Programme
This conference will bring together senior air force leaders, alongside policymakers and experts from the industry and think tanks, to discuss and debate optimal paths for the future. As an independent voice, RUSI offers a neutral and critical space to have these vital discussions, and provides for other members of the air power community to engage openly as an audience. Many countries – including the UK – are looking towards another round of defence reviews, with ever more being asked of force planners and budget-holders in the face of a deteriorating security outlook. Therefore, these timely discussions will help generate mutual understanding and ideas for how NATO countries can meet their defence and deterrence needs together.
Agenda
09:00 - 09:25 Registration
Tea, coffee and other rereshments will be available for conference delegates during registration.
09:30 - 10:45 In Conversation: The Global Threat Trajectory
Michael Kofman, Senior Russia Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for Peace
The Course of the War in Ukraine, Russian Politics and Long-Term Threat
Dr Sophy Antrobus, Research Fellow, Freeman Air and Space Institute
RAF Challenges and Opportunities this Decade
Professor Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow for Airpower, RUSI
Military Trajectory in Ukraine and Implications for NATO Air Forces
10:45 - 11:10 Coffee Break
Refreshments will be available for conference delegates.
11:15 - 12:30 Turning the Ship Around - Refocusing on Warfighting
Chair: Professor Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow for Airpower, RUSI
Speakers
Lt Gen. André "Jabba" Steur, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
Reforging RNLAF’s Warfighting Edge to Fight Tonight and Tomorrow
Maj. Gen. Cezary Wiśniewski, Deputy General Commander, Polish Armed Forces
Rapid Acquisition and Force Readiness Growth to Bolster Deterrence
Air Cdre Blythe Crawford, Commandant, Air and Space Warfare Centre, RAF
Driving Electronic Warfare and C2 Transformation for the Royal Air Force
Jonas Grönberg, Head of Strategy and Portfolio – Electronic Warfare, Saab AB
Rapidly Enhancing European Electronic Attack Capabilities
12:30 - 13:10 Lunch
Lunch will be provided to conference delegates.
13:15 - 14:30 Complementary Specialisation: The Nordic Air Forces
Chair: Matthew Savill, Director Military Sciences, RUSI
Speakers
Maj. Gen Jonas Wikman, Chief of the Swedish Air Force
Swedish Air Force Specialisation Options to Complement Nordic Allies
Col. Søren Andersen, Director of Operations, Royal Danish Air Force
Danish Air Power and the Nordic Air Power Concept
Lt. Col. Jan Bjurström, Deputy Director Air Operations Centre, Finnish Air Force
Nordic Air Power on the Eastern Border
Royal Norwegian Air Force speaker (Name TBC)
Containing the Bastion on Europe’s Northern Flank
14:30 - 14:45 Coffee Break
Tea and coffee will be available for conference delegates.
14:45 - 16:00 Balancing Next-Generation Programmes and Force Modernisation
Chair: Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo, European Correspondent for Defense News
Speakers
Lt. Gen. Richard Moore, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, US Air Force
Balancing Modernization & Current Operations
Maj. Gen. Vincent Chusseau, Chief of Capability Development, French Air Force
Rafale F4R, F5R and SCAF – the Future of the Armée de L’Air et de L’Espace
Richard Hamilton, Managing Director, Europe & International, BAE Systems Air
The Route to Combat Air Resilience
Amelia Gould, Managing Director, Helsing UK
Applying lessons from Ukraine to Rapidly Iterate Capabilities
16:00 - 16:45 Closing Keynote Address
Chair: Professor Justin Bronk, Senior Research Fellow for Airpower, RUSI
Speaker: Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force