Security and Defence
The German defence technology industry is an importanteconomic factor for Germany, underpinning the country’ssustainability and security. In view of the large exportshare and meagre national procurement budget it is crucialto secure and expand Germany’s position in the exportmarkets.
Strategic measures to improve German industry’s competitivestanding must be implemented in order to maintaincore defence capacities and retain jobs requiring highlyskilled workers in Germany.
A main priority here is to establish standardised frameworkconditions for the defence technology industry inEurope. There are considerable distortions of competitiondue to compensation transactions, some of which violateEU law.Further competitive disadvantages arise through subsidiesand state-owned or state-dominated armament manufacturers.Germany must work hard to eliminate these distortions ofcompetition. This includes promoting exports and providingpolitical support in cases of trade disputes. Most importantly,the close co-operation between industry and thegovernment in marketing German products must be continuedand developed.
