Over 1500 participants from around the world, with the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto, in attendance. A Statement of Understanding was signed between the US Space Force and the Air Force on cooperation in the field of space security.

Press Kit  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1y33nraShmnELIH7SUrwkLz529-sGXZPc?usp=drive_link

Rome, 8 May. The first of the two working days of the“AeroSpace Power Conference (#ASPC2025), an event organised by the Air Force in scientific collaboration with the Institute of International Affairs (IAI) – one of the most important of the year in the sector internationally – which in this second edition, after the first in 2023, focuses on the theme “Fighting and Winning in the Sky Beyond the Next Decade – Fight and win in the sky beyond the next decade”.

At the start of the day, the interventions of Secretary of State for Defence, Guido Crosetto, from the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano, and of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Luca Goretti.

“We are living through the most difficult moment of the last 70 years. The world has changed – and continues to change – towards a scenario where strength risks counting more than democratic values, rights, and social well-being. This demands a new approach, including for the Armed Forces.” So the Minister Crosetto. “The Italian Air Force continued Always looking to the future, it now has the responsibility to lead the way. We must face growing complexity, drawing on the ability to gather, merge, and disseminate information. We must do this together, with our Allies and Partners, sharing data and building connections, to prevent conflicts. Because this is precisely our goal: to stop wars from breaking out and to ensure security and economic growth for our countries.”

It Chief of the Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano highlighted the importance of today's conference, which provided a valuable opportunity to analyse the role played by aerospace capabilities in joint and multi-domain operational contexts. It offered the defence sector, civilians, academia and industrial players the chance to discuss and share ideas, experiences and perspectives concerning one of the most significant challenges of our time: the evolution of aerospace power within the context of future military operations.

“In an era of profound transformation within the aerospace and space sectors, technological innovation is accelerating at an unprecedented rate., declared the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General S.A. Luca Goretti. The role of space in future conflicts cannot be underestimated. The aerospace dimension is now a fully operational domain, crucial for full situational awareness on the ground, for global communications, and also in terms of deterrence. Regarding the centrality of personnel and technological progress, he then stressed how “operational effectiveness will depend not only on traditional kinetic capabilities, but also on the agility to integrate and apply emerging technologies across platforms and services. In these complex times, having our staff master knowledge and technological development is key to success. […] The human element remains irreplaceable.” Regarding the importance of the GCAP programme, Gen. Goretti finally emphasised how “The Air Force firmly believes that the development of sixth-generation aircraft is the most valid response to the transformation towards the future.”

The first Keynote speaker, General Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations for the United States Space Force, opened the distinguished speaker sequence by outlining his vision for the space domain and aerospace power.

The first panel, entitled “Strategy and Policy,” followed, during which the strategic dimensions of aerospace power were analysed in light of the current international security context and possible future scenarios.

In the early afternoon, the second keynote speaker, Dr Lorenzo Bertelli, Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at the Prada Group, will share the company's experience and its journey through fashion, sports competitions, and the aerospace world.

The discussion of the second panel, on “Competition and Technological Challenges,” follows. This panel is dedicated to technological competition and its related challenges, with particular reference to industrial prospects.

The first day's work concluded with a contribution from the third keynote speaker, Mr. Masami OKA (JPN), Chief Executive of the GCAP International Government Organisation – GIGO, who outlined the programme that sees Italy as part of a trilateral initiative with the United Kingdom and Japan for the development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft.

On the occasion of the Aerospace Power Conference, a series of bilateral meetings were also held, including one that saw the Chief of Space Operations of the United States Space Force (USSF), General B. Chance Saltzman, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General S.A. Luca Goretti, sign a Statement of Understanding I will re-intensify our mutual collaboration in the crucial sector of space security. The signing reinforces our joint commitment to protecting and defending the space domain, in shared recognition of the importance of space for deterrence and defence.

In light of the ongoing changes in the space security landscape and the need to strengthen services, missions, and activities, the Statement of Understanding intends to strengthen interoperability between the U.S. Space Force and the Air Force.

The ASPC2025 is one of the most important aviation events of the year, a now traditional fixture and a unique opportunity to bring together leading professionals from the sector, from public and institutional to private, industry and SME representatives, experts from academia and think tanks, as well as prominent figures from the international scene, with the aim of offering an authoritative perspective on the concept of aerospace power as a decisive military tool in light of the rapid change in the international security context and the constant technological evolution of the aerospace dimension.

Click here to access the event portal for detailed information and the two-day programme: https://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/aerospace-power-conference/