“The Conference on the State of the R&T Future shines a light on the distant future. It does not focus on what will happen tomorrow – or even the day after tomorrow – but on what we need to address additionally,” said Maik Kammermann, Senior Ministerial Advisor and Head of the “National Research and Technology” Division at the BMVg (IC II 3), during the opening remarks. In his keynote address, Eckart Meyer-Höper, Deputy Director of the “Innovation and Cyber” Division at the BMVg, highlighted the importance of interdepartmental dialogue in this context: “No one doubts the threat anymore. The Conference on the State of the R&T Future demonstrates how important it is, in the spirit of ‘Integrated Security,’ to bring all stakeholders together. The high level of interest in this event reflects the significance of the topic.”

Highly dynamic development and a wide range of new topics

In addition to representatives from the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology, and Utilization of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), the BMVg’s departmental research institutions, the defense industry, the defense-related research institutions of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Fraunhofer Society, as well as the Federation of German Security and Defense Industries (BDSV), the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), with its Security Research Division, was also represented for the first time, as were once again the Federal Office for Federal Office for Civil Protection (BBK) and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) in Cologne. The topic of AI and its potential applications in both the military and civilian sectors was a key focus of the conference. In addition, the presentations and discussions paid special attention to space as an operational domain, which is currently of high relevance as an operational domain: Here, the situation is characterized by highly dynamic developments and a wide range of new topics – from the lowest orbits to cis-lunar space.

Against the backdrop of today’s accelerating innovation cycles, Meyer-Höper rated the relevance of the Conference on the State of the R&T Future higher than ever before: “Due to the restructuring of the Federal Ministry of Defense, defense research and technology is now positioned closer to the armed forces. The goal is to bring innovations into the Bundeswehr even faster. At the same time, however, we must maintain a broad view of the future. We need an innovation ecosystem that encompasses technology scouting as well as integration with capability development. The Conference on the State of the R&T Future is an essential part of this ecosystem.”

Total Defense as a Joint Endeavor

WZA Co-Head Hans-Martin Pastuszka drew a positive conclusion from the two-day event: “Among the participants, there was a clear awareness of the current situation regarding new technologies and the associated challenges for the Bundeswehr within the framework of total defense. The need for action was clearly addressed, and potential solutions were identified. Exchange and networking are essential prerequisites for this, because total defense is a joint task and can only succeed through close cooperation between government departments, the armed forces, research, and industry.” The Conference on the State of the R&T Future makes an important contribution to this. The date for the next conference has already been set: it will take place on March 16 and 17, 2027.