European defence and technological sovereignty TUM establishes the TUM Security and Defense Alliance

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The TUM and the University of the Bundeswehr Munich are sending a strong signal for European security and defence capabilities and technological sovereignty: Together with industrial partners, start-ups, the TUM Venture Labs and public sector stakeholders, the "TUM Security and Defense Alliance" was launched.

Greater Munich is one of Europe’s key regions for research, innovation, development and industry in the security and defence sector. The goal of the alliance is to link and systematically strengthen the existing and emerging centers of excellence across this metropolitan area.

The partners of the TUM Security and Defense Alliance, alongside the Technical University of Munich and the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, are:

• Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
• Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG
• Helsing Germany GmbH
• Hensoldt AG
• Industrieanlagen-Betriebsgesellschaft mbH 
• Isar Aerospace SE
• MBDA Deutschland GmbH
• MTU Aero Engines AG
• Neuraspace
• Quantum-Systems GmbH
• Resaro Europe GmbH
• Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
• SAP SE
• TUM Venture Lab Aerospace / Defense
• TYTAN Technologies GmbH

The alliance covers all relevant domains: air, space, land, sea, as well as the cyber and information space. In addition, it aims to reinforce Bavaria’s role as a leading high‑tech region and as a central pillar of European security, resilience and responsible international engagement.

Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann, President of TUM, said: "If you want to secure peace, you have to be able to defend it. We stand by this statement and are creating an innovation ecosystem for more European security with the TUM Security and Defense Alliance. The Alliance aims to responsibly and efficiently transform cutting-edge research and marketable innovations into operational capabilities that contribute to deterrence, crisis prevention, stabilisation and peacekeeping."

Prof. Eva-Maria Kern, President of UniBw M, said: "As the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, we stand for proven expertise in security and defence research. Through the TUM Security and Defense Alliance, we can join forces with strong partners, pool key competencies and translate knowledge into real impact — for a free, secure and resilient Europe."

Europe’s security landscape is changing rapidly

As defence budgets rise and EU programmes expand, civil technology providers are becoming vital contributors to Europe’s strategic autonomy. The event will act as a neutral platform for dialogue between technology suppliers, integrators, and decision-makers shaping the next generation of European defence capabilities and aims to open doors between civil industry and defence procurement, providing practical insights.

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Bavaria's Science Minister Markus Blume said: "TUM is stepping up its capabilities. With the Security and Defense Alliance, the Free State of Bavaria is becoming the technological command center for Europe’s security. In a forward‑looking alliance of the willing, all key players in the field of security are coming together here. More than ever, security depends on strong innovation ecosystems. The new alliance institutionalises collaboration among the partners — from fundamental research to application and even to the creation of start-ups. This strengthens Bavaria’s position as a hub for security and defence technology and builds our own resilience. Deterrence cannot be achieved through lengthy debates about civil clauses. Our universities must address security‑relevant questions — dual‑use is a necessity of our time. In an era of hybrid high‑tech warfare, bold innovation is the decisive factor. The guiding principle is: High‑tech protects our homeland."

Prof. Chiara Manfletti, coordinator of the TUM Security and Defense Alliance, said: "We already have an excellent network in the field of defence at TUM. With the newly founded alliance, we are creating a structure that brings the most important players together. This platform will provide the foundation for systematically strengthening research, development and implementation."

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The alliance pursues six complementary core objectives:

• Bundling of excellence: Strategic consolidation and alignment of TUM’s research activities in the field of security and defence across engineering, natural sciences, digital technologies and system integration, as well as intensified collaboration with UniBw M to jointly leverage existing academic expertise.
• Capability-oriented research: Enabling application‑driven research with early validation and demonstrators, including in autonomy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, sensor technology, aerospace systems and space security.
• Research infrastructure and testing environments: Development and operation of specialised research and testing infrastructure, including simulators, hardware‑ and software‑in‑the‑loop environments, secure computing platforms and field-testing capacities.
• Teaching, training and talent development: Strengthening academic teaching, doctoral training and executive education in security and defence-related technologies and system approaches.
• Innovation and start-up support: Acting as an enabler for start-ups and venture activities in the dual‑use and defence sector, in close cooperation with the TUM Venture Labs and external accelerators.
• National and international networking: Establishing the Alliance as a trusted interface between academia, industry, government ministries, armed forces, and European and international partners.