LONDON — Air and space military leaders from the United States, United Kingdom, and more than 50 other nations have gathered in London for the Global Air and Space Chiefs' Conference, which is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. The conference brings together senior defense officials to address shared security challenges and strengthen international cooperation in critical operational domains.

Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, the U.S. Air Force chief of staff, and Gen. Chance Saltzman, the U.S. Space Force chief of space operations, are among the scheduled keynote speakers, alongside top U.K. military and government leaders. The agenda centers on three key capability areas: space operations, nuclear deterrence, and integrated air and missile defense.

U.K. military leaders plan to discuss strategies for their F-35 fleet, some of which will be nuclear-capable and contribute to the alliance’s deterrence mission. They also intend to examine the United Kingdom’s role in NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile defense mission during the two-day event. These discussions align with a broader push by the U.K. to modernize its defense posture amid evolving global threats.

The United Kingdom unveiled a new defense investment strategy last month that includes major investments in an autonomous drone wingman program and efforts to bolster military space capabilities. Additionally, a $298 billion defense plan was announced shortly after the defense secretary’s resignation. That plan allocates resources to enhance the UK Space Command’s ability to control space operations and aims to integrate autonomous systems across the army, air, and naval forces.

U.K. Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smith emphasized the urgency of the current strategic landscape, stating, “In 2026, the rate of change in the global strategic environment shows no signs of abating, if anything, the tempo is increasing.” He added, “This is the ultimate team game; we cannot do this alone.” Another statement from U.K. officials underscored the importance of the conference’s focus areas: “These focus areas are critical to the UK and to key partner nations as we develop and deliver domination of the skies and beyond.”

Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach visited Royal Air Force bases Mildenhall and Fairford in the United Kingdom prior to the conference. He highlighted the value of multinational gatherings like this one, saying, “Gatherings like this are important because they give us the opportunity to learn from one another, challenge each other, and strengthen the relationships that bolster our collective security.”

Gen. Chance Saltzman has been deeply engaged in advancing U.S. and allied space operations. He recently signed a statement of intent with Poland that reinforces a shared commitment to collaboration in the space domain. In a keynote address, Saltzman described the role of military leadership in democracies as serving as “the ballast in the ship,” adding, “While it may feel like the ballast slows progress as the ship of state attempts to quickly move towards its goals, the ballast creates stability when the inevitable storms arise.”

He further elaborated on that theme, saying, “We, as military leaders in our democracies, must remember our roles. Think long-term, offer our military experience to decision makers, and do what we can to provide the stability and be a calming presence.” Saltzman also stressed the demonstrated value of alliances, noting that “We are stronger as a team of nations than any one of us is individually. There is far too much evidence over the last 80 years or so to argue otherwise.”

Saltzman has repeatedly affirmed that space is a warfighting domain and that space power is now fully integrated into the joint force. He used a culinary analogy to illustrate the shift: “We really used to be considered icing on the cake. I think we are more the eggs in the cake batter.

We are fully integrated. You can’t extract us any more and still have a joint force that functions the same way.” The Space Force expects an AMTI constellation to be fielded by 2028 as part of its modernization efforts.

During his tenure as chief of space operations—beginning with his confirmation in September 2022—the Space Force’s budget request has grown from $26 billion to $72 billion. Saltzman announced he will retire next month. Ahead of his departure, he affirmed his support for current funding requests, stating, “I stand behind the requirements and the resources that we requested, and now over to Congress to determine what that appropriation looks like.”

The White House has asked Congress for $1.15 trillion through the normal defense-budget process and an additional $350 billion through reconciliation to fund major Space Force programs. However, Republican House leaders have indicated they would support a reconciliation bill of only $60 billion. On Thursday, the same day as the second day of the London conference, Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee for a confirmation hearing.

The Global Air and Space Chiefs' Conference occurs against a backdrop of intensifying strategic competition and rapid technological change in military domains. With over 50 nations participating, the event reflects a coordinated effort among allies to align defense postures on nuclear deterrence, space operations, and missile defense—areas that have grown increasingly interdependent. The U.K.’s recent $298 billion defense plan and investments in autonomous and space capabilities signal a long-term commitment to these priorities, while U.S. budget requests highlight the scale of resources being sought to maintain technological and operational advantages.

The statements by top U.S. and U.K. military leaders underscore a shared doctrine: that no single nation can address current and emerging threats alone. As Gen. Saltzman prepares to retire after overseeing a nearly threefold increase in the Space Force’s budget request, his emphasis on alliance cohesion and institutional stability offers a framework for how democratic militaries intend to navigate an era of accelerating global instability.