Guidance: Allied Joint Doctrine for Air and Space Operations (AJP-3.3)

Why It Matters

The revised doctrine standardises air‑space tactics across the Alliance, boosting interoperability and ensuring coordinated responses to emerging security challenges.

Key Takeaways

• AJP‑3.3 updated to Version C, 2026
• Provides joint air‑space planning framework for NATO
• Integrates multi‑service air power with space capabilities
• Guides civilian participants in coalition missions
• Enhances interoperability across allied forces

Pulse Analysis

The 2026 refresh of NATO’s Allied Joint Publication 3.3 arrives at a time when the strategic landscape is increasingly contested in both the air and the increasingly congested space domain. By codifying a joint planning process that blends traditional air power with emerging space capabilities, the doctrine equips Alliance commanders with a unified playbook for multi‑theater operations. This alignment is critical as member nations grapple with rapid technological advances, from hypersonic weapons to satellite‑based ISR, that demand synchronized decision‑making across services and borders.

AJP‑3.3 goes beyond a purely military focus, explicitly addressing the role of civilian actors in coalition missions. The guidance outlines how non‑military agencies can contribute to air‑space deconfliction, data sharing, and logistical support, fostering a whole‑of‑government approach. Its emphasis on multi‑service integration ensures that air forces, naval aviation, and emerging space units operate under a common set of principles, reducing friction during joint exercises and real‑world contingencies. The publication also references related NATO documents, creating a doctrinal ecosystem that streamlines training, doctrine development, and operational execution.

For defence contractors and policy makers, the updated doctrine signals a market shift toward interoperable systems that can function seamlessly across air and space. Procurement strategies will likely prioritise platforms with cross‑domain capabilities, such as satellite‑linked ISR pods and resilient communications suites. Moreover, the doctrine’s civilian‑focused sections open opportunities for commercial satellite operators and civil aviation stakeholders to align with NATO standards. In essence, AJP‑3.3 not only codifies current best practices but also charts a path for future collaborative security efforts, reinforcing the Alliance’s collective edge in an increasingly contested sky and beyond.

Guidance: Allied Joint Doctrine for Air and Space Operations (AJP-3.3)

Published 30 June 2017 · Last updated 17 February 2026

Details

Allied Joint Publication (AJP)-3.3, Allied Joint Doctrine for Air and Space Operations (Edition C Version 1) provides fundamental principles for the effective employment of air and space capabilities to achieve Alliance objectives.

It explains the air operations planning process and provides an overview of how military space operations can support the joint force. AJP‑3.3 covers the use of air power drawn from more than one service and addresses how air capabilities integrate with other operational domains.

Who should read this publication

AJP‑3.3 is intended primarily as guidance for NATO commanders and staffs. The doctrine applies to, and provides a useful framework for, operations conducted by coalition mission participants. It also provides a reference for civilian mission participants involved in Alliance operations.

• Allied Joint Doctrine for the Conduct of Operations (AJP‑3)

• Allied Joint Doctrine (AJP‑01)

• UK Air Power (JDP 0‑30)

• UK Space Power (JDP 0‑40)

Update history

1. 17 February 2026 – Updated with Version C.

2. 30 June 2017 – First published.