London & Fairford, 16–20 July 2025
In a demonstration of its enduring commitment to innovation, multinational cooperation, and operational excellence, a high-level delegation from the European Air Transport Command (EATC) conducted a strategic visit to the United Kingdom from 16 to 20 July 2025. Led by Major General Franck Mollard, Commander EATC, and accompanied by Dr Alexandre Verlaine, Senior National Representative for Luxembourg and Head of Public Affairs, the delegation took part in the prestigious Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference (GASCC) in London, followed by an operationally focused presence at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford.
1. From London to Savoy Place
The visit commenced in London with participation in the Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference 2025, hosted by the Royal Air Force at the historic IET Savoy Place. Over the course of two intensive days, Major General Mollard and Dr Verlaine joined over 50 air and space chiefs and approximately 550 international senior leaders from the military, industry, and academia.
Discussions focused on the evolving character of air and space power, shaped by rapid developments in artificial intelligence, sixth-generation fighter technologies, and the imperative of cross-domain integration. Notable themes included space domain awareness as a prerequisite for operational success, urgent lessons from ongoing conflicts such as Ukraine, and the United Kingdom’s strategic defence realignment.
The conference served not only as a high-level forum for strategic exchange but also as a strong signal of allied cohesion in facing an increasingly complex global security environment.
2. Strategic Engagements at GASCC and RIAT 2025
Both the Global Air & Space Chiefs’ Conference in London and the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford provided unique platforms for military diplomacy and strategic coordination. The EATC delegation seized the opportunity to engage with a range of senior air force leaders from across Europe, reinforcing EATC’s role as a central actor in the multinational air mobility domain.
Among the key interlocutors were:
- General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of the French Air and Space Force
- Air Marshal Johnny Stringer, Deputy Commander of NATO’s Allied Air Command
- Major General Juha-Pekka Keränen, Commander of the Finnish Air Force
These high-level engagements—conducted across both venues—highlighted the shared ambition among European air chiefs to deepen interoperability, pursue innovation, and reinforce collective readiness in the face of increasingly dynamic operational challenges.
In parallel, the delegation also held targeted discussions with senior representatives from General Atomics, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Lockheed Martin, and Metrea. These industry engagements focused on technological convergence, digital sustainment, and the integration of emerging capabilities—demonstrating EATC’s continued effort to align operational needs with industrial innovation.
3. Airpower in Action
Beyond the dialogue, RIAT 2025 offered the EATC delegation a vivid demonstration of allied airpower in action. Centred on the theme “Eyes in the Skies,” the airshow highlighted the latest developments in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) across NATO and partner nations.
Key platforms included:
- Boeing E-3 Sentry and Wedgetail AEW.1: Demonstrating airborne early warning and command-and-control integration
- Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady and RC-135V Rivet Joint: Representing high-altitude reconnaissance and signals intelligence
- Saab Gripen E, Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet, and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II: Illustrating cutting-edge multirole fighter capabilities and air superiority
- Airbus A400M and A330 MRTT: Showcasing tactical airlift and strategic air-to-air refuelling capabilities
Notably, the solo display of the Italian Air Force’s C-27J Spartan—one of the medium-sized tactical airlifters operated under EATC’s tasking authority—offered a compelling demonstration of agility, mission flexibility, and European operational cooperation.
For EATC, the airshow reinforced the strategic value of ISR-enabled mobility and the importance of interoperability with combat and surveillance platforms. This synergy remains critical to sustaining Europe’s operational edge and mission assurance in today’s complex security environment.
4. Presence, Purpose, and Partnerships
This strategic visit to the United Kingdom confirmed once more the European Air Transport Command’s indispensable role at the heart of multinational air mobility. Whether in the conference halls of London or on the tarmac at Fairford, the EATC delegation’s presence underscored a shared conviction: that future airpower relies not only on platforms and technology, but on trust, dialogue, and enduring partnerships.
As EATC evolves to meet tomorrow’s operational demands, the relationships deepened and insights gathered during this visit will serve as valuable anchors for continued collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence across its seven Member Nations and beyond.