With Honor Action joined heads of government, senior military leaders, policymakers, industry executives, and media at the 2026 London Defence Conference (LDC). This annual gathering of allied nations focuses on elevating the importance of defense and security in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Held at the historic Old War Office in Whitehall from April 10-11, LDC convenes allied leadership to confront the defining questions in defense and security. Our participation reflects the strong relationships that With Honor Action has cultivated across government and allied defense communities to advance our shared, bipartisan priorities with the veterans in the For Country Caucus.
This year’s conference centered on a single, urgent theme: warfighting readiness. Senior officials delivered frank assessments, warning that current capabilities may be insufficient for sustained large-scale conflict. They called for accelerated rearmament across the U.K. and NATO, reinforced by major procurement announcements. LDC 2026 marked a clear shift from strategic dialogue to coordinated action, as allied nations respond to a more volatile global environment.
On day two of LDC, With Honor Action sponsored a roundtable with the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), placing American biotechnology policy at the center of an allied defense forum.
Conducted under the Chatham House Rule, the private session brought together senior representatives from allied governments, industry, and research institutions across three continents. Participants explored the growing role of biotechnology as a cornerstone of national security and economic strength.
This discussion builds on a landmark year for American biotechnology. In December 2025, Congress passed a significant package of biotechnology provisions informed by the NSCEB’s Final Report, including 17 With Honor Action-supported measures to strengthen biotechnology across the defense and intelligence communities. Those provisions addressed national security coordination, defense-focused development and manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and expanded allied collaboration.
The conference concluded with remarks from Al Carns, a Member of Parliament, Minister for the Armed Forces, Royal Marines veteran, and a partner within With Honor Action’s network. On the transatlantic alliance, he was unambiguous: the UK-US relationship “is not measured in commentary. It is measured in what we do and what we have done.”
Last October in Washington, Minister Carns joined us for the With Honor Action’s Strength in Democracy Forum and toasted the transatlantic alliance at our Gala, a relationship that reflects the kind of allied engagement LDC exists to deepen.
With Honor Action remains committed to advancing bipartisan veteran leadership and strengthening the alliances that underpin global security.