International partnerships are key for maintaining regional stability.
Senior military leaders from across the globe have arrived in Australia ahead of the Air and Space Power Conference 2026.
Hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force’s Air and Space Power Centre in coordination with Joint Capabilities Group, this conference brings together leaders, defence officials and strategic thinkers from 30 nations to discuss the role of air and space power in supporting national defence.
On Wednesday, 16 March, at Canberra’s National Convention Centre, the conference’s international program began. Air Force senior leaders hosted a number of bilateral meetings and conclaves with international partners. This provided an opportunity for international leaders to exchange ideas, deepen relationships and explore new opportunities for collaboration across the air domain.
As the strategic environment becomes increasingly complex, cooperation between partner nations remains essential.
Service Chiefs from the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force gathered to discuss the importance of cooperation between like-minded nations to overcome shared issues.
The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, reaffirmed Australia’s partnerships make the Air Force stronger.
“We are in a strategic autumn so bringing together our capability and amplifying our capacity with partnered nations, through working so closely together and sharing ideas is vital,” said Air Marshal Chappell.
“By working together, we learn from each other. That allows us to generate and deliver air and space power, contribute to shared challenges but also seize shared opportunities.”
For the Royal Canadian Chief of Air Force, Lieutenant General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet, the importance of strategic partnerships extended beyond geographical distances.
“We all bring something different. We can work together in complementary ways and that really makes us stronger together,” said Lieutenant General Speiser-Blanchet.
“When we look at our shared challenges, it can be reassuring to know our friends and allies are going through many of the same things. So, it is important to celebrate the successes and to celebrate the opportunities of our partnerships because that helps us tackle those challenges together.
“It becomes very clear how much we actually have in common, despite the fact that we may be at opposite ends of the globe.”
By bringing together senior leaders, the conference’s international program reinforced the importance of collaboration in dealing with shared security challenges and the collective ability to deter threats.
The Royal New Zealand Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, acknowledged that these partnerships lead to a combined effect greater than the sum of a single force.
“If you look at each nation from an individual perspective, we’re never going to have enough to respond to everything. It’s one of those challenges, which is permanent,” said Air Vice-Marshal Webb.
“However, if we can bring together the collective efforts of all of our nations, we become stronger as we are grounded in partnership.”
Defence image (L-R) Corporal Stephen Crawford, Warrant Officer of the Air Force, Warrant Officer – Air Force Ralph Clifton, Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM and Lieutenant Christopher Wooding during the Air and Space Power Conference 2026, Canberra.
