The Bundeswehr Cyber ​​Innovation Hub (CIHBw) acts as a “do-tank” – The secret of success of the Bundeswehr innovators

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Grade 1 with stars from the soldiers: This “Do-Tank” really makes the Bundeswehr fit for the future

While the public perception of the Bundeswehr is often characterized by slow bureaucracy and outdated equipment, a unit is operating in secret that is turning these perceptions on their head. The Bundeswehr Cyber ​​Innovation Hub (CIHBw) acts as a "do-tank" and promises what sounds like science fiction in the public sector: bringing innovative high-tech from concept to soldiers' hands within just 180 days. Led by Sven Weizenegger, this hub acts as an agile bridge between the dynamic civilian tech and startup world and the concrete needs of the troops.

The success is measurable: Projects such as AI-supported disinformation detection and life-saving mine-detecting drones are already in use and achieving a satisfaction rating of "a top notch" among soldiers. But despite this impressive speed, the revolution is encountering a familiar German wall: public procurement law. After successfully testing a prototype, many promising projects fall into the so-called "valley of death," where scaling for widespread use fails due to rigid procurement processes. This battle between the speed of innovation and bureaucratic inertia is taking place against the backdrop of a new era in which concepts such as "Software Defined Defense" and a burgeoning German DefenseTech scene are fundamentally redefining the future of national defense.

What is the Bundeswehr Cyber ​​Innovation Hub and what is its mission?

The Bundeswehr Cyber ​​Innovation Hub, or CIHBw for short, sees itself as a change agent for the German armed forces and is considered the first military digital innovation unit in Europe. Since 2020, this "do-tank" has been headed by Sven Weizenegger, who pursues the vision of empowering the Bundeswehr for its national and alliance defense mission through digital excellence and technological sovereignty.

The hub acts as a crucial interface between the civilian tech world and the military system. Soldiers directly contribute their specific requirements and problems, whereupon the CIHBw specifically searches for market-ready, mostly civilian technologies and transfers them into Bundeswehr practice. The goal is clearly defined: to develop solutions that simplify everyday military life and strengthen the troops' operational readiness.

Strategic management is exercised directly by the Federal Ministry of Defense, while technical leadership lies with the Cyber ​​and Information Technology Department. From a formal legal perspective, the CIHBw is part of BWI GmbH. This structure enables the innovation unit to respond agilely to increasingly shorter development cycles and to advance both dual-use and purely military developments.

How does the rapid implementation of innovations work in practice?

The Cyber ​​Innovation Hub's impressive speed in implementing innovations is reflected in concrete figures: "We can deliver something to the soldiers' yard within 180 days," explains director Sven Weizenegger. This timeframe is considered the speed of light in the public sector and represents a fundamental difference from conventional procurement processes.

Since its inception, the Hub has launched over 200 projects, 40 of which are actively deployed by the military. This success rate of approximately 20 percent reflects its pragmatic approach, which doesn't require every idea to be fully developed. One well-known example is a system for detecting disinformation on platforms like Telegram. Another project saves lives in mine clearance operations through the use of drones.

The CIHBw team is deliberately interdisciplinary and consists of civilians and soldiers. About half of the employees are reservists who are completing temporary military training. This rotation continuously brings new expertise to the organization and ensures a constant renewal of capabilities. IT, AI, communications, and startup experts complete the team and provide the necessary expertise for rapid project development.

What role does soldier feedback play and how is user satisfaction measured?

A key success factor of the Cyber ​​Innovation Hub lies in the direct involvement of end users. "Our user satisfaction rate is 9.5 – in school grades, that would be an A+," emphasizes Sven Weizenegger. This exceptionally high level of satisfaction is based on a systematic feedback system that utilizes various channels.

Feedback comes directly from the soldiers themselves. They write via LinkedIn, by email, or contact the hub directly. This direct communication builds a foundation of trust and ensures that the solutions developed truly meet the needs of the troops. The principle "Whoever reports the problem is part of the solution" is consistently implemented and is considered the CIHBw's recipe for success.

During project development and implementation, the sole focus is on the needs of the troops' users. All developed projects and prototypes are tested on-site with the troops to ensure that they truly add value to everyday operations and enable the completion of daily tasks faster and more easily.

The soldiers bring a special quality to the evaluation. Weizenegger observes: "In tests and discussions, the soldiers are incredibly precise. They can accurately determine whether a solution is truly AI or just marketing." This objective and precise approach helps distinguish genuine innovations from mere marketing promises.

What is the “valley of death” and why does scaling often fail due to procurement law?

The term "valley of death" describes a critical phase between the successful testing of a prototype and its scaling for widespread use. Weizenegger explains the problem vividly: "We are able to deliver something to the soldiers' yard within 180 days. That's lightning speed in the public sector. But after that, we often run into the 'valley of death' – we've tested something, know it works, but scaling fails due to public procurement law."

In the military and defense sector, the valley of death describes the gap between a promising concept or prototype and the transition to a formal program or operational use. Challenges include securing funding, demonstrating operational value, and adapting to existing military procurement processes.

German public procurement law, which is supposed to ensure transparency and competition, often becomes an obstacle to rapid innovation in practice. While the CIHBw can act very flexibly during the experimental phase, larger procurements must follow regular procurement processes. These are traditionally designed for established providers and lengthy procedures, which contradicts the nature of rapid, iterative technology development.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that over 20 percent of all public procurement awards in 2018 resulted in only a single bid, despite tenders being conducted Europe-wide. The average number of bids fell from nine to four between 2009 and 2018, a decrease of 54 percent.

What procurement reforms are planned or already implemented?

The German government has recognized that the existing procurement system must be reformed to keep pace with the demands of this changing era. In July 2025, the Cabinet passed a draft law on accelerated planning and procurement for the Bundeswehr. This Bundeswehr Planning and Procurement Acceleration Act (BwPBBG) represents a consistent further development of the first Bundeswehr Procurement Acceleration Act.

The new law expands the scope to include all "contracts to meet the needs of the Bundeswehr," not just military equipment. This is important because "civilian" products can often be crucial for an efficient Bundeswehr. In addition, all construction projects and planning services for the Bundeswehr fall under the law, regardless of whether they are defense- or security-related.

The law's content has been expanded to include important aspects: In addition to the already advocated rapid procurement of market-available products, the procurement of innovative solutions with a view to ensuring the Bundeswehr's medium- to long-term performance capability is now also a priority. Concrete instruments such as the innovation partnership as a procurement procedure and the prioritization of functional performance specifications have been established.

The possibility of setting concrete targets for value creation in Europe has also been expanded – with the aim of ensuring European and national sovereignty. However, experts emphasize that legal regulations alone cannot achieve these goals – what is crucial is implementation and implementation in concrete procurement.

What does “Software Defined Defence” mean for the future of the Bundeswehr?

Software-Defined Defense (SDD) represents a fundamental paradigm shift in military thinking. Instead of primarily focusing on hardware, software is becoming the key factor for military superiority. In November 2023, a group of experts from the German Ministry of Defense, industry, and Bitkom published a joint position paper on this topic.

The core of SDD lies in the decoupling of sensors and effectors, software and hardware, and data and applications. These are then flexibly combined in data-centric, networked systems. Adaptations to new threats should be possible through software updates, without having to make physical changes to the hardware.

Modern weapon systems are already over 80 percent software-defined, yet the focus in armaments and procurement is still heavily on hardware. SDD aims to change this and create the conditions for rapid response to changing threats through purely software adaptations.

The concept was divided into six key areas of study: Foundation@SDDBw for the basic IT infrastructure, Rapid Development & Deployment@SDDBw for agile software development, AI methods as enablers, information security, and other aspects that together form a holistic overall construct. For Weizenegger, the vision is clear: "I dream of technological sovereignty that operates interface-based. Software Defined Defense by default."

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How has the defense startup scene developed?

For decades, Germany's startup and investor scene ignored military innovations out of conviction, convenience, or fear of bad press. However, this attitude is increasingly crumbling. The war in Ukraine, the return of great power politics, and Europe's open dependence on US defense technology have forced a rethink.

"We're seeing a run. Partly out of responsibility, and partly because there are valid business cases," observes Weizenegger. This trend is reflected in the investment figures: Startups like Alpine Eagle received €10.25 million for drone defense technology, while Arx Robotics raised over €50 million for autonomous unmanned ground vehicles.

However, a Bitkom survey of 44 DefTech and dual-use startup founders also highlighted the challenges: 71 percent consider Germany's current defense capability to be low, and 25 percent even consider it very low. All respondents call for a streamlined and accelerated procurement processes.

84 percent of startups consider real-world laboratories necessary for testing innovations. Another 84 percent advocate for increased public investment in defense startups. The most important German defense tech startup is now Helsing, which has become Germany's most valuable startup.

Weizenegger remains realistic, however: "Of course, not 70 drone startups will survive. Consolidation will come – but that's precisely what fuels innovation." He draws a clear line: "We are not the traditional defense industry. Our focus is digitalization; everything that provides an advantage on the battlefield."

Which specific innovation projects are already in use?

The Cyber ​​Innovation Hub boasts an impressive track record of successful innovation projects. Of the more than 200 projects launched, 40 are already actively deployed in the military. These projects cover a broad spectrum of applications that specifically improve everyday military life.

A prominent example is a system for detecting disinformation on platforms like Telegram. This tool helps the German Armed Forces distinguish facts from deliberately spread misinformation in the information overload of the digital age. Given the increasing importance of information warfare, this represents a critical capability.

Another life-saving project uses drones for mine detection. This technology makes it possible to explore dangerous areas from a safe distance while protecting the lives of soldiers. The use of unmanned systems for such tasks exemplifies how civilian technologies can be adapted for military purposes.

In October 2024, the CIHBw presented the latest developments in drone defense to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. The highlight was a successful field exercise with an interceptor drone from a Munich-based startup. The interceptor drones proved to be significantly faster than expected and were able to successfully neutralize attacking drones at great distances and altitudes.

In collaboration with the Army Reconnaissance Units, further innovation projects are being pursued under the motto "Explore the Unexplored." Ten prototypes in the field of Software Defined Defense have already been presented, all developed by Bundeswehr soldiers themselves.

How is the balance between innovation and military security ensured?

The challenge of reconciling innovation with the high security requirements of the military sector requires a well-thought-out approach. The CIHBw has developed special procedures and structures for this purpose that can ensure both speed and security.

A central component is the System Soldier innovation laboratory in Erding, where technical concepts meet military reality. In simulated operational situations, solutions can be tested, adapted, and optimized for future use. This approach makes it possible not only to develop technologies but also to test their suitability under real-world conditions.

The projects are divided into two parallel formats: The practical track is aimed at teams that can develop operational prototypes in just a few months. The moonshot track offers space for visionary early-stage ideas that pursue new approaches. Both tracks are supported by coaching and direct feedback from stakeholders.

Information security plays a central role in Software Defined Defense and has been defined as a separate research focus, "InfoSec@SDDBw." This demonstrates that cybersecurity is considered from the outset, rather than being added later.

Proximity to the troops is a crucial safety factor. The direct involvement of soldiers in the development processes ensures that only solutions that work under real operational conditions are pursued. Precise evaluation by soldiers helps distinguish genuine innovations from superficial promises.

What role does international cooperation and NATO compatibility play?

The international dimension is playing an increasingly important role in the Bundeswehr's innovation efforts. Software-Defined Defense explicitly aims to expand interoperability within the armed forces and with allies. This "networked operations" is essential for modern multi-domain operations.

The concept stipulates that only compatible systems will enable Germany to respond quickly in an emergency. Weizenegger emphasizes: "For me, this is not just about military strength, but about a cultural shift: away from mere error prevention and toward a culture of learning."

NATO sees digitalization as a way to connect its armed forces across all domains—land, air, sea, cyber, and space. This will enable faster decision-making based on better data and make its own forces more resilient to enemy surprises.

Practical examples of international cooperation can be seen in joint innovation formats. The SPECTRA Challenge, conducted by the Cyber ​​Agency, the CIHBw, and the System Soldier Innovation Lab, seeks solutions to electronic threats against unmanned systems. Such cross-cutting formats create new avenues for collaboration between various German institutions.

The NATO Innovation Fund is already investing in German startups like Arx Robotics, demonstrating that the importance of innovation is also recognized at the Alliance level. These financial ties not only create capital but also strategic partnerships that can contribute to interoperability.

What is the future vision for a digitalized Bundeswehr?

Weizenegger's vision of a technologically sovereign, interface-based Bundeswehr based on the principle of "Software Defined Defense by Default" points the way to the future. This transformation goes far beyond pure technology and requires a fundamental cultural shift within the armed forces.

The focus is on creating modular, reusable software components that can be quickly replaced and updated. This makes it possible to respond to new threats through software updates without having to make physical hardware modifications. Improvements in capabilities and performance are implemented as needed through rapid software adaptations.

The digitalization of the battlefield and the command and control capabilities of the armed forces are at the heart of the Bundeswehr Special Fund. The "Command and Digitalization" component is intended to create an adaptive, secure, and interoperable information and communications network and significantly improve the command and control capabilities of Germany's NATO contribution.

Multi-domain operations between equal adversaries will be the standard in the battlefield of the future. The Bundeswehr must therefore prepare for operations that take place simultaneously in the land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace domains. Software will become a crucial component for the successful coordination and execution of such complex operations.

Weizenegger remains optimistic: "Many have already woken up. It's important to speak honestly about concerns and hopes. Something can grow from that." His vision is a Bundeswehr that is more digital than many believe today – a force that can fulfill its mission of national and alliance defense through innovation and technological excellence.

What challenges remain and how can they be overcome?

Despite the Cyber ​​Innovation Hub's impressive successes, structural challenges remain that stand in the way of sustainable transformation. Public procurement law remains the tough nut to crack. While the hub can operate very agilely during the prototyping phase, scaling often fails due to rigid procurement processes.

Weizenegger calls for "more speed, more courage, and more pragmatism." For him, innovation means not only developing new things, but also stopping them in a timely manner. "The insights gained are far more important than the end result. Government structures can learn from startups how to cope with the courage to abandon projects from time to time." This learning culture contrasts with the traditional error-avoidance mentality of public administration.

Procurement markets are showing worrying trends: The number of bidders declined by 54 percent between 2009 and 2018. It is important to increase the incentive to apply for Bundeswehr contracts in order to make the instrument of economically viable bidding competition effective.

Bitkom calls for at least 30 flagship collaborations between the Bundeswehr and startups in the defense and dual-use sectors by 2030. The CIHBw is to be provided with a substantial budget, deposited as a financial corridor with the Federal Office for the Armed Forces (BAAINBw), and be empowered to bring innovations to the force largely independently.

The solution lies in a holistic approach: experimental formats and framework contract structures for faster procurement of digital solutions, agile methods involving providers and users for the joint development of solutions. Innovation budgets can contribute to dynamism and flexibility, while new tendering and contract models enable different providers to effectively pool their capabilities.

The transformation has already begun, but it still requires political will, structural reforms, and cultural change. Only then can the vision of a digital, innovative, and operationally ready Bundeswehr become a reality.

Markus Becker

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Chairman SME Connect Defense Working Group

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Konrad Wolfenstein

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