Event Details

Former RAF fighter pilot Air Vice Marshal Sean Bell examines the evolution of air power from the Cold War to today, drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine to ask how the UK should respond to emerging security threats.

CWD-RAFM Air Power Lecture: Air Vice Marshal Sean Bell (Retd) FRAeS FIoD CDir BSc, 'Back to the Future'

Tuesday 24 February 2026, 5:00pm to 6:30pm

Furness Lecture Theatre 1

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Historically, Air & Maritime Power have been vital defence capabilities for an island nation like the UK. Control of the Air is often taken for granted, yet it was only 80 years ago when the Battle of Britain was fought in the skies over the UK which led to Hitler delaying - and ultimately canceling - Op SEALION - the invasion of our island. Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine has also demonstrated the vulnerability of a nation unable to maintain Control of its own Airspace, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to air and land attacks, and getting drawn into a brutal and costly war of attrition.

As a former veteran of the Cold War, this presentation will seek to analyse the evolution of Air Power from then to now and also look to draw lessons from history to help us make informed choices about the future threats and response options. With Russia in the ascendancy and emboldened by progress in Ukraine, NATO looking increasingly ill-equipped to deal with contemporary threat challenges, and the commitment of the USA to its global security responsibilities being questioned, how should the UK respond? Although the number 1 priority of any government is the protection of its people, how should the nation now respond given the changing nature of the international security environment and the relative paucity of funds?

Drawing on three decades of operational experience this is a unique opportunity to review the security landscape and offer some options for the future.

Sean Bell enjoyed a first career in the RAF where he flew Harrier fighter jets from land and sea and served on numerous staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence and overseas. Sean left the RAF in late 2012 in the rank of Air Vice-Marshal.

Since leaving the RAF Sean has a portfolio career which includes providing defence consultancy services to national and international clients. Sean is also a Talking Head for the MOD, and since 2022 Sean has been providing military analysis for SKY News (and other media outlets) in their coverage of the Ukraine and Israel war. Sean is also the co-host and founder of RedMatrix media.

Sean is also a Fellow of the IoD and the Royal Aeronautical Society, an Ambassador for RAFA, the Chairman of the Aviation Focus Group and the RAF Dinner Club, and is a founder of Loyal Wingman, a charity helping save the lives of Ukrainian aircrew.