Lessons from Today’s Battlefields to Shape Tomorrow’s Alliance
Recent conflicts are driving a critical shift in how we look at modern warfare. The RUS/UKR conflict has shown how autonomous systems, information operations, EW, contested logistics, evolved air defence, and resilience have defined this conflict. We are seeing modern forces redefine defence strategies. By adopting innovative ways to augment capacity to manoeuvre through a degraded operating environment and to rapidly adapt, conventional command and control structures have been overhauled as decision-making authority has devolved to the unit level. UAS have enabled persistent ISR, fundamentally shaping rapid targeting and precision effects when paired with traditional weaponry.
Human potential has also been maximised at the interface with modern technologies, and reserve and volunteer forces have been mobilised to great effect – especially in the cyber and digital arenas.
Delivered in official partnership with the Romanian Defence Staff, attended by the Chief of Defence Staff, the Modern Warfare Conference will government decision makers, policymakers, NATO commanders, senior military leaders, and industry partners to answer the overarching question: How durable is the alliance against the current threat context?
The conference will address this question through the lens of technology, exploring solutions related to the modern battlefield. You will benefit from actionable insights for adapting force structures, doctrines, and capabilities to meet the challenges of future warfare. Join discussions on multi-domain operations and optimising convergence; drone warfare, force manoeuvre, and accelerated procurement timelines. Explore how technology can act as a critical enabler and how procurement reform can accelerate capacity building for future warfare.
Explore how forces are manoeuvring, decentralising command, and rapidly adapting to degraded operating environments.
Technology and Human Convergence
Understand how drones, digital tools, and emerging technologies are paired with human expertise and reserve forces to maximise operational effectiveness.
Alliance Preparedness and Capacity
Examine recruitment, retention, industrial convergence, legal frameworks, and international support that sustain NATO and allied capabilities.
Investment and Innovation in Defence
Analyse how NATO projects are laying the groundwork for capabilities, driving procurement, enabling innovation, and ensuring readiness before it becomes urgent.
Benefits of Attending
Unlock Strategic Defence Spending Across NATO
Learn how largest beneficiaries of the SAFE fund – such as Poland and Romania - are delegating their funding to better integrate your nation-specific strategies with the wider NATO alliance.
Achieve Digitalisation for the Modern Warfighter
Hear first-hand, real-world case studies on how innovation is speeding up capacity building to meet frontline demands to reach digital milestones.
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Measure Alliance Preparedness Beyond the Battlefield
Assess how NATO and allied nations are addressing rapid adoption, industrial capacity, legal frameworks and international support to sustain operational effectiveness. ...
See How Investment Becomes Capability
Engage with the funding mechanisms, political drivers and procurement pathways shaping defence investment and how innovation can be enabled before it becomes operationally urgent. ..
Learn More about the summit
Wondering What's In Store?
The 2026 conference will bring NATO and allied leaders together to explore the next generation of conflict. Join us to explore key topics, including:
Eastern Flank resilience: workforce development, operations, and personnel
Digital transformation and domain integration
Concepts and investment strategies for future readiness
Industrial convergence
Multi-layered air defence
Cyber and communications
Enabling rapid capacity building through innovation adoption and leadership
Streamlining procurement adoption and agile acquisition
Robotics and autonomous systems
Multi-domain transformation
Strategic alliance, electronic warfare and information operations
Position your organisation at the heart of NATO and allied decision-making at Modern Warfare Conference 2026. Partnership provides direct access to senior military leaders and defence innovators, enabling you to showcase solutions, influence operational priorities, and demonstrate thought leadership.
Our audience are looking for the following products and solutions:
Autonomous systems and platforms
Counter-UAS systems and technology
Layered air defence
Cloud-based situational awareness software
Data and sensor fusion
AI
Digital networks and C2
Electronic warfare
ISR
Cyber security
Platform capabilities
Connect with the people shaping multi-domain operations, technological adoption, and alliance readiness, and ensure your organisation is part of the conversation driving the future of modern warfare.
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