The Technical University of Munich and the University of the Bundeswehr Munich have launched a new initiative to strengthen European security and advance technological sovereignty.
TUM announced Monday the creation of the TUM Security and Defense Alliance, a strategic innovation hub designed to connect academic research with industry partners, startups, venture development programs and public sector stakeholders to accelerate the development of security and defense technologies.
The alliance will support projects across air, land, sea, space, and cyber and information domains, positioning the Greater Munich region as a key European center for defense-related research and industrial innovation.
TUM President Thomas Hofmann said the alliance is intended to help transform cutting-edge research into operational capabilities that contribute to deterrence, crisis prevention, stabilization and peacekeeping.
Which Organizations Are Participating in the Alliance?
The alliance includes major defense and technology companies such as Airbus Defence and Space, Diehl Defence, Helsing Germany, HENSOLDT, MBDA Deutschland, MTU Aero Engines, Rohde & Schwarz, and SAP, along with startups including Isar Aerospace, Quantum-Systems, Neuraspace, Resaro Europe and TYTAN Technologies.
The TUM Venture Lab Aerospace/Defense is also part of the alliance.
What Will the TUM Security and Defense Alliance Focus On?
According to TUM, the alliance will pursue six core objectives, including consolidating research activities across engineering and digital technologies, advancing capability-oriented research with early validation and demonstrators, and expanding specialized infrastructure such as simulators, secure computing platforms and field-testing environments.
UniBw Munich President Eva-Maria Kern said the alliance will allow the universities and partners to pool expertise and translate research into real-world impact for a more resilient Europe.
How Is HENSOLDT Supporting the Effort?
HENSOLDT announced it has signed a letter of intent to become an industrial partner of the alliance, expanding its existing relationship with the TUM Venture Lab Aerospace/Defense.
The company said it will contribute expertise to help define realistic use cases and capability requirements and support future joint research projects. According to Christian Schmidt, chief strategy officer at HENSOLDT, the partnership reflects the company’s interest in expanding innovation in emerging areas such as software-defined defense.