critical capability to the UK’s and NATO’s inventory.
2. Operationalising the Space Domain
Following the exploration of air-delivered nuclear capability, we shift focus to the rapidly evolving space domain and the importance of space domain awareness for allied security. Following a keynote address by an international space commander, a panel of space experts and practitioners will examine how we achieve optimum space domain awareness and what can be done to counter the threats to this key domain.
3. Putting the Integrated into IAMD
With NATO First and Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) both central tenets of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, this third session brings both elements together. Air Vice-Marshal Andy Martin, the UK’s Director IAMD, will chair a panel to look at the challenges and opportunities of developing and delivering IAMD, with valuable input from an international air chief, RAND Europe, and industry.
4. Delivering the Integrated Force
Having explored integration in IAMD, this session will go on to examine how this approach extends across all the UK armed forces This panel will address for the first time how each of the UK’s armed forces and each service can develop and deliver together a fully integrated approach to operations.
5. Contemporary Air & Space Power Lessons
This final panel will debate the challenges and opportunities of innovating for multi-domain effect. Air Marshal Al Marshall, the RAF’s Air & Space Commander, will lead the session supported by an international chief, RUSI’s Dr Jack Watling, and a senior industry figure.
Keynote speakers:
- Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon John Healey
- Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force
- Two international air and space force commanders
International Air & Space Commanders from key allies and partners will join panels discussing themes such as emerging technologies, strategic collaboration, and global security challenges.
The Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference offers unparalleled networking opportunities, exclusive insights from top commanders, and access to the latest industry innovations, making it an essential event for defence professionals, industry partners, and academic experts.
Tickets on sale now
Please click on the ticket tab at the top of the page to purchase tickets.
Sponsorship opportunities start from £4950+ VAT. For more information, please e-mail catherine@airspacepower.com
All tickets include a fully catered package of arrival tea, coffee and pastries, morning coffee and biscuits, hot buffet lunch and afternoon tea and cake.
Gold tickets £1100 + VAT ** SOLD OUT**
There are a limited number of gold tickets available for the conference. These tickets will provide:
- Access to the whole conference on both days at the IET
- An invitation to the VIP lunch in the Riverside room on the top floor of the IET
- An invitation to the VIP evening reception held in the Riverside room and on the Johnson roof terrace (weather permitting) at the IET on Wednesday 15th July
- Full access to the conference via The Air and Space Power Association’s virtual platform with opportunities to take part in the live question and answer sessions on the conference days
- Catch-up facility available
Silver tickets £599 +VAT
Silver tickets provide the holder with:
- Access to the whole conference on both days of the IET with the full catering package provided in the downstairs rooms
- Full access to the conference via The Air and Space Power Association’s virtual platform with opportunities to take part in the live question and answer sessions on the conference days
- Catch-up facility available
Virtual Tickets
Please register free of charge for these, using the virtual access tab at the top of this page
- Full access to the conference via The Air and Space Power Association’s virtual platform
- Full access and catch-up facilities available
For information on our refunds policy or any of our terms and conditions please click here.
