Air Power at the Edge: Securing NATO’s New Frontiers
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 22 to 24 September 2026 at the ‘Grugahalle’ in Essen, Germany. This event offers a forum to explore the theme of ‘Air Power at the Edge: Securing NATO’s New Frontiers’.
Strategic competition is no longer confined to traditional battlefields; it is expanding rapidly into the High North, the Indo-Pacific, the orbital commons, and the human cognitive domain.
The 2026 Conference, Air Power at the Edge: Securing NATO’s New Frontiers, invites an expanded view of the air and space domain—one that recognises the interconnected nature of capability development, operational credibility and international cooperation. The conference challenges the Alliance to look beyond the immediate Eastern Flank and confront these emerging realities. NATO must secure a 360-degree deterrence posture that bridges new geographic, technological, and human frontiers, maintaining a sharp edge on each.
In line with this theme, this year’s discussions will address a broad range of strategic and operational topics shaping the future of air and space power. These include how shifting geopolitical dynamics and emerging areas of competition are reshaping deterrence and defence requirements; how civil and military actors can work more effectively together to address cross-domain challenges; how air and space power can contribute to security and resilience in the grey zone below the threshold of open conflict; and how advances in technology, training and human–machine interaction are redefining the skills, structures and concepts needed for future forces. This conference will help forge the roadmap for that evolution, exploring how we can master these new realities to secure NATO’s new frontiers and maintain the Alliance’s edge.
The 2026 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.
The Joint Air and Space Conference 2026 aims to facilitate active engagement and meaningful dialogue among participants. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with senior military and civilian leaders from NATO and various nations. Through lively discussions, insights sharing, and shaping the future of international security, participants will play a key role in advancing collective knowledge.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Essen!
Find agenda and registration here