The new CEO of the Association for the German Security and Defence Industry (BDSV), who assumes her role this Tuesday, intends to increase transparency within the defense sector. Speaking to both the “Tagesspiegel” and “Handelsblatt”, Elisabeth Hauschild stated that as public investment in security has grown significantly, the public is entitled to know more about the industry’s concerns and operations than before. However, she acknowledged that the sector remains specialized, requiring a degree of discretion in certain matters. Her strategy is to strike a “smart path” that considers both public interest and the confidentiality required for specific defense contracts.
Furthermore, the association, which represents over 600 member companies, plans to push for the reduction of construction bureaucracy under Hauschild’s leadership. She noted that obtaining permits for new production sites is still excessively slow, arguing that the planning precedence currently afforded to military properties should similarly apply to the defense industry.
Despite this industrial focus, Hauschild defended the Federal Government’s existing procurement policies against criticism from economist Moritz Schularick. She emphasized that the military must prepare for a wide range of scenarios and skill sets, requiring assets such as armored vehicles. In her view, relying solely on drones is insufficient to secure or hold territory.
