Joint declaration by BDLI and BDSV

On the occasion of the adoption of the National Security and Defence Industrial Strategy

Dr Hans Christoph Atzpodien, Managing Director of the BDSV Photo: private

The German security and defence industry as well as the aerospace industry welcome the conclusion of the strategy before the end of this year.
Legislature as an important interim step. The next federal government must develop this paper further and implement it in dialogue with industry.
The impetus for arms exports and the involvement of German companies in the operation of Bundeswehr capabilities procured abroad must be
be taken up and realised. The Bundesverband der Deutschen Sicherheits- und Verteidigungsindustrie e.V. (BDSV) and the Bundesverband der Deutschen Luft- und Raumfahrtindustrie e.V. (BDLI) see the "National Security and Defence Industry Strategy" adopted today as a constructive approach by the current Federal Government to strengthen our industry in challenging times. The fact that the strategy was adopted in this legislative period is an important interim step. At first glance, we recognise that some of our proposals are reflected in the strategy.

The constructive dialogue between the ministries and industry must now be continued intensively. The framework of the strategic industrial dialogue between industry and the Federal Ministry of Defence (and other ministries) can be used for this purpose, both now and by the next federal government.
Dr Hans Christoph Atzpodien, Managing Director of the BDSV: "In view of the enormous challenges involved in closing the capability gaps of the Bundeswehr and continuing to make a contribution to supporting Ukraine, what is needed above all is a rapid operationalisation of the fields of action mentioned in the strategy. Our appeal to politicians is therefore not to let the time until a new federal government is formed pass, but to use it to further specify these areas of action in dialogue with industry and - if possible - to operationalise them already. It is to be hoped that we, as industry, will be able to build directly on the results adopted and to be further developed in the coming months with the new federal government and that these can then be further developed in dialogue with us."

Marie-Christine von Hahn, Managing Director of the BDLI Photo: BDLI

Marie-Christine von Hahn, Managing Director of the BDLI: "This strategy is a step in the right direction. We particularly welcome the inclusion of space applications and unmanned systems as key technologies. The realisation that Germany must be able to independently maintain, repair and operate weapons systems procured abroad should now be followed by action. Last but not least, the strategy opens up opportunities to simplify and politically support the strategic export of defence equipment. This is urgently needed to ensure that European joint projects in particular are not artificially penalised in international competition. Our industry is ready to continue the dialogue and make its contribution to Germany's sovereignty."