The BWI Industry Days 2026, organised by the German Society for Defence Technology and long-standing QBN member, BWI, gathered key leaders across military, industry, and research under the theme “Digitalisation Offensive for the Bundeswehr: Together Faster, More Efficient, More Resilient.”
The event featured compelling insights into the future of military digitalisation and strategic readiness, including:
- Opening Keynote: Dr Bernhard Günther, CEO of BWI GmbH.
- “Key Factor Time – Digitalisation as the Foundation for Multi-Domain Operations”: Major General Dr Volker Pötzsch, Chief of Staff, Cyber and Information Domain Service Command (Kommando Cyber- und Informationsraum).
- “Networked, Sovereign, Secure – Together for Germany’s Defence Capability”: Timotheus Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom AG.
Following these high-level perspectives on defence digitalisation, Johannes Verst, CEO of QBN, took the stage in session 6 alongside Alexander Zumdieck from BWI to present QBN’s Working Group Quantum Technologies for Defence & Security as an example of successful platform that can help align deeptech developments with rapid and efficient public procurement. Their joint presentation, titled “Bridging the Gap to Tomorrow’s Needs – Bringing Key Technologies into Effect in Time,” highlighted how collaborative ecosystems can accelerate the adoption of critical deep technologies for national defence.
The accompanying exhibition vividly demonstrated the current gap between operational technology applications in the field and quantum technologies still under development, underscoring the urgent need for structured, early dialogue.
Strategic Importance: Quantum Readiness for Defence and Security
Ensuring quantum-readiness across armed forces and defence institutions is of increasing strategic importance. Quantum technologies promise to offer game-changing capabilities for national defence and critical infrastructure:
- Quantum Computing & Simulation: Advanced optimisation of complex military logistics, real-time war-gaming, threat tracking, and rapid discovery of next-generation defence materials.
- Eavesdrop-Proof Communications: Ultra-secure quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography protect military communications against advanced cyber threats.
- GPS-Independent Navigation: Quantum-based inertial navigation allows highly precise positioning in GPS-denied or spoofed environments.
- Ultra-Precise Sensing: Next-generation quantum sensors render previously invisible physical phenomena and stealth threats visible.
However, transitioning these technologies from advanced research into operational defence capabilities requires close alignment between technology developers and military requirements.
Bridging Innovation and Defence Procurement Frameworks
The QBN Working Group Defence & Security was established to address a common structural challenge in deep-tech defence adoption: rapidly evolving technological capabilities encounter highly complex public procurement frameworks. While commercial suppliers often face hurdles navigating defence requirements and public-sector processes, procurement and requirement managers face the continuous challenge of evaluating fast-moving market maturity.
Fostering Early Market Engagement (Pre-Procurement Dialogue)
Focusing on procurement readiness as a core initiative, the WG serves as a neutral facilitator by enabling early market engagement and exchange before formal procurement processes begin:
- Demystifying Requirements: Helping technology providers better understand defence standards, operational contexts, and public procurement pathways.
- Informational Market Overview: Providing defence stakeholders with a transparent, consolidated view of market maturity, technological benchmarks, and realistic integration timelines.
- SME & Startup Integration: Ensuring promising startups and innovative SMEs are integrated early into defence innovation pipelines, lowering entry barriers for non-traditional defence vendors.
- Collaborative Exchange: Sharing neutral market insights to support informed, coordinated, and effective procurement strategies while fully respecting official procurement procedures and legal boundaries.
A Neutral, Member-Driven Network Approach
The core guiding principle of the Working Group is absolute neutrality. Operating under a clear governance and legal framework, no single vendor sets the agenda—every participant sits at the table on equal footing.
Led by Marius Schöndorf (Tech Lead for Quantum Computing at BWI) and Matija Matokovic (former Deputy Head of Innovation at NATO and CEO of M-Tech Advisory), the WG brings together over 70 technology providers (research institutes, startups, tech vendors, and defence prime contractors) and more than 20 government organisations and defence entities.
This neutral network approach demonstrates that structured, ecosystem-wide collaboration creates a trusted environment for transparent exchange, far surpassing isolated bilateral talks.
Context: BWI Industry Days 2026
As the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) reorient towards their core mission of national and alliance defence, cutting-edge digital capabilities on the battlefield and a resilient, secure domestic IT infrastructure are crucial for operational readiness and deterrence. As the primary digitalisation partner of the Bundeswehr across peace, crisis, and war, BWI collaborates with industry leaders to strengthen the operational capabilities of German forces through a resilient ecosystem of trusted partners.
Acknowledgements
A sincere thank you to BWI as well as the BWI Foresight & Quantum Team for the invitation, the valuable exchanges, and for hosting such an engaging and forward-thinking event. We look forward to continuing our strong collaboration in shaping tomorrow’s defence ecosystem.
Images Copyright: BWI GmbH
