Security and defence 2025

Join senior policymakers, business leaders and international security experts at Chatham House for a day of thought-provoking discussions exploring the tools needed to equip military forces with for an increasingly insecure future.

Conference
6 March 2025 — 8:00AM TO 6:00PM
Chatham House and Online
Female army solider saluting against sunset sky

Future-proofing a fracturing world

The security and defence landscape is characterised by rapid change and evolving threats to global stability. The uncertainties of a complex geopolitical environment, with war on multiple fronts, are exacerbated by the array of threats presented across the domains of conflict - from land, sea and air through to space and technology. From drone swarm attacks in the Donbas, utilising the latest battlefield technology to gain advantages on the land and in the air, through to the battle for primacy in the space domain above the strategically important, yet inhospitable Arctic shipping lanes, the domains of conflict are becoming increasingly intertwined. A holistic strategy fit to tackle the threats of a fracturing world will rely on effective collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The 2025 Security and Defence conference brings together global policymakers, senior military and armed forces figures, business leaders and civil society experts. An insightful day of keynotes, high-level panel dialogues, and ‘under-the-Rule’ spotlights will explore how advanced technology is shaping the battlefield, examine how security architectures can be redesigned to support the end goal of peace, and address the future of arms control measures. Discussions will also unpack how forward-thinking defence actors might unlock fresh opportunities alongside current challenges. Forging stronger ties with partners to future-proof institutions and develop the architecture that will sustain security and defence ecosystems into the future will be crucial to ensuring that fighting forces are equipped, not just for the conflicts of today, but the security challenges of tomorrow.

Why attend?

  • Learn more about the areas that leaders across the security and defence ecosystem are prioritizing and how they aim to counter emerging threats in order to foster resilience in this environment.
  • Gain an understanding of the array of threats that are present, both across the domains of conflict and also the different regions of the world.
  • In-person networking opportunities with senior leaders from across the government, international militaries and global business, as well as access to exclusive ‘under-the-Rule’ sessions.

The institute occupies a position of respect and trust, and is committed to fostering inclusive dialogue at all events. Event attendees are expected to uphold this by adhering to our code of conduct.

Who attends?

Agenda

Thursday 6 March

Assessing the security landscape of 2025

With the war entering its fourth year, what conditions does Ukraine need to be met for it to begin thinking how the war might end? What concrete support does it need from its allies to do this? How has the conflict in Gaza changed geopolitics in the Middle East and after their key role in ceasefire negotiations, what role can be expected from middle powers such as Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia going forward in the region? What changes will policymakers see in China’s strategy across the Asia-Pacific theatre over the coming years, and how likely is conflict on this front?


What role can industrial policies play to ensure that supply chains are prepared and resilient in the face of conflict? What are the new areas conflicts, both geographically and thematically, that the international community needs to prepare for?

Speakers
Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director, Indo-Pacific Security Program, Center for New American Security
LeAnne Noelani Howard, Senior Principal Policy and Security Strategist, Center for Strategic Competition, Mitre
Stephen Lillie, Director for Defence and International Security at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
HE Gen (Retired) Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ukraine
Chair: Joyce Hakmeh, Deputy Director, International Security Programme, Chatham House

0900–1015

Spotlight session: The battle for pole position – Arctic security in 2025

Exclusive to in person participants and held under the Chatham House Rule.

How do the recent additions of Finland and Sweden to NATO change the dynamics of security relations in the Arctic and what is Russia’s response to this? What is China looking to get out of its increased presence in the High North and why is it so essential to the country’s space programme? How will the Trump presidency change the equation in the Arctic? Are we to assume at least four years of greater instability and the potential for infighting among NATO allies?


Why are so many ‘non-Arctic powers’ developing their own, robust strategic priorities for the region and will this naturally lead to more competition in the High North? How can policymakers adequately plan for the ways in which climate change will affect the security dynamics of the region?

Speakers
Elisabeth Braw, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council
Torsten Kjølby Nielsen, Chief Counsellor for Arctic Affairs, Department for the Arctic and North America, Kingdom of Denmark
Chair: Duncan Depledge, Senior Lecturer in Geopolitics and Security, Loughborough University

1015–1045

Networking break

1045–1115

Redesigning security in Europe

In an increasingly nationalist environment, is a joint security architecture the best way for European nations to guarantee their safety? What are the likelihoods of success in this area? Alongside NATO, how can smaller, regional alliances such as the Joint Expeditionary Force, be better used in creating a holistic strategy for the continent? As pro-Russian forces grow in influence on the continent in places like Hungary, Slovakia and in far-right parties in other parts of the continent, how should countries and institutions respond? Can these strategies better mitigate the continued risks of Chinese espionage too?


How can European states overcome the challenges associated with joint defence procurement and capability design, to develop a successful continental industrial base? What are Europe’s preparedness and resilience levels? How should civil-military and public-private partnerships be designed to move European nations closer toward ‘total defence’ strategies?

Speakers
Sophia Besch, Senior Fellow in the Europe Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (joining virtually)
Baiba Braže, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Republic of Latvia
Deborah Haynes, Defence Editor, Sky News
Chair: Armida van Rij, Senior Research Fellow, Europe Programme, Chatham House

1115–1215

Keynote Session | The plans to secure Britain's future

Which areas has the Government’s Defence Review identified as priorities for investment over the next five years and how will these support the country’s broader security architecture? What should the priorities be for capability investments, and do these align with tight fiscal guidelines? What are the prospects for closer collaboration with the EU on defence industrial policies?


What are the UK government’s priorities for alliances such as NATO, AUKUS and the Five Eyes?

Speakers
Lord George Robertson KT, GCMG, HonFRSE, PC, Former Secretary General, NATO; External Reviewer, Strategic Defence Review

1215–1300

Networking lunch

1300–1400

Fit for the future? Technology's intersection with security and defence

Which emerging and disruptive technologies are impacting military operations and defence strategies the most? How has the proliferation of military technology, and crucially the lowering of costs associated with these technologies, shaped modern fighting forces? What lessons can be learned about the integration of cyber capabilities into the full spectrum of military operations?


How can leaders ensure that military AI enhances decision-making capabilities without reducing ethical oversight and how can stakeholders work better to define the ethical limits of this technology? In what ways can government and industry work together to incubate the technologies that will provide the cutting-edge in future wars?

Speakers
James Appathurai, Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Innovation, Hybrid and Cyber, NATO
Richard Horne, CEO, NCSC
Aaron Libbey, Chief Growth Officer, Altana
Joanna van der Merwe, Lead Trend Analyst & AI Specialist with the Land Warfare Centre of the Dutch Army
Hanna Shelest, Security Studies Programme Director, UA
Chair: Katja Bego, Senior Research Fellow, International Security Programme, Chatham House

1400–1500

Networking break

1500–1530

The future of arms control – still a viable option?

How can states reduce risks, build confidence and advance arms control in a heated international environment with several sources of tension? Can effective arms control help mitigate the risks of more powerful delivery systems that have been created by advanced technologies? How likely is the risk of nuclear escalation facilitated by growing alliances between Russia, China, Iran and North Korea?


In what ways has geopolitical polarization affected various states’ desires for nuclear weapons? Is there a risk of a proliferation crisis? How have international institutions, like the UN, NATO and others been affected by these geopolitical trends?

Speakers
Kate Fearon, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre and Deputy Head of the OSCE Secretariat
Christopher King, Director of Weapons of Mass Destruction Branch, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (joining virtually)
Abdel-Fatau Musah, Ambassador & Commissioner, Peace and Security, ECOWAS
Manpreet Sethi, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power Studies
Chair: Marion Messmer, Senior Research Fellow, International Security Programme, Chatham House

1530–1630

Comfort break

1630–1645

Spotlight session: The growing role of Middle Powers in a fractured world

Exclusive to in person participants and held under the Chatham House Rule.

How have conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza and elsewhere allowed countries like India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Poland play a greater role in global defence? Is the rise of Middle Powers more of a threat to the ‘Great Power’ of the West, the USA, or the powers of the East, China and Russia? Why is it important to refrain from viewing the role of middle powers as a 21st century equivalent to the Non-Aligned Movement? Does the growing role of Middle Power states mean that the security aims of the ‘Global South’ may garner greater support?


Will the rise of the Middle Powers lead to a proliferation in the security aims of countries and regions, further fracturing the global order?

Speakers
Sir John Sawers GCMG FRUSI, Former Chief of MI6

1645–1715

Concluding remarks

To wrap up the 2025 Security and Defence Conference, experts from across Chatham House will remark on the key takeaways from the day and conclude with how they see the security and defence ecosystem changing and adapting in the year ahead.

1715–1730

Networking reception

1730–1830

End of conference

1830
Chatham House exterior.

The venue

Chatham House is a trusted forum for debate and independent analysis. Our conferences provide access to thought leadership, market insight and influential ideas by bringing together policymakers, world leaders, senior business executives and sector specialists.

Join us at our world-famous Grade II listed home in beautiful St James Square, London.

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