Defense Minister tours cutting-edge research facility in Erding
The Innovation Center Bundeswehr (InnoZBw), an initiative by the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), is set to revolutionise the military's approach to innovation and technology. Expected to emerge from the Innovationslab (InnoLab) System Soldier later this year, the InnoZBw aims to make cutting-edge technologies quickly usable for the troops, thereby enhancing their operational effectiveness and adaptability in a rapidly changing security environment.
The InnoZBw will serve as a centralised innovation hub, consolidating efforts from different branches and units of the Bundeswehr, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration. Boris Pistorius, the Federal Minister of Defense, emphasised the importance of being 'ahead of the curve' in terms of modern technologies on the battlefield during his visit to the Innovationslab (InnoLab) System Soldier in Erding.
The center will support the generation, testing, and rapid prototyping of new concepts, enabling faster integration of promising technologies. It will also serve as a connection point between the Bundeswehr, research institutions, startups, and industry partners to leverage cutting-edge developments.
The InnoZBw's role extends beyond just technology development. It is also tasked with promoting an innovation-friendly culture within the Bundeswehr, encouraging creativity, agility, and openness to new approaches. This cultural shift is expected to attract innovative minds both from within and outside the military, providing an environment conducive to forward-thinking projects.
The InnoZBw's contribution to the Bundeswehr’s innovation capability is multi-faceted. It will accelerate digitalisation and modernisation, enhance responsiveness, promote cost-effective innovation, attract and retain talent, and create synergy by breaking down silos and encouraging inter-service and civilian cooperation.
Research groups at the Innovationslab (InnoLab) System Soldier are working on various innovative topics, including unmanned systems, the digitisation of clothing, the use of AI, and the development of smart systems. These projects are aligned with the InnoZBw's mission to make innovative technologies quickly usable for the troops, thereby contributing to the new and innovative capabilities of the troops and the strengthening of defense.
In summary, the Innovation Center Bundeswehr (InnoZBw) is a strategic move to strengthen the Bundeswehr’s ability to innovate continuously, ensuring it remains capable and competitive in future operational scenarios. The establishment of the InnoZBw within the procurement office, as announced by Defense Minister Pistorius, signifies a significant step forward in the Bundeswehr’s quest for technological superiority and operational readiness.
The InnoZBw will foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, integrating efforts from various branches and units of the Bundeswehr, with a focus on artificial-intelligence (AI) and technology. It will serve as a connection point between the Bundeswehr, research institutions, startups, and industry partners to leverage AI and cutting-edge technologies, aiming to make them quickly usable for the troops.
