FAZ Tower Discussion: Societal Defensibility – Economy, Military and Innovation in a Time of Change

Summary

In the FAZ Tower discussion, experts from business, military and civil society debated how defensible German and European society is in light of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Franziska Cusumano, CEO of Daimler Special Trucks, emphasized the individual responsibility of each person for societal defensibility. Central findings: Germany must innovate faster, act with less bureaucracy, work more closely with startups, and become technologically more independent from American technology. The defense industry is becoming a defense industry with economic and innovative opportunities, but requires decades of massive investment.

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Detailed Summary

Defensibility Begins in the Mind of the Individual

The FAZ Tower discussion in Frankfurt posed the central question of how defensible German and European society is in light of this time of change. Christoph Hein guided the event, where experts from business, military and civil society discussed the issue.

Franziska Cusumano, CEO of Daimler Special Trucks, opened with a personal journey to Kyiv, where she saw medical trains with wounded soldiers every evening – cared for by citizens without medical training. Her central message: defensibility does not begin in structures, but in the mind of each individual. She challenged everyone to ask themselves: "What is my role in an emergency? What responsibility am I willing to take on?" Scandinavian and Baltic countries are already demonstrating this in a structured way – with disaster protection programs and societal preparation.

Cusumano also emphasized the need for a "change story" from above: there has been insufficient social orientation, structural translation and emotional accompaniment of this time of change. Large corporations like Daimler must take their employees along on this transformation – similar to internal corporate change processes.

Business: Too Slow, Too Bureaucratic, Too German

Cusumano diagnosed critical weaknesses: Germany is too slow at innovation and implementation, too bureaucratic, too German. European coordination is insufficient. A central example of German bureaucracy was provided by Britta Jakob of ARX Robotics: the startup develops autonomous ground drones for Ukraine, but is hampered by absurd German regulations – license plates for drones, parking brakes, lights that attract enemy attention to the device at night. This "jack-of-all-trades" mentality characterizes German procurement: vehicles must simultaneously be road-legal and function in the field, aircraft should be able to land under fire and have 10,000 kilometers range.

Large Tankers and Nimble Speedboats

One solution: large corporations must collaborate with startups. Cusumano spoke of the relationship between large tankers and nimble speedboats: startups can develop prototypes faster and implement innovations, large corporations can produce mass series. Moritz Brake, managing director of Next Maris, posed the critical question: how does a startup remain independent when a corporation buys it? Positive example: Quantum Systems and the Ukrainian Frontline Robotics are building a factory for tens of thousands of drones in Bavaria together – without a large corporation, only with logistics support.

Britta Jakob of ARX Robotics embodies this startup mentality: they listen to soldiers, develop practical solutions and test them in the field in Ukraine. This is faster and more agile than large corporations that are shaped by established design principles.

Software, Dependence and the KUKA Story

A critical issue: weapon systems are only as good as their software – and here Europe is dependent on the USA. Jörg Hove of Daimler Truck described how his company closed its plant in Chernihiv three days after the war began and withdrew its software. Six months later the factory was running again – because Chinese KUKA robots (sold by Daimler) had restarted production. The political naivety: no one could have predicted in 2012 that China would become Russia's partner.

Guntram Wolf from the Bruegel think tank showed another example: the F-127 frigate with German technology uses American software from Lockheed Martin – complete dependence for air defense and missile detection. Similarly with Australia: during submarine maintenance, all Australians had to leave when American engineers opened the "black box."

Wolf's conclusion: this dependence will take decades to unwind. Europe needs dozens of billions for research and development. Until then, only a political solution remains: maintain good relations with America – which is extremely difficult given Trump's new security strategy.

Bundeswehr: Admission of Guilt and Change

Dr. Nicole Schilling, deputy inspector general of the Bundeswehr, was surprisingly self-critical: yes, the Bundeswehr wanted the "jack-of-all-trades" – vehicles that could simultaneously handle road traffic and terrain, aircraft with long-range and short-landing capability. This was possible in peacetime. Now the Bundeswehr has learned: specialization matters.

The procurement volumes show progress: Germany spent 60 billion euros – as much as all of NATO Europe in 2021. Now over 80 billion – more than Britain, France and Poland combined. Germany is becoming Europe's arms forge.

But the mutual finger-pointing remains: industry says the Bundeswehr is too complicated; the Bundeswehr says we've accelerated and provided funding. Both are probably right – an institution like the Bundeswehr acts slowly by nature.

Russia's Armaments Strategy: Long-Term Threat

Guntram Wolf calculated: Russia's defense spending (in purchasing power parity) equals the combined armaments spending of all of Western Europe. With 25,000 Russian casualties per month, Putin's forces still grow – because production is running at full capacity, building stockpiles, not just for ongoing wars. Dr. Schilling warned: Putin is rebuilding his eastern flank – new units, new positions. The next step could target NATO territory, the Baltic states or Poland.

Even if Ukraine achieves a ceasefire, this is no reason for relaxation. Russia has the means for further aggression and is demonstrating the intent.

Ukraine as a Security Guarantee

Wolf shifts perspective: Ukraine is not just a victim, but Europe's greatest and most effective security guarantee – and the cheapest insurance. Every euro for Ukraine is better spent than other security investments. A battle-tested, strong Ukrainian military protects Europe more than German armaments spending alone.

The Baltic states are critical: they belong to the eurozone. An attack on the Baltics means capital controls, banking system runs, instability in the entire euro area. It threatens central European infrastructure and financial stability.

Additionally: hybrid attacks on digital systems. Credit card infrastructure, data centers, power grids – if these fail, modern economy ceases to function.

Diplomatic Solutions and European Strengthening

Hein emphasized at the conclusion: military armaments are necessary, but not sufficient. Diplomatic solutions are essential – and these depend on a strengthened Europe. The USA sends a real estate speculator and the president's son-in-law as negotiators. Europe cannot rely on this.

Europe must become militarily stronger – yes. But it must also practice diplomatic solidarity. This is difficult, perhaps illusory, but there are few alternatives.

Key Takeaways

• Defensibility is a question of individual responsibility – everyone must ask themselves what role they would play in an emergency
• German bureaucracy and lack of specialization hamper innovation in defense; solutions: collaboration with startups, faster decisions, less "jack-of-all-trades" mentality
• Europe is technologically dependent on the USA – in software, high-tech, weapon systems. This dependence will persist for decades
• Russia's armaments spending (in purchasing power parity) is massive; even with 25,000 casualties per month, Putin's military grows – a sign of long-term threat
• Ukraine is the best security guarantee for Europe and the "cheapest insurance" against Russian aggression
• Hybrid attacks on digital infrastructure (credit cards, power grids, data centers) are as threatening as military attacks
• Diplomatic solutions are necessary, Europe cannot rely on the USA and must become more independent
• Major defense investments over decades are inevitable; this can have positive economic effects (jobs, innovations), but does not replace the desire for peace

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