The conference opened with a keynote address by Vadym Slyusar, Chief of R&D Group, Central Research Institute of Armaments and Military Equipment, who delivered a presentation on Lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, setting the tone for a programme dedicated to innovation, operational readiness and the evolving security environment. Throughout the event, participants heard from a distinguished lineup of senior military and industry leaders who shared perspectives on current and future challenges facing air forces worldwide.

In addition to the keynote sessions, delegates attended a series of industry presentations showcasing the latest developments in advanced aerospace technologies, unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, integrated air and missile defence, and next-generation operational capabilities. Particularly well received were the conference panels, which provided a forum for lively and insightful discussions on lessons learned from recent conflicts, capability development priorities, force modernisation and the growing importance of interoperability among allied nations.

This year’s conference welcomed delegations from 42 nations, including the participation of nine Air Force Commanders, underlining the event’s significance as a leading international platform for strategic dialogue and professional exchange. The strong international attendance created valuable opportunities for networking, cooperation and the strengthening of partnerships across the global air power community.

An important part of the programme was the delegates’ visit to the Future Forces Forum on Wednesday, where participants had the opportunity to explore a broad range of defence and security innovations and engage directly with technology providers and subject-matter experts. The visit complemented the conference discussions by providing practical insight into emerging capabilities and solutions relevant to future air operations.

The conference was followed by a dedicated Industry Day, offering delegates additional opportunities to meet with industry partners, visit production sites and discuss specific technological developments in greater detail. The programme enabled participants to deepen their understanding of available capabilities while fostering closer cooperation between military users and the defence industry.

FAFC 2026 once again confirmed its position as one of the premier international forums for discussing the future of air and space power, successfully bringing together military leaders, industry representatives and experts to address the challenges and opportunities that will shape the operational environment of tomorrow.