Security and defence industry

The market environment of the German security and defence industry is no longer limited to a mere defence technology context. Today, a broader and holistic understanding of security also calls for entrepreneurial activities to be adapted.

This includes, amongst others, dual-use technologies as well as the interaction with various security agencies, each of which requires different technological skills. The client base is increasingly more complex, and technological solutions must meet the necessary requirements. Consequently issues such as reconnaissance, border surveillance and secure communication may well be understood in purely a military context, but can also be seen in relation to internal security or with a view to police forces on joint missions with armed forces abroad.

The German security and defence industry has a strategic dimension for our country. It holds a top position internationally in technology and is also a significant economic factor grossing around 16 billion Euros a year, exporting about 70% of its products and employing more than 80,000 mostly highly qualified staff.

Additionally, it is a key instrument for an active foreign and security policy and must be supported by industrial-policy makers. German know-how and the creation of value and jobs need to be protected and promoted.
Technologies
The Bundeswehr has a broad range of responsibilities within the context of national defence, NATO, Europe’s Common Security and Defence Policy and international operations. Modern equipment needs to be tailored to the task at hand and is vital for the armed forces so they can fulfil their commitments. An efficient and reliable national security and defence industry with exceptional technological expertise and appropriate capacities is therefore an essential partner for all security policy matters.

These new and changing tasks stretch the financial resources of the Bundeswehr and pose a challenge to the efficient use of such resources. The share of exports in overall production within the German security and defence industry is and will remain important for maintaining and developing technological skills. In this context, it is necessary to take a national perspective. In Germany, identifying key technologies is of the utmost importance from an industrial and security policy point of view. To keep fulfilling its role as an equal security policy partner in the future, Germany must continue to have a modern, competitive and efficient defence technology industry. Our voice will only continue to be heard if we can maintain and/or further develop technologies, skills and capacities at a high level of quality and quantity. We need to keep being guided by the sustainable skills that the modern and forward-looking armed forces require. We can then remain in a position to keep shaping decision-making processes and co-operate with our partners in Europe and across the Atlantic.

Today there is a broad range of technologies and skills in Germany. This serves as a basis for Germany’s activities in terms of creating an efficient and competitive European defence and technology base as well as a balanced European defence market with a level playing field for all stakeholders. This is the only way for the German security and defence industry to maintain its technological and economic top position. This position rightly reflects the industry’s performance and competitiveness on both the European and global markets.