Past event: RAF Air Power Official Conference & Exhibition

Optimising the Air and Space Contribution to National Security

The United Kingdom’s fighting services are approaching a strategic crossroads. The publication of a defence Green Paper early in 2010 and the likelihood of a Defence and Security Review following the general election will have significant implications for the size, shape and structure of the UK’s armed forces. 'Meeting the Challenge' - the Royal Air Force Air Power Conference 2010 - aims to take stock of these developments and explore how air and space power can make a relevant contribution in responding to the strategic choices posed in the Green Paper, in a context constrained by fiscal stringency and where ongoing operations in support of the ISAF mission in Afghanistan remain the main effort for defence.

Conference Programme

The conference will build on the success of RAF APC09 by engaging the widest possible audience to explore and debate how the delivery of air and space power can be optimised to maximise its value in support of the national interest. Delegates will be encouraged to think about how air and space power can be used to create influence and provide ‘smart power’ in conjunction with other government departments, contributing to the provision of security in the round. The international dimension will be important, and perspectives will be sought and exchanged with allies and partners. Inevitably, optimising the air and space contribution demands a balanced air force structure, but one where the focus is on capabilities, rather than platforms. Areas ripe for debate will include the balance between manned and unmanned elements, between capability and mass, and between high (and emerging) technology and lower technology capabilities. Similarly, the space and cyberspace domains are growing in importance - both for defence and in underpinning critical elements of the national infrastructure – and will demand serious consideration. 

Undoubtedly, RAF APC10 will expose the extent of the challenges involved in optimising air and space power’s contribution to national security in the current strategic environment; but ‘Meeting the Challenge’ will also highlight those areas where air power offers a clear, comparative advantage over other levers of national power.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, said:

"I am privileged to lead an air force that has been engaged actively and continuously on operations across every stage of the spectrum of conflict over the last two decades. The scale and variety of the RAF’s involvement has demonstrated that the air and space contribution is vital to defence and security at every level. "Meeting the Challenge" will provide an outstanding forum for us to develop our thinking about how we can continue to provide relevant, affordable and capable air and space power in support of the national interest in the future, and I welcome the opportunity to share our ideas with leaders and opinion formers from across the military, government and industry."

Hosted by:

• Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, KCB, ADC, BSc, FRAeS, CCMI, RAF, Chief of the Air Staff

Top speakers include:

• General Jean-Paul Palomeros, Chief of Staff, French Air Force
• General Norman A Schwartz, Chief of Staff, US Air Force
• General Commander Kevin P Chilton, Commander, STRATCOM, US

Venue

Park Plaza Victoria London
239 Vauxhall Bridge Road
London SW1V 1EQ

Located near London's vibrant South Bank and directly opposite the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, the hotel is perfectly located.  Waterloo mainline station and Westminster tube station are only 5 minutes walk away as are the myriad entertainment offerings along the South Bank such as the London Eye, London Aquarium, Dali Universe, the National Theatre and the Royal Festival Hall.