When it comes to geopolitical uncertainties, disinformation, or the impacts of the climate crisis – Germany is facing a sharp rise in both internal and external threats to democracy, society and the economy. To respond resolutely to these threats and ensure that Germany is resilient, robust and acts sustainably, Germany adopted a comprehensive National Security Strategy for the first time in 2023; this also took place in the context of the new era in the country’s foreign and security policy, known as the Zeitenwende.
Security and defence research, one of the strategic research fields covered in the High-Tech Agenda Germany, plays an important role in providing security and sovereignty, promoting societal resilience and ensuring our state has the ability to act and defend itself, now and in the future. It provides a scientific basis for better understanding risks, averting threats and responding appropriately to crises – from natural hazards, to technological risks, to geopolitical conflicts.
By supporting civil security research, the Federal Government is promoting innovative solutions for civil protection, disaster preparedness, and a safe life in a resilient society. This research field addresses both conventional threats and new challenges, such as disinformation, hybrid threats and the need to maintain security of supply.
Research also produces new technical solutions and guarantees high safety standards – nationally and internationally – with regard to the safe handling of the legacies of nuclear energy use, for example when it comes to the dismantling of nuclear installations or the final disposal of radioactive waste, but also with regard to the operation of research reactors in Germany and reactors abroad.
In the field of IT and cybersecurity research, given the growing cyber threats and technological developments such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies, the Federal Government is focusing on secure and trustworthy IT solutions, with the involvement of the scientific community, the private sector and society. In addition, organisations which receive institutional funding, such as the Agency for Innovation in Cyber Security, the National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity (ATHENE) and the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, are also working together to strengthen digital sovereignty.
Defence and military scientific research ensures that Germany’s armed forces, the Bundeswehr, retain their capacity to act and viability for the future. It translates civil scientific findings into capabilities for military use, and takes into account cutting-edge research and developments across the whole spectrum of research fields that are relevant for military science. To this end, Germany cooperates with European, transatlantic and international partners who share its values, and plays an active role in research and innovation initiatives.
Understanding the root causes of conflict and developing policy options is one aspect of peace and conflict research. The Federal Government supports both social science research and scientific and technical research into the fundamentals of peacekeeping and their application.
More detailed information can be found in Chapter 6 of the Federal Report (in German).