Callen‑Lenz reflections on the RUSI Combat Air Power conference

Published
2026-03-16T10:42:58.934+01:00 16 March 2026
Business Callen-Lenz

Callen‑Lenz reflections on the RUSI Combat Air Power conference

Last week, we attended a compelling and thought‑provoking day at the Royal United Services Institute Combat Air Power Conference, with key insights that strongly resonate with Callen-Lenz and our commitment to advancing sovereign capability. 

One of the standout messages from the day came from the Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air Force (RAF), who echoed that uncrewed systems are now an essential part of the air power inventory, a clear signal of how rapidly operational requirements are evolving and how central UAS capability has become to modern defence. 

The discussions throughout the conference reinforced several core truths about the future of air power and the shifting global security landscape: 

  • Air power remains one of the most essential capabilities for protecting people. 
  • When leveraged effectively, it provides powerful deterrence, decision advantage and operational dominance. 
  • The world has radically changed in recent years. 
  • Threats are more dynamic, more integrated and more persistent, requiring a full 360‑degree approach to security. 
  • Integration, interoperability and interconnectivity are now operational necessities. 
  • Allied forces must connect seamlessly across platforms, domains and data pathways to deliver meaningful effect. 
  • Allied air power continues to be fundamental to collective security. 
  • Partnership, information‑sharing and aligned capability development remain critical. 
  • Uncrewed systems have transformed modern combat. 
  • They are reshaping concepts of operation, accelerating decision cycles and enabling persistent sensing at scale. 
  • Strong collaboration across the alliance is essential. 
  • Industry, government and military partners must work shoulder‑to‑shoulder to ensure capability development keeps pace with threat. 

For Callen‑Lenz, these themes underscore the importance of trusted, interoperable, sovereign UAS platforms and the critical role innovative UK companies can play in strengthening Allied air power. 

A huge thank you to Royal United Services Institute for hosting such an insightful conference and for continuing to bring together leading voices across defence and industry. 

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