HANOVER (dpa-AFX) - German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius believes Germany has a duty to do significantly more for European security. "Due to our size, our economic power, and our geostrategic role, Germany has a responsibility to do significantly more than before - and naturally not just for our own security, but for the security of Europe as a whole," the SPD politician said at the Hannover Messe.

Economic strength and security are inseparably linked, Pistorius emphasized. "Without security, there is no prosperous economy; without economic strength, there is no security." A strong industry is a mandatory prerequisite for the defense of democracy and security.

Security has no longer been a marginal issue in Germany since the Russian attack on Ukraine more than four years ago at the latest. "The economy feels geopolitical threats and risks directly. The war in Iran and the current conflict in the Strait of Hormuz make this all too clear."

"We are often still not effective enough"

The Minister criticized the fact that Germany is too slow in implementing innovations. "In the defense sector in particular, given the speed at which things are changing, we cannot afford for years to pass between a functioning, good prototype and mass production." In a world where threats develop in days rather than years, speed is "not a nice-to-have" but a "mandatory prerequisite for our security."

He cited drones as an example: Ukrainian partners are now speaking of innovation cycles of six to twelve weeks. "And no, the honest answer is: we are often still not effective enough or modern enough."

Defense industry in sharper focus for the first time

The topic of armaments is represented at the Hannover Messe this year for the first time with its own dedicated focus. In the so-called Defense Production Park, around 40 companies are showcasing solutions for the rapid scale-up of defense production across 1,200 square meters. On Tuesday, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger and Airbus Defence manager Michael Schöllhorn, among others, are expected to attend.

For the trade fair company, the new area is also a preview of the security and defense exhibition Defense & Security Equipment International Germany, which is scheduled to take place in Hanover for the first time in March 2027./fjo/DP/he