The Anglo-Italian Cooperation on Air Combat

As Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine continues to challenge the foundations of European security and U.S. engagement in Europe becomes more uncertain, there has been a renewed sense of urgency in Western nations about the cohesion and cooperation needed to address current and future challenges. Collective security through multinational institutions, particularly NATO, remains central to the response to this challenge. At the same time, bilateral relations between key European nations such as Italy and the United Kingdom provide an essential pillar for these institutions and strengthen the multilateral level.

The conference “The Anglo-Italian Cooperation on Air Combat” held on 18 of March in Rome at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Rome, Villa Wolkonsky, will assess the current status and prospects for Anglo-Italian cooperation in air combat. In particular, the conference addressed bilateral cooperation on air combat, from the strategic level to concrete capabilities, and its contribution to the strength of NATO and the European security architecture. In light of the UK's new political leadership and the new U.S. administration, the conference came at an important time for both countries to reflect on their partnership in the broader context of international security.

The conference gathered Italian and British policy and military officials, alongside with experts from think tanks and academia as well as defence industry representatives.