"With this cooperation, we are building a bridge between scientific excellence and specific industrial needs," said Kurczyk. "Reliable partnerships are particularly important when it comes to dual-use technologies and critical infrastructures. The aim is to quickly translate research into applicable solutions and thus strengthen the competitiveness of the region." The aim of the cooperation is to identify and bring together the possibilities offered by science and the needs of industry in central Germany.

The focus is on dual-use technologies such as drone systems, emergency power solutions and mobile medical technology. In addition, there are areas of critical infrastructure, including communication networks, road, rail and logistics systems, and utilities. There are also plans to establish information and innovation networks from industry, research and politics in the region. "We are specifically contributing our expertise in applied security and defence research to the collaboration" explained Igel. "In cooperation with industry and other players, we can develop technologies that are both security-relevant and usable for civilian purposes – especially when it comes to the protection and resilience of critical infrastructure." Fraunhofer FKIE and MISI want to create joint exchange, analysis and feedback formats for science and industry.

Fraunhofer FKIE: A leader in defence research

With around 650 employees, Fraunhofer FKIE, headquartered in Wachtberg and with additional locations in Bonn, Aachen and Leipzig, is one of the leading institutes for defence research in Germany. Its thematic focus is on the areas of "software-defined defence" and "land-based operations," with a particular emphasis on communication systems, information technology for command and control systems (C2), cyber analysis & defence, human-machine systems and system ergonomics. Another focus is the transformation of industry towards defence and security. "Fraunhofer FKIE is a defence institute through and through," said Igel at the signing ceremony. "More than 60 years of national and international research, technology and innovation alongside the German Armed Forces and in collaboration with the security and defence industry are in our DNA." In this respect, the research work of Fraunhofer FKIE complements the mission of the Central German Institute for Security Industry in Leipzig.

MISI: Platform for market access and networking

Founded in September 2025, MISI sees itself as a market and networking platform for companies, research institutions and associations in the security and defence industry. It brings together supply and demand – companies and research on the one hand, and procurers, operators and authorities on the other – and paves the way into markets and projects. The aim is to strengthen the region's competitiveness, bring innovations into application more quickly and integrate Central Germany more closely into German and European defence processes. "Without industrial strength and without research, there can be no defence capability – and without regional value creation, there can be no acceptance," said General Kurczyk. "Together with the Central German Institute for Security Industry, Fraunhofer FKIE will make an important contribution to the transformation of industry and the economy from its base in Leipzig," explained Igel. "Precisely because the competencies and capabilities of MISI and FKIE complement each other so well, this is a unique opportunity for central and eastern Germany. And we want to take advantage of this opportunity together, starting immediately."

Media contact:

Fraunhofer FKIE:

Prof. Dr. Christoph Igel, christoph.igel@fkie.fraunhofer.de, Tel.: +49 170/7849827, www.fkie.fraunhofer.de

MISI:

Ulf Mehner (spokesperson), ulf.mehner@weichertmehner.com, Tel.: +49 172/8935317, https://misi-ev.de