• The combat air platforms and capabilities we intend to field, and how we’ll employ them

• How we will need to support our national combat air capability, founded on a conflict-ready national arsenal and the full spectrum of enablement, ranging from logistics to information and cyber/electro-magnetic capabilities

• What sort of fighter pilots we will need, and how we will train them: their mindset, capabilities and approach

Air Commodore Chris Layden

Combat Air Force Commander
Royal Air Force

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• In an environment where the adversary can strike from beyond traditional engagement distances, how must our approach to enabling systems change?

• What are the central lessons we can extract from the recent May 2025 engagement regarding the evolution of long-range aerial threats?

• Given current long-range threat profiles, how critical is the role of AEW systems in detection and weapon guidance?

• To what extent did AEW and ISR capabilities redefine the rules of engagement and what improvements are needed for the future?

• What operational and logistical challenges are associated with extending fighter endurance in a high-threat, stand-off environment?

• In scenarios where rapid force projection is essential, how can we ensure that refueling operations themselves remain resilient to enemy detection and countermeasures?

• What new EW and counter-countermeasure technologies are required to protect our network-centric warfare architecture while still enabling stand-off engagements?

• How can we refine our doctrine to maximise the synergy between stand-off detection, passive engagement, and rapid, precision retaliation?

• Priorities for producing next-generation aviators for America and its allies

• How NGAD is influencing training plans for the US Air Force

• Influence of technology on sustaining the combat capability of the US Air Force

Major General Gregory Kreuder

Commander 19th Air Force, Air Education and Training Command (AETC)
19AF/AETC

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• Successes and challenges of the NFTE after reaching full operational capability

• Leveraging existing structures to maximise training capacity

• Collaboration with industry partners to deliver on NFTE goals

Jason Hawker

Principal Officer, NATO Flight Training Europe
NSPA

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• Supporting the next generation of pilots with training designed around the integration of CCAs and autonomy

• US Air Force Leadership priorities to determine the pace of advancing future fighter training and readiness

• How developments in 6th generation fighter programmes are influencing training programmes

Col. (Ret.) David Jake Timm

Future Fighter Training
U.S. Air Force

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• Aviation support to Allies through the NSPA 
• The growth of the NATO Flight Training Europe High Visibility Project  
• Collaborating with Industry to enable innovative and data driven solutions 

Daniele Cucchi

Aviation Support Programme Manager
NSPA

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Jason Hawker

Principal Officer, NATO Flight Training Europe
NSPA

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• What are the key missions that pilots must ace in a peer conflict and given lessons from Ukraine? How must air forces prioritise live and synthetic training for lethal advantage?

• What are the future trends in training for 6th generation aircraft, alongside unmanned systems?

• Changing training needs on the fly: How to build-in flexibility and minimize disruption in the transition from a traditional training cycle? How would existing trainingregimes need to evolve and how quickly can this transition take place when needed?

• What might the teaching of “softer” but necessary skills such physical and mental resilience need to look like and how to measure and assess these skills?

• How are air forces increasing retention of new pilots, and what strategies are they using to recruit the next generation of fighter pilots?

Major General Jeff Smyth

Chief Air & Space Force Development
Royal Canadian Air Force

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Col. (Ret.) David Jake Timm

Future Fighter Training
U.S. Air Force

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Jason Hawker

Principal Officer, NATO Flight Training Europe
NSPA

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• Updates on the ongoing transition from F-16 to F-35A

• Priorities for ensuring pilots and maintainers are fully equipped to operate and sustain 5th generation aircraft

• Considerations of international collaboration and interoperability

Major General Geert De Decker

Chief of Staff Belgian Air Force
Belgian Air Force

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• Ensuring readiness and interoperability within NATO

• Maintaining a cost-effective defence strategy with strategic fleet expansion

• How targeted upgrades are ensuing the Hungarian Defence Force stays ahead of evolving threats

Brigadier General Csaba Ugrik

Flight Director
Hungarian Defence Forces

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• Enhancing combat air capabilities, and addressing gaps with additional F/A-18s

• Technical and logistical challenges of integrating new aircraft with the existing fleet, and steps to ensure operational compatibility

• Collaboration with allies and partners to enhance maintenance efficiency and operational readiness

Major General Ahmad Khusairi bin Ahmad Fadil

RMAF Air Region 2 Commander
Royal Malaysian Air Force

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• Refining the latest innovations and tactical strategies in Naval air operations

• Enforcing combat proficiency standards for air combat training and tactics

• Ensuring alignment of training procedures and programs to mitigate gaps across all platforms

Rear Admiral Richard Burgess

Prospective Commander
NAWDC

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• Prioritising stealth and multirole strike capabilities with the F-35 fleet

• Enhancing carrier air wing operations and integrating with NATO maritime forces

• Future priorities to integrate manned-unmanned teaming, and counter A2/AD threats

Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina

Commander, Naval Aviation Department
Italian Navy

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