Strengthening Strategic Defense Innovation
Berlin, April 28, 2026 – While Berlin has not traditionally been considered a defense manufacturing hub, the German capital region is playing an increasingly important role in the country’s security and defense industry amid a period of ongoing geopolitical, economic and technological disruption. As a leading high-tech and innovation hub, Berlin has long focused on key dual-use technologies – including Cybersecurity, drone technologies, New Space applications, Artificial Intelligence, big data and sensor systems. These technologies are becoming increasingly critical in the face of hybrid threats, cyberattacks and rapidly evolving security requirements. Berlin’s unique ecosystem – bringing together industry, research institutions, academia, policymakers, the German federal government, the Bundeswehr, and international partners in close proximity – creates exceptional opportunities for knowledge transfer, collaboration and innovation. With the launch of TechHub SVI East, this potential is now being unlocked through a more strategic and structured approach.
Officially launched as the Technology Hub for Security and Defense Industries East, the initiative is supported by the Berlin Senate Chancellery, the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, Berlin Partner, the Investitionsbank Berlin, the Berlin-Brandenburg Business Associations, and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The initiative officially launched on Monday, April 27, 2026, during the Berlin Chamber of Commerce’s conference on resilience and defense readiness in Berlin. The event brought together more than 250 guests and approximately 30 speakers, including Berlin’s governing mayor, Kai Wegner, several state secretaries, and representatives from the German Federal Ministry of Defense as well as the Cyber Innovation Hub of the Bundeswehr.
Stefan Franzke, CEO of Berlin Partner, highlighted Berlin’s growing relevance as an international location for security and defense innovation: “International interest in Berlin as a location for the security and defense industry is growing significantly. A key driver is Berlin’s proven expertise in dual-use technologies such as cybersecurity, drones and New Space, semiconductors, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and sensor technologies. Added to this are an international talent pool and close proximity to policymakers, the Bundeswehr, federal agencies, and European partners. The collaborative launch of TechHub SVI East is therefore a logical next step. Berlin Partner supports the systematic development of this ecosystem, coordinates stakeholders, and creates effective formats for business expansion and sustainable innovation management.”
The shared goal of all participating organizations is to establish a cross-state platform for research, development, commercialization, and innovation in the security and defense sector. To achieve this, collaboration with the state of Brandenburg and other eastern German states will be actively expanded, alongside partnerships with established institutions such as the innovation centers of the Bundeswehr. As a future innovation hub for security and defense technologies, TechHub SVI East is designed to position Berlin and eastern Germany as strategic partners for the Bundeswehr, as well as for European Union and NATO allies. Following its official launch, the next phase will focus on establishing governance and operational structures, defining the hub’s strategic services and offerings, and coordinating a unified external presence – including the launch of a dedicated website. In addition, the initiative will develop targeted collaboration frameworks, networking opportunities, advisory services, and support programs for SMEs, startups and organizations operating in the security and defense sector. The rationale is clear: as industry experts increasingly point out, security and defense are emerging as defining location factors – and Berlin is well placed to lead on both fronts.
