The UK’s Defence Command Paper 2023 indicated the importance of integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) for both the homeland and fielded forces. As a year of high-intensity warfighting in Europe has illustrated, the effective defence of both strategic rear areas and fielded forces will be critical to a range of functions including defence production, the sustainment of forces and supporting civilian populations.
Efforts to field effective national IAMD capabilities which can contribute to an alliance architecture will occur in a context where the threat environment is becoming more complex at every level of warfare. Tactical threats to fielded forces including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, UAVs and fourth-generation aircraft will increasingly converge. At greater depth, adversary strike options will include a range of capabilities such as hypersonics which are optimised against radar-based solutions.
Contending with a complex threat environment will require the ability to draw on and coordinate a wide range of sensors and effectors. In addition to inherent systems engineering challenges, this creates dilemmas for middle powers, which will have to consider trade-offs between sovereign capabilities and those that are allied by design in resource-constrained environments.
Confirmed Speakers
- Sam Cranny-Evans, RUSI Associate Fellow
- Dr Uzi Rubin, Former Director IMDO
- Dr Thomas Withington, RUSI Associate Fellow
- Thomas Bajorek, Assistant Head BMD, C-UAS UK MoD
- Radoslava Stefanova, Head of IAMD Section, NATO Defence Investment Division
- Air Cdre Andrew Martin, HQ Air Command, RAF
- Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, Mitchell Institute
- Alessandro Marrone, Head of Defence Programme, IAI
- Lord Toby Harris, Chair National Preparedness Commission
- Brigadier General Glauco Mora, Commander of the Aerospace Control Brigade, Italian Air Force
- Lt Col Stuart Hay, Commander of 7th Air Defence Group, British Army
- Dr Philippe Roudier, Area Protection Product Line Group Director, MBDA
- Tristam Constant, Senior Director Europe, Anduril
- Dr Anthony Wraight, Director Missile Defence Centre
- Professor Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow for Airpower, RUSI
- Richard Drake, General Manager, Anduril UK
Who Should Attend and Why
This conference will bring together scholars and practitioners from both sides of the Atlantic to examine how European middle powers can navigate the future air and missile threat environment. As an independent voice, RUSI provides a neutral and critical space for delegates to have vital discussions on the best ways to deliver a credible integrated air and missile defence.
Joining Instructions
This is an in-person only conference taking place at RUSI, 61 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2ET. Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day for delegates.
Attribution
All speeches and prepared remarks are ‘on the record’ and are attributable to the individual and the event organised by the Royal United Services Institute. All comments made in response to questions (i.e. the non-prepared remarks) are ‘off the record’ and not for reporting, attributable neither to the individual, nor to the event. THIS INCLUDES ALL FORMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA. If a member of the media wishes to quote any remark that is unattributable by these rules, they should seek the permission of the speaker of those specific remarks.
