Joint Air and Space Power Conference 2025
30 September - 2 October 2025
Grugahalle Essen
Disrupting Dominance: The Future of Air Superiority?
We cordially invite distinguished delegates, stakeholders, and experts in the field of Joint Air and Space Power to attend our annual conference, which will take place from 30 September to 2 October 2025 at the ‘Grugahalle’ in Essen, Germany. This event offers a forum to explore the theme of ‘Disrupting Dominance: The Future of Air Superiority?’.
For decades, NATO’s unrivalled air and space superiority has been a cornerstone of its collective deterrence strategy. That era is over.
Deteriorating geopolitics and disruptive technologies have fundamentally altered NATO’s strategic landscape by widening the spectrum of potential threats and challenging its previous foundations of air and space deterrence. On one end of the technological spectrum, cheap, commercially available drones and other weapons have lowered the barrier to entry onto the modern battlefield, enabling state and non-state actors to contest the air and space domains at a fraction of the cost of previous eras. Simultaneously, on the other end of the spectrum, advancements in space capabilities, sixth-generation fighters, and autonomous platforms are set to render legacy combat systems obsolete, demanding a significant and urgent modernization effort from NATO members.
This broadening array of threats requires NATO to reevaluate its deterrence strategies, defence plans, and overall combat capabilities. Investments in high-end systems must be balanced with the need for ‘affordable mass’ capable of countering new and diverse threats ranging from low-cost drone swarms to advanced hypersonic weapons. To address this challenge, NATO requires a comprehensive assessment of its current defence posture, a willingness to promote rapid innovation, and a commitment to interoperability and collaboration between Alliance governments, militaries, and industry partners.
As NATO reorients to a changing battlefield, it must answer the question, ‘How will we achieve air and space superiority in future operations?’
The 2025 Joint Air and Space Power Conference provides a forum to address these complex challenges. Participants can look forward to a comprehensive two-day programme featuring intellectually stimulating panels, thought-provoking sessions, and active engagement and networking opportunities.
Conference Overview
Conference Panels
Panel 1
Dominance Disrupted
This panel will delve into the evolving strategic environment by examining the current geopolitical environment, as well as the disruptive impact of two simultaneous trends in air superiority: First, the proliferation of readily available, cost-effective technologies such as loitering munitions and one-way attack drones, which has lowered the barrier to entry onto the modern battlefield and challenges NATO air superiority as we know it. Second, the panel will discuss the rapid modernization of peer competitors as they field 5th and 6th generation fleets, advanced weapons, and space platforms at an astonishing rate. This session will provide an overview of the complex factors shaping the future of air and space power, highlighting the urgency to adapt and innovate, and identifying areas for immediate action.
Panel 2
The Tech Horizon: Emerging Technologies and their Tactical Implications
This panel will explore the disruptive technologies that are arriving this decade. Experts will discuss advancements in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP), hypersonic weapons, and space warfare capabilities, and they will describe how these technologies are likely to broadly influence the design, employment, command & control, and survivability of future air and space capabilities. This panel will identify the opportunities and challenges presented by these breakthroughs while identifying the paradigm changes that will necessitate new operational concepts and tactical doctrine for air and space power.
Panel 3
Reshaping NATO’s Innovation Cycles
This panel will focus on how NATO can accelerate its innovation cycles to maintain a competitive edge on today’s rapidly changing battlefield. Participants will discuss options for streamlining NATO’s procurement processes and enhancing collaboration between industry and military stakeholders to foster a culture of experimentation, rapid prototyping, and novel manufacturing and logistical methods. Experts will also discuss interoperability and standardization challenges and solutions related to integrating potential new technologies across existing forces, ensuring seamless operation in a complex threat environment.
Panel 4
‘The Next Ten Years’ Thought Experiment
In this open-ended panel, we ask leading experts to discuss their highest priority tasks for NATO if the Alliance had between one and ten years to prepare for a major war. Panellists will offer their perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities facing the Alliance in a near-term conflict scenario. They will further outline concrete, near-term steps which will provide the greatest benefit or mitigate the greatest risks to NATO in the short term. Discussions may cover acquisitions strategies, operational improvements, changes to the command structure, modernization initiatives, public and private sector cooperation, or enhanced training and readiness. This session will include compelling arguments emphasizing the urgency of proactive change within the Alliance.
Why you should attend
Grugahalle Essen - A New Era Begins
The 2025 conference will showcase a significantly expanded exhibition area, featuring larger and more accessible exhibitor booths and private meeting rooms located on the same floor as the main conference sessions. This setup will ensure seamless engagement between exhibitors and attendees during networking breaks, enhancing the overall experience for all involved.
Experience the Excitement of a New Venue: The Grugahalle offers a modern and spacious setting that caters to JAPCC’s expanding audience, all while maintaining the high-quality experience that you have come to expect.
Enhanced Exhibition Experience: Exhibitor booths have been significantly enlarged, allowing for the showcasing of comprehensive solutions and interactive demonstrations that will captivate you.
Unparalleled Networking Opportunities: Interact with other senior leaders and experts as they delve into the future of joint air and space power, offering valuable insights and perspectives.
Don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity to be a part of this event in 2025 – where innovation, collaboration, and excellence converge.
Reserve your seat for this year's conference below
Registration Information
For any questions regarding participation in the conference or any problems with your request, please send a note to .
Conference Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Lieutenant General
Holger Neumann
German Air Force
Chief of the German Air Force
Lieutenant General Holger Neumann has served as the Chief of the German Air Force since May 27, 2025. In this role, he leads Germany’s air forces, ensuring their operational readiness and strategic alignment with national and NATO objectives.
Lieutenant General
Antonio Conserva
Italian Air Force
Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force
Lt Gen Antonio Conserva has held the position of Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force since May 2025, leading 44,000 personnel in Italy and abroad. He oversees the training, equipment and preparation of the national airspace defence system, in coordination with the Chief of Defence Staff.
General
Seán Clancy
Irish Defence Forces
Chair, European Union Military Committee
General Seán Clancy is the first Irish Chief of Staff to chair the European Union Military Committee and the first Airman to serve as Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces.
Dominance Disrupted
Lieutenant General
Piotr Błazeusz
Polish Air Force
Commanding General of EUROCORPS
International appointments include Deputy Military Representative to NATO/EU, Director J-5, Chief of Staff of the General Command, Deputy Chief of Staff at NATO SHAPE, and Vice Chief of Defence at the Polish General Staff. Since 2 April 2024, he has commanded EUROCORPS in Strasbourg.
Prof.
Justin Bronk
RUSI
Senior Research Fellow
Professor Justin Bronk is the Senior Research Fellow for Airpower and Technology in the Military Sciences team at the Royal United Services Institute
for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI), and the Editor of the RUSI Defence Systems online journal.
Colonel
Antanas Matutis
Lithuanian Air Force
Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force
Colonel Matutis has served as Commander of the Lithuanian Air Force since 28 June 2022. His roles included Deputy Squadron Commander, Aviation Base S3 Chief, Helicopter Squadron Commander, Lithuanian Air Force Staff A3 Chief, and Commander of the Aviation Base (2017–2022).
Mr
Robert Strauss
United States Space Command
Chief Digital & Artificial Intelligence Officer
Mr. Robert “Bobby” Strauss leads the implementation of USSPACECOM’s data strategy that enables the command to integrate and employ data and AI/ML technologies to provide strategic, operational, and tactical capabilities in support of the joint force.
Air Marshal
Johnny Stringer
Royal Air Force
Deputy Commander, NATO Allied Air Command
Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Royal Air Force, has been Deputy Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command, headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, since August 2022.
The Tech Horizon: Emerging Technologies and their Tactical Implications
Colonel
John A. Cummings
United States Air Force
Autonomous Collaborative Platforms Division Chief
Colonel Cummings leads a team responsible for developing the requirements, fielding, and force integration plans for Collaborative Combat Aircraft as part of the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems.
Air Vice-Marshal (ret.)
Mike Hart
Oracle
Senior Intelligence Advisor
Air Vice-Marshal (ret.) Mike Hart, CBE, is Senior Intelligence Advisor at Oracle, following more than 30 years’ service as a Royal Air Force intelligence officer.
Mr
Alex Hollings
Sandboxx News
Editor-in-Chief
Alex is the Editor-in-Chief of Sandboxx News, leading editorial coverage on defence, national security and military technology. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he brings firsthand military experience and a decade of journalism expertise to his role, blending operational insight with rigorous reporting.
Prof.
Peter Lee
University of Portsmouth
Professor of Applied Ethics
Prof. Lee’s expertise focuses on the ethical, operational and other human aspects of armed drone operations, AI and autonomous weapon systems, moral injury, and challenges faced by military and police personnel.
Prof.
Mark Voskuijl
Netherlands Defence Academy
Professor of Aviation- and Weapon Systems
In September 2018, Mark Voskuijl was appointed as full professor Aviation- and Weapon systems at the faculty of Military Sciences at the Netherlands Defence Academy. He is a specialist in the field of aircraft performance and is the (co)author of about 50 relevant publications.
Reshaping NATO’s Innovation Cycles
Mr
Johannes Arlt
STARK Systems
Senior Vice President
From 2021 to 2025, Arlt served as a member of the German Bundestag for the Social Democratic Party (SPD). During his parliamentary tenure, he sat on the Defence and Economic Affairs Committee, contributing to national security policy, defence procurement oversight, and economic strategy.
Mr
James Black
RAND Europe
Deputy Director of Defence and Security Research
Mr. Black has directed and contributed to studies for various national and international clients, including NATO, the European Union, the UK, the U.S., Germany, and Australia’s defence ministries. His expertise covers artificial intelligence, autonomous military systems, and space warfare.
Major General
Maik Keller
German Army
Deputy Commander, NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU)
Major General Keller’s operational experience spans through the UN, NATO, and national deployments, and he currently serves as the Deputy Commander of the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Mr
Robert Kerby
Planet Labs
Head of Business Development, Defence & Intelligence EMEA
With a UK military background, he brings operational experience in the ISR and space domains, combined with commercial expertise in adapting military organisations and cultures to incorporate commercial space technologies.
Brigadier General
Henrik C.H. Scholz
German Air Force
Deputy Chief of Staff for Future Plans, Capability Management, and Budget
Brigadier General Scholz currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for Future Plans, Capability Management, and Budget at German Air Force Headquarters in Berlin-Gatow, a position he assumed in October 2024.
‘The Next Ten Years’ Thought Experiment
Brigadier General
Enrique Fernández Ambel
Spanish Air and Space Force
Chief Operations Division
Brigadier General Enrique Fernández Ambel currently serves as Chief of the Operations Division of the Spanish Air and Space Force Air Staff, a position he assumed in June 2024 upon promotion to his current rank.
Major General
Remus Hadrian Bondor
Romanian Army
Romanian Military Representative to NATO and the European Union
Maj Gen Bondor represents Romania’s strategic defence interests within NATO and EU military structures. He provides senior military advice, participates in multinational planning and policy discussions, and ensures alignment between national defence priorities and collective security commitments.
Mr
Michael Callender
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Head Aerospace Capabilities
Mr. Michael Callender is Head of Section, Aerospace Capabilities responsible for policy guidance, capability delivery, and cooperation in the air and space domains with a total systems approach in support of NATO core tasks, missions, and operations.
Major General
Arnoud Stallmann
Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force
Assistant Chief of Staff Capabilities, Allied Command Transformation
Maj Gen Stallmann currently serves as Assistant Chief of Staff Capabilities at NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT), where he leads the development, integration, and delivery of capabilities to meet the Alliance’s future operational requirements.
Major General
Ireneusz Starzyński
Polish Air Force
Commander, Polish Air Operations Centre - Air Component Command
Major General Ireneusz Starzyński is the Commander of the Polish Air Operations Centre – Air Component Command, a position he has held since 2019. He is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing Poland’s air operations and ensuring readiness and interoperability with NATO missions.
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