Organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the State Development Corporation LEG Thüringen and the three Thuringian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the forum was held under the guiding theme: “Shaping security together – Reliable procurement, strong partnerships and regionally anchored value chains“.
Goal of the kick-off event: to open up new perspectives in defense and security technology for Thuringian companies from the automotive and mechanical engineering sectors, as well as other sectors. In the wake of the automotive crisis, many companies see opportunities for additional orders and markets in this.
Prof. Michael Eßig from the Bundeswehr University Munich explained the processes of defense procurement in his lecture and emphasized that resilient, innovation-capable supply chain management is crucial. Thuringia's Minister President Mario Voigt highlighted the central location and the scientific-industrial strength of the state – in areas such as optics, photonics, or aerospace – and saw great potential for dual-use products.
As a result, interest in further formats of this kind was confirmed. Platforms for personal discussions, exchanges about Bundeswehr procurement processes, and potential collaborations are planned for the future. What is clear: Thuringia supports the participation of its SME companies in the forward-looking segment of defense and security technology.
