That was the Handelsblatt Conference on Security and Defense 2026

Capgemini is a global partner for AI-driven business and technology transformation. The company creates measurable value for its clients by shaping the future of organizations and making it a reality through the interplay of AI, technology, and people. For almost 60 years, Capgemini has stood for responsibility and diversity and employs over 420,000 people in more than 50 countries. Its end-to-end service portfolio is based on extensive industry expertise, a strong partner ecosystem, and capabilities in strategy, technology, design, engineering, and operations. The Group generated global revenues of €22.5 billion in 2025.

EY Germany (EY) is one of the largest German auditing and consulting organizations. EY is the German market leader in the tax sector. EY employs more than 11,100 people at 20 locations. Together with the approximately 393,000 employees of the international EY organization EY serves clients all over the world.

EY helps companies to grow and supports them in their digital transformation. The company advises on the acquisition and sale of companies and parts of companies as well as conducts first-class audits. EY supports entrepreneurs, companies and the public sector in dealing with their acute and urgent issues.

EY consists of four integrated business units – Audit and Assurance Services, Tax Advisory, Consulting and Strategy and Transactions. On the basis of in-depth sector expertise EY supports clients in developing new business models and assessing risks. The multidisciplinary teams also help companies to comply with regulatory standards, keep investors up to date and ensure that clients meet the needs of their stakeholders.

National-Bank is one of the leading private and independent regional banks in Germany. Founded over 100 years ago, it is not publicly traded. Its approximately 5,300 institutional and private owners are a testament to its independence. A conservative business philosophy and sound capital structure ensure the long-term viability of its stability-oriented business policy.

A key target group of National-Bank – besides private clients and institutional investors – is medium-sized enterprises. This includes – and not just since Russia's invasion of Ukraine – those in the security and defense industry. National-Bank is committed to supporting them with comprehensive service packages as a reliable and predictable financing partner, because the realization that "without security, nothing else matters" is by no means new.

SThree is the global STEM workforce consultancy

As a strategic partner, we advise companies, assemble expert teams, and develop project solutions that create real added value. We always go one step further, combining ambition, expertise, and technology, thus living our motto:

Outpace tomorrow, together.

Our global team combines local knowledge with in-depth industry experience in life sciences, technology, engineering, energy, financial services, and digital and creative sectors.

UniCredit is a pan-European commercial bank with a unique offering in Italy, Germany, and Central and Eastern Europe. Our goal is to support societal development by providing the best for all stakeholders and unlocking the potential of our customers and employees across Europe.

We serve more than 15 million customers worldwide. They are at the heart of everything we do in our markets. UniCredit comprises four core regions and two product lines, offering solutions for corporate and private clients. This allows us to provide close support and leverage the full range of services offered by the entire group to supply all markets with the best products.

Digitalization and a commitment to ESG principles are essential prerequisites for our services. They enable us to provide excellent support to our stakeholders and to shape a sustainable future for our clients, society, and employees.

ZANATTA MEDIA GmbH is one of Germany's leading owner-managed media agencies and, according to the Financial Times, ranks among the 1000 fastest-growing companies in Europe and among the top 50 largest owner-managed agencies in Germany. We support ministries, institutions, corporations, and medium-sized businesses with effective communication and media strategies – from recruiting and employer branding to product, image, and awareness campaigns.

With ZANATTA. Defence, the group established a specialized unit for the security and defense industry in 2025. A team of communications experts and former members of the German Armed Forces with operational experience supports defense companies, dual-use providers, and market entrants with strategic positioning, creative communication solutions, and targeted media planning to achieve maximum impact with relevant target groups. Clients include companies such as Quantum Systems, Argus Interception, and international OEMs.

Rivada Space Networks GmbH is building the first true "Outernet": a global, low-latency, point-to-point network comprised of satellites in low Earth orbit. Through laser links between the satellites, Rivada offers resellers and B2B customers the ability to securely connect any two points on Earth with low latency and high bandwidth. The constellation, comprising 600 communications satellites in low Earth orbit, will fundamentally change the availability of secure, global, end-to-end connectivity for governments and businesses in the telecommunications, enterprise, maritime, and energy sectors. Rivada Space Networks is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rivada Networks, Inc.

Today, companies increasingly need to reinvent themselves to succeed in the market. At CMS, we help you put your business on a sound legal footing. Our more than 750 lawyers, tax advisors, and notaries know the laws and understand your industry.

The healthcare and life sciences industries operate within a complex landscape of innovation, stringent regulatory requirements, and significant economic risks. We advise companies, institutions, and investors, particularly where regulatory requirements (EU/DE), competition law, compliance expectations, and data protection requirements intersect. Our Life Sciences & Healthcare team combines legal precision with in-depth industry knowledge – across the entire value chain: from research and development through regulatory approval and market access to sales, collaborations, and dispute resolution.

Our approach is clear: strategic, efficient, and solution-oriented. Thanks to well-established teams, transparent models, and innovative digital tools, even demanding and cross-border projects are implemented seamlessly.

E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions is shaping Europe's energy future. As a long-term, strategic partner, E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions supports industry and cities in transforming their energy infrastructure. From planning to operation, the company implements customized solutions that balance security of supply, affordability, and sustainability. With 8,000 experts in 14 countries, E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions combines international experience with local expertise to ensure the best possible energy supply.

E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions is the strategic end-to-end partner for data centers. The central goal is to transform data centers from passive energy consumers into active players in the energy supply.

The focus is on holistic, decentralized energy solutions that significantly reduce time-to-power. The portfolio includes the planning and implementation of local energy generation, the intelligent use of waste heat for cooling or municipal heating networks, and the comprehensive control of all energy flows.

E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions is a subsidiary of E.ON SE.

Eis-kontakt@eon.com

ARX Robotics, a German venture capital backed dual use start-up, develops autonomous, modular, and cost-effective robotic solutions for military and civilian applications. Through innovative platforms, ARX is setting new standards in European robotics, particularly in the areas of productivity, efficiency, and security. The product range includes four standardized models with scalable hardware components and software architectures. ARX systems are already in use by NATO forces and are currently being qualified and tested by six European nations for various tasks such as reconnaissance, surveillance, transportation, and training.

Helsing is the largest software and AI company for the security and defense sector in Europe. It develops self-financed, market-ready, and future-proof products to close capability gaps in European armed forces. Helsing has been active in Ukraine since 2022 and, in cooperation with the Ukrainian government, founded the Defence Manufacturers Alliance there.

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud, AI and IT automation solutions and consulting services, helping customers in more than 175 countries to gain insights from their data, optimize business processes, reduce costs and gain a competitive edge in their industries.

Thousands of government agencies and companies in critical infrastructure sectors – including financial services, telecommunications and healthcare – rely on the IBM and Red Hat OpenShift hybrid cloud platform to implement their digital transformation quickly, efficiently and securely.

IBM's groundbreaking innovations in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consulting empower our customers with open and flexible options. All of this is built on IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, accountability, inclusion, and service.

Further information can be found at

Lockheed Martin is a global leader in security and defense solutions, continuously driving innovation and technological advancement. With our integrated mission solutions and 21st Century Security® approach, we accelerate the development and deployment of transformative technologies to give our customers and partners a decisive competitive advantage.

MBDA is the only European multinational corporation that is a global leader in complex weapons systems. MBDA and its more than 18,000 employees work together to ensure the national sovereignty of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, as well as other allied countries. MBDA is the only European corporation capable of developing and producing complex weapons and meeting all operational requirements of armed forces on land, at sea, and in the air. MBDA is a joint venture of Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%), and Leonardo (25%).

MHP is a management and IT consulting firm headquartered in Ludwigsburg, Germany. For over 30 years, MHP has combined deep industry understanding with technological expertise, supporting leading companies in complex strategy and IT transformations across the entire value chain. Its industry spectrum ranges from automotive and manufacturing to aerospace, defense, energy, and the public sector. MHP provides strategic and operational consulting in key future-oriented areas such as business transformation, artificial intelligence, SAP and cloud transformation, digitalization of production and supply chains, software-defined products and operations, data-driven business models, customer experience, and the development of platforms and ecosystems. The core focus is on translating technological excellence into industrial-scale solutions – quickly, confidently, and resiliently. In this way, MHP strengthens its clients' global competitiveness. Around 4,500 employees worldwide work together to achieve this goal.

Monarch develops and delivers security solutions for governments, critical infrastructure, and leading companies. Guided by democratic values and a clear stance against authoritarian interests, we address the security challenges of our time – resolutely, based on facts, and with a deep understanding of operational realities. Our mission: to enable success even in the most challenging environments – as a trusted partner in turbulent times.

With an interdisciplinary team of experienced government, technology and defense experts, we develop innovative solutions for the security of states, companies and institutions.

Our projects range from election security missions in the Middle East and cyber capacity-building programs in Ukraine to the comprehensive protection of critical infrastructure. In all our endeavors, we pursue the same principle: security needs partners – both visible and discreet.

Trust, integrity, and responsibility form the basis of our work. By combining technological excellence with strategic thinking, we contribute to a secure and resilient Europe – today and tomorrow.

secunet – Protection for digital infrastructures
secunet is Germany's leading cybersecurity company. In an increasingly interconnected world, the company combines products and consulting services to create resilient digital infrastructures and provide the highest possible level of protection for data, applications, and digital identities. secunet specializes in areas with particularly stringent security requirements, such as cloud computing, the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), eGovernment, and eHealth. With secunet's security solutions, companies can meet the highest security standards in their digitization projects and thus drive their digital transformation forward.

STARK is a German defense technology company specializing in unmanned systems across multiple operational dimensions. Founded in response to an urgent need of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, STARK develops innovative systems that meet the demands of modern warfare: AI-powered, software-based, and scalable. With locations in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine, STARK has an international presence and is headquartered in Berlin.

Since 2018, LiveEO has established itself as the global market leader for AI-powered monitoring of critical infrastructure based on high-resolution satellite data. Today, the company, headquartered in Berlin with offices in the USA, UK, and Latvia, already collaborates successfully with companies such as DB and E.ON. Given the dynamic security situation in Europe, the security and defense sector is becoming increasingly relevant for LiveEO.

CGI Deutschland BV & Co. KG is the independent German subsidiary of CGI Inc., one of the world's largest IT and business process service providers. Our more than 5,000 employees in Germany – including approximately 800 in Defence, Intelligence, and Space – develop results-oriented strategies for our clients' digital transformation and support them with end-to-end services.

We have been collaborating with the German Armed Forces and NATO for almost 50 years in routine operations, exercises, and deployments. We strengthen Germany's command and control capabilities in its overall defense: With successful IP solutions such as DokMBw and KI, or managed services like SINA Managed Service and HIL Operations, we enable armed forces and other organizations to securely handle their classified information.

Oppenhoff is one of the leading independent law firms in Germany. As an independent full-service commercial law firm with offices in Cologne, Frankfurt and Munich, Oppenhoff advises clients in all key areas of commercial law – both nationally and internationally.

Oppenhoff advises companies on European and German antitrust law. Its focus areas include merger control proceedings before the European Commission and the German Federal Cartel Office, antitrust compliance advice, distribution systems, and representation in cartel and administrative fine proceedings. The Oppenhoff team is particularly renowned for its extensive expertise in antitrust litigation. The team regularly represents both plaintiffs and defendants in antitrust damages claims, as well as in the enforcement and defense of other antitrust claims (supply claims, data access claims, etc.). Key industry sectors include aerospace and defense, automotive, chemicals, and retail and consumer goods.

Diehl Defence consolidates the Diehl Group's activities in the defense and security sectors. For over 65 years, the company has been a competent partner to the German Armed Forces and international armed forces, developing into a leading systems house in the field of air defense. Its product range offers system solutions for air defense and includes guided missiles, medium- and large-caliber ammunition for the army, air force, and navy, as well as surveillance, protection, and training systems for military applications. In addition, the company develops and manufactures key technological components such as infrared modules, fuzes, and special batteries. Long-term partnerships with multinational companies strengthen the company's systems and equipment expertise while simultaneously providing access to global markets.

Nikon SLM Solutions AG is a global provider of integrated solutions for metal-based additive manufacturing. Since its founding, the company has set industry standards and continuously shaped the future of metal 3D printing across all major industries. The success of its customers and users is paramount. Nikon SLM Solutions boasts the world's most productive machines for the additive manufacturing of metal materials, featuring up to 12 lasers and build rates of up to 1000 cm³/h. With a state-of-the-art portfolio and a closely collaborating team of experts, Nikon SLM Solutions meets a wide range of customer requirements with maximum efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Nikon SLM Solutions is convinced that additive manufacturing is the production technology of the future. One of the company's goals is therefore to support its customers on this journey – starting today.

Nikon SLM Solutions AG is headquartered in Germany and has branches in France, India, Italy, Canada, Singapore, South Korea and the USA.

The German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) represents the interests of an industry that, through international technological leadership and global success, has become a key driver of growth for the German economy. The German aerospace industry encompasses virtually all strategic key technologies.

The primary tasks of the BDLI include communication with political institutions, authorities, associations, and foreign representatives in Germany, as well as providing services to members both domestically and internationally. The association is the responsible organizer of the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin.

The BDLI is officially accredited by the German Bundestag and fulfills a number of legally enshrined tasks there.

As most important digital association and largest European think tank on digital topics We bring the digital economy into dialogue with politics, media, science and society.

Our overarching goal is to make Germany a leading digital location, to drive the digital transformation of business and administration, to strengthen digital sovereignty and to achieve broad societal participation in digital developments.

About us | Bitkom e. V.

NATO is the world's most successful security alliance, guaranteeing its member states peace, stability, and security for over 70 years based on freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. The German Atlantic Society is dedicated to deepening understanding of the Atlantic Alliance's objectives and providing information about NATO's policies. It advocates for strengthening NATO's European pillar and forging close ties with the two North American democracies.

Independent and non-partisan, we offer lectures, seminars, and conferences that provide a platform for public discourse on Germany's security policy situation within the international community, thus opening up opportunities for new substantive perspectives. Join the discussion and attend events organized by one of our regional groups. We look forward to your participation.

Visit our website for more information:

The BDI's cross-sector NewSpace initiative forms a unique alliance of NewSpace startups, aerospace companies, associations, traditional industrial enterprises, and the digital economy. Nearly 100 companies and associations are already members of the initiative. Its goal is to unite these diverse stakeholders under one umbrella for the first time, thereby actively promoting the digital transformation of the German economy through space applications. Politically, the initiative advocates for strengthening NewSpace "made in Germany.".

Women in International Security Germany (WIIS.de) is the German section of Women in International Security and thus part of a global network of women in foreign and international security policy. WIIS.de was founded in Berlin in 2003. Since then, WIIS.de has operated nationwide as a non-partisan, non-profit organization. WIIS.de advocates for increased visibility of women in foreign, security, and defense policy and now connects and supports over 800 members. For its members, the organization serves as an information platform, a forum for exchange and networking, and is particularly distinguished by the diverse professional backgrounds and areas of expertise of its members. Due to the valuable professional expertise of its members, the targeted development of future female leaders is also a key priority for WIIS.de.

Aerospace & Defence is the international specialist portal for technologies, innovations, and industrial applications in aviation, security, and defense. The platform offers in-depth insights into all key areas of the industry – from avionics, embedded systems, and digital engineering to communications, sensors, and RF design, as well as production technologies such as additive manufacturing.

With journalistic depth and a technical focus, Aerospace & Defence examines the trends, companies, and developments shaping Europe's security and defense industry. Its aim is to foster dialogue between business, politics, and technology – for a strong, sovereign, and technologically leading Europe.

As part of the Vogel Communications Group, Aerospace & Defence connects international experts, decision-makers and technology providers, offering companies the opportunity to present their solutions to a highly specialized professional audience.

Technologies for security and progress.