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Berlin and Brandenburg: Upswing in the arms industry after the Ukraine war
In Berlin and Brandenburg the arms industry is expanding while social resistance is growing. Analysis and trends.
Berlin and Brandenburg: Upswing in the arms industry after the Ukraine war
In Berlin and Brandenburg, the number of companies producing “dual use” products has doubled in the last few months. There are currently around 100 such companies in the region that develop both civil and military products. This was boosted by the increasing demand as a result of the war in Ukraine and by the changed arms policy following the Bundestag decision to lift the debt brake, which enabled billions of dollars to be invested in the armaments industry. Loud rbb24 An example of this development is the automotive supplier Pierburg, which will begin producing components for artillery ammunition in September. This secures 350 jobs and could further increase the workforce.
Another notable company is Germandrones, founded in 2017 and producing drones for the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense. The company has rented a production hall in the former Tegel Airport and is developing modern UAV technology that is also used for civil purposes such as inspecting critical infrastructure and transporting relief supplies. The modular concept of the 'Songbird' product allows the flexible use of a wide range of cameras and sensors. This technology exemplifies the innovative strength that many Berlin companies show in the field of defense.
Technological developments and challenges
In Berlin, more than 70 companies with around 10,000 employees are actively involved in the production of small satellites. These satellites are used to identify storm damage and monitor troop movements. Other technological developments are also taking place: crypto-encryption, uninterruptible power supply, medical technology, exoskeletons for use in war zones and quantum sensors for detecting weapons caches are just a few examples.
The Bundeswehr has actively promoted the search for startups in the technology sector since 2017. The Cyber Innovation Hub in Berlin promotes collaboration between military and civilian startups. Over 40 projects are being developed there, including an AI-controlled close-combat drone. This is being done in the hope that the new defense spending will lead to a significant boost in investment for companies in the region.
Resistance and social change
Despite the economic recovery, there is also resistance. In Lübben, for example, citizens' initiatives collected 1,600 signatures against arms production. In Berlin there were attacks on companies considered to be defense suppliers, including an arson attack on chip supplier Microresist. At Pierburg, however, the switch to arms production caused little protest, with residents concerned about the nature of production.
Economic developer Stefan Franzke states that a change in consciousness in society has been initiated by the Ukraine war and the USA's NATO policy. Opinion polls show that a majority of Germans are in favor of more investment in external security. The industry is moving in this area of tension, as it increasingly focuses on defense construction in order to benefit from new orders and to ensure national security.