The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee marks NATO’s 70th Anniversary at Royal International Air Tattoo
The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach attended the annual Air and Space Power Conference in London (18 July)
Air & Space Power Conference 2019 at the Institution of Engineering and Technology, London. The 2019 Chief of the Air Staff’s Air and Space Power Conference took place on 17-18 July and addresses the key strategic challenges facing the Royal Air Force and its international partners as they progress towards the next generation of air and space power. It was attended by senior UK Government Ministers, international air and space power chiefs, business leaders and professionals from across the spectrum of air and space industry and innovation. The theme of the 2019 Air and Space Power Conference was ‘Multi-Domain Operations for the Next Generation Air Force’. As such, the Conference revealed emerging technologies and opportunities for innovation in the air, space, cyber and artificial intelligence spheres and provided an unrivalled opportunity to examine the potential – technologically, structurally and doctrinally – for multi-domain operations to address the complex challenges posed by competitor states, above and below the threshold of war.
The Air and Space Power Conference in London is an annual global forum which draws international air chiefs and military commanders from NATO and Partner countries. This year’s gathering is the largest ever with more than 550 high-ranking delegates attending to discuss “Multi-Domain Operations for the Next Generation Air Force”.
The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart was invited to provide a keynote address on the “Collective Approaches to Multi-Domain Operations”. Addressing the audience, the Chairman highlighted that “over the last 70 years, NATO has had to continuously adapt to challenges and threats emanating from a growing number of domains. When NATO was founded cyber was a concept, space was a dream but today these are realities that NATO must face and defend”.
Since 2014, NATO has implemented the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence adapting to the most unpredictable security environment in a generation. NATO is responding – including to Russia’s aggressive actions, cyber and hybrid threats, instability across the Middle East and North Africa, and a continued terrorist threat. “NATO remains the most successful military Alliance in the world not only because of its ability to adapt, but our ability to address our differences together in good faith, is our greatest strength and is something that we must cherish and protect”, emphasized Air Chief Marshal Peach.
The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee then attended the Royal International Air Tattoo, the world’s largest military air show. Since it began in 1971, the Royal International Air Tattoo has demonstrated to millions the constant evolution of air power. This year’s event showcased aircraft from 30 air arms from over 21 different nations. To celebrate NATO’s 70th anniversary a number of Allied and NATO aircraft took part in a commemorative fly-past.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach thanked the RAF Charitable Trust for their support in helping to mark NATO’s 70th anniversary: “Every year since its inception 48 years ago, the Royal International Air Tattoo has supported the values of the NATO Alliance, showcasing the best of what Nations have to offer in the Air Power domain. For the last 70 years, NATO has been the shield protecting our Nations. We have delivered peace and security for almost one billion people and we will continue to do so”.
