Technologies

The commitment of Germany’s military to defending the nation, working effectively within NATO, to Europe’s security and defence policy as a whole and in international deployments demonstrates how important it is for the armed forces to be equipped with modern resources, resources that enable them to fulfil the task they are charged with. Being able to count on a reliable, capable national security and defence industry, one possessing advanced technological expertise, is therefore an essential asset when it comes to matters of security policy.

The new responsibilities assigned to Germany’s military forces place exacting demands in terms of its financial resources and how they can be most efficiently used. In the years to come, the proportion of production within the German security and defence industries destined for export will continue to be key to the retention and development of acquired expertise in technology. Given this, it is of particular importance to take a clear view, one that is also guided by the concept of nation. The identification of key technologies is therefore of immense industrial and security-related interest for Germany as a country. To continue to fulfil its role as an equal partner when it comes to security policy, it is essential that Germany continues to maintain a competitive, efficient defence industry. Only by developing technologies, capabilities and capacities at a high level, in terms of both quality and quantity and with a view to securing and safeguarding the ability of the armed forces to act effectively now and in the future, will we succeed in maintaining our ability for dialogue, collaboration and cooperation in a European and transatlantic context.

The present scope of German technology and capabilities forms the basis for the country’s activities in respect of the creation of an efficient, competitive European defence and technology base, as well as a balanced European defence market within which all nations operate within the same parameters. Only if this remains the case will the German security and defence industries be able to succeed in maintaining their technological and commercial leadership, both within Europe and beyond.