The new dimension of defense: Why speed matters over security

### Faster than the enemy: Why the German Armed Forces now have to go all in ### The secret weapon of the future? What the “digital thread” means for our security ### Software instead of steel: The radical change that will decide future wars ###

The Revolution in Warfare: How a Digital Nervous System is Transforming Defense

The global security landscape has changed dramatically in recent years. After decades of relative stability and a focus on asymmetric conflicts, Western nations are once again confronted with the possibility of interstate warfare. Technological superiority, long taken for granted, is increasingly being challenged. In this new paradigm, one factor is more crucial than ever: speed. It is no longer just about the speed of tanks or aircraft, but about the speed of the entire defense industry value chain. From the initial concept for a new weapons system, through its development, production, and maintenance, to its rapid adaptation to new threats in the field—every second counts.

The defense industry, traditionally characterized by long development cycles, bureaucratic hurdles, and fragmented processes, is under enormous pressure to adapt. Conflicts today develop at a rapid pace, driven by digital technologies and the swift flow of information. An adversary can develop a new drone tactic overnight, deploy a new cyber weapon, or modify a known system in an unexpected way. The ability not only to react to such developments but ideally to anticipate them has become the central criterion for the operational readiness of modern armed forces.

But reality often paints a different picture. Outdated structures, endless decision-making processes, and a culture that prioritizes risk aversion over agility stifle the necessary momentum. However, policymakers recognize the strategic importance of digital transformation. Significant investments, such as the €300 million allocated by the Deep Tech Defense Innovation Fund (DTDIF), are being channeled specifically into the development of digital defense technologies. The message is unequivocal: those who fail to keep pace with digitalization not only lose their competitiveness but ultimately jeopardize national security. In this context, speed is no longer a matter of choice; it is the absolute prerequisite for maintaining defense capabilities.

This inevitable transformation, however, brings with it profound challenges. It's not about digitizing individual processes, but about rethinking the entire organization. The transformation touches upon five key problem areas that are intertwined: outdated systems, complex regulations, reactive maintenance strategies, ubiquitous cyber threats, and the need for comprehensive interoperability. The solution to these challenges lies in a holistic approach that, through digitization, not only accelerates processes but also creates a higher level of security and resilience.

The Digital Thread as the Nervous System of Modern Defense

At the heart of the solution to these complex challenges lies a concept known as the “Digital Thread.” It can be thought of as the digital nervous system of a defense project. It is a continuous, integrated data structure that connects all information about a system throughout its entire lifecycle – from initial requirements and design, through simulations, testing, production, and operation, to maintenance and eventual decommissioning.

In the past, this information was stored in isolated silos. Engineers worked in their CAD and PLM systems, manufacturing in their MES and ERP systems, and maintenance teams used separate logistics and maintenance software. Data exchange between these departments was often manual, error-prone, and slow. The Digital Thread breaks down these silos. It creates a single, authoritative source of truth that all stakeholders can access in real time. A change to a component's design made by an engineer is immediately visible to manufacturing planning, quality assurance, and technical documentation.

This seamless data availability is the foundation for addressing the industry's core challenges. It not only enables a radical acceleration of processes but also creates unprecedented transparency and traceability, which is essential for security and compliance.

Legacy system vulnerability: The transition to software-defined defense

A recurring problem in the defense world is scenarios based on outdated systems and processes. An aircraft carrier stuck in port for days due to a trivial software error, or an advanced weapons system that cannot be updated against a new threat because the relevant documentation is missing or outdated – these are not fictional stories, but real occurrences that directly jeopardize operational readiness. The root cause often lies in a hardware-centric mindset.

Previously, security-relevant functions were deeply embedded in a system's hardware or firmware. An upgrade typically involved an expensive and time-consuming physical intervention: replacing circuit boards, retrofitting entire modules, or even replacing the entire system. This approach is no longer viable in today's fast-paced threat landscape. The future belongs to Software-Defined Defense (SDD).

In SDD systems, critical capabilities—such as radar detection algorithms, radio system encryption, or missile control logic—are implemented through software. This allows the systems to be continuously adapted to new threat scenarios without requiring physical hardware modifications. An enemy jammer uses a new frequency? A software update can instruct the system to avoid that frequency. A new generation of stealth drones emerges? An update to the signal processing algorithm can improve the radar system's ability to detect them.

This agility, however, is only possible if the software distribution process is absolutely secure, reliable, and traceable. This is where the Digital Thread plays its crucial role. It ensures that the exact hardware revision and software version installed on every single system in the field are known. It manages configurations and dependencies and enables the automated, secure rollout of updates. Tamper-proof versioning and seamless traceability guarantee that only authorized and verified software reaches the systems. This drastically reduces downtime, as updates can be installed remotely and often even during operation, and increases resilience against unforeseen attacks.

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The regulatory jungle: Compliance through a consistent data strategy

The defense industry is among the most strictly regulated sectors in the world. Companies must comply with a multitude of international standards and norms that affect every aspect of their work. These include, for example, the ISO 15288 standard for systems engineering, which defines the entire life cycle process of systems; ISO 27001 for information security management, which is becoming increasingly important in a digitized world; and DIN EN 9100, a specific standard for quality management in the aerospace and defense sectors.

These requirements extend across all departments and phases of a project – from the initial requirements analysis to final acceptance. Demonstrating compliance with these standards using traditional methods is an immense undertaking. It requires the manual creation and maintenance of thousands of documents, reports, and evidence. During audits, information must be painstakingly gathered from various departments and systems, which is not only time-consuming but also prone to errors. The risk of violating a regulatory requirement is high and can have serious consequences, ranging from financial penalties to the loss of contracts.

A continuous digital thread transforms this process from a burden into an integral part of the workflow. It ensures that all relevant data throughout the product lifecycle is automatically, tamper-proof, and contextually documented. Every design decision, every test result, every material batch, and every maintenance task is digitally captured and linked to the original requirement.

This represents a revolution in compliance management for companies. Audits and certifications can be carried out many times faster, as all necessary evidence is available at the touch of a button. Regulatory risks are minimized because process compliance is systematically ensured and not left to chance. Furthermore, the Digital Thread creates unprecedented transparency in supply chains and procurement programs, which is crucial, especially for complex, multinational projects.

From reaction to anticipation: The revolution of predictive maintenance

An undetected hairline crack in a turbine blade, a slowly degrading sensor in a target acquisition system – often it is seemingly minor issues that can have catastrophic consequences. Unexpected system failures in the defense sector not only cause immense costs, but in a crisis can determine the success or failure of a mission and even life or death. For a long time, the traditional maintenance strategy was either reactive (“repair after failure”) or preventive, based on rigid intervals (e.g., replacing a part after 1,000 operating hours, regardless of its actual condition).

These approaches are inefficient and unreliable. A data-driven maintenance strategy, enabled by the Digital Thread, transforms these reactive processes into predictive maintenance. Modern defense systems are equipped with a multitude of sensors that continuously collect data about their condition: temperatures, vibrations, pressure, material fatigue, and much more.

This real-time data from the networked systems flows back into the digital thread and is compared there with the system's digital twin. The digital twin is a highly accurate virtual representation of the physical product that simulates not only its geometry but also its behavior under real-world conditions. By comparing real-world sensor data with simulation models and using artificial intelligence, algorithms can detect minute deviations from the norm and predict the future failure of a component with a high degree of probability.

Instead of waiting for a breakdown, companies can now act proactively. They can plan maintenance cycles much more efficiently and replace only the parts that actually show wear. Costs are drastically reduced through early fault detection and the prevention of expensive consequential damage. Above all, the operational capability and availability of systems are massively improved, and downtime is significantly reduced. The earlier a potential problem is identified, the faster action can be taken. In a critical situation, this very ability to prevent a breakdown before it occurs is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.

Cybersecurity: Protection in a fully networked defense landscape

Modern defense systems are no longer isolated islands, but highly networked digital ecosystems. A battle tank communicates with reconnaissance drones, a warship receives target data from satellites, and a soldier in the field accesses tactical information via tablet. This networking is an enormous advantage, but at the same time creates a vast attack surface for cyber threats. As a result, the demands on cybersecurity have increased exponentially.

Security can no longer be considered an afterthought. It must be an integral part of the development, production, and maintenance process from the very beginning and throughout the entire lifecycle. This is often referred to as "Security by Design" or, in the context of software development, the DevSecOps approach. An attacker might attempt to steal intellectual property during the development phase, introduce malware into the supply chain via a compromised supplier, or cripple systems in operation through hacking, disruption, or manipulation.

A digital thread with embedded cybersecurity ensures that security aspects are considered at every stage. It enables the secure management of identities and access rights, so that only authorized individuals can access sensitive data. It ensures that security-critical software updates are distributed via a secure and auditable channel. Centralized and tamper-proof data management makes it significantly more difficult for attackers to alter data undetected or inject malicious code.

By continuously monitoring data flows in the digital realm, companies can identify cyber risks early and ensure seamless compliance with security standards. The ability to prevent manipulation and guarantee data integrity from initial draft to final use is of vital importance in an era where the next war may well begin in cyberspace.

Interoperability: The Art of Collaboration in the Global Ecosystem

In modern defense, hardly any nation acts alone. Operations usually take place within the framework of alliances like NATO, where the armed forces of different countries must cooperate seamlessly. A German Eurofighter must be able to be refueled by an Italian tanker aircraft, a French soldier must be able to receive target data from an American drone, and a multinational staff must have a shared situational awareness. This ability to cooperate is called interoperability and is a crucial key to success.

Interoperability has several levels. Technical interoperability ensures that systems can communicate with each other physically and digitally, which requires the use of common standards. Process interoperability aims for optimized and coordinated processes between different companies or military units. And organizational interoperability enables efficient collaboration between international partners at a strategic level.

In practice, achieving interoperability is a formidable challenge. Different manufacturers use different systems, data formats, and processes. Data exchange between partners is often characterized by media breaks – data is manually transferred from one system to another, which is slow and error-prone. A Digital Thread addresses this problem at its core by creating a unified, standardized data structure. It eliminates media breaks and ensures a seamless, secure, and controlled exchange of information. It acts as a common language, enabling the systems and organizations of different partners to communicate effectively with one another. This not only accelerates multinational development and procurement projects but is also, in operational deployment, a fundamental prerequisite for a powerful, interconnected military force.

Future-proof defense through strategic digitalization

The speed of innovation and adaptation is now crucial for the success and deterrent effect of defense companies and armed forces. A key prerequisite for this is a comprehensive digital thread strategy that integrates all processes, data, and partners into a unified, integrated digital structure. Companies that pursue this holistic approach not only increase their agility and flexibility but also ensure strict compliance with regulatory requirements and sustainably improve their performance.

The path to digital transformation is not a sprint, but a strategic marathon. It requires more than simply implementing isolated software solutions. It demands a gradual yet consistent expansion of digital processes, based on a clear vision and a structured methodology. It's about systematically identifying digital bottlenecks and making data-driven decisions to optimize processes.

The challenges facing the industry are specific and complex. Partners with extensive experience in the global defense and aerospace industries can help companies leverage proven frameworks to optimize digital processes and significantly accelerate innovation cycles. The question every defense company faces today is no longer whether, but how quickly it can implement digital transformation. Which processes need to be prioritized to achieve the greatest speed advantage? How agile is the organization truly when it comes to responding to emerging threats? Answering these questions together and consistently implementing a data-driven strategy is the only way to ensure future-proof defense and guarantee security in a rapidly changing world.

I would be happy to serve as your personal advisor.

Head of Business Development

Chairman SME Connect Defense Working Group

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I would be happy to serve as your personal advisor.

contact me under Wolfenstein ∂ Xpert.digital

call me under +49 89 674 804 (Munich)

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