Expert on the defense industry cluster: “We have to explain the rationale”

The chairman of the Central German Security Institute (MISI), former Bundeswehr Major General Markus Kurczyk, is calling for a pragmatic approach to unresolved issues surrounding the planned establishment of the U.S. defense contractor Covenant in Leipzig. “We must continually re-explain the purpose of defense and defense spending,” Kurczyk said. At the same time, he added, it is also clear: “Anyone who takes this new era seriously must also accept that it will manifest itself in concrete ways somewhere.” 

Covenant’s planned production of cruise missiles is excellent news and opens up new opportunities for small and medium-sized suppliers and technology companies.

MISI is a newly founded industry association based in Leipzig that is working to ensure that eastern Germany benefits more from the defense boom. According to its own plans, the association aims to play a significant role in defense-related investments, as well as in civil protection, the protection of critical infrastructure, and cybersecurity, by the end of 2027.