The Role of the Private Sector in Germany's Overall Defence Strategy – The Results of a Company Survey

An overarching plan for deterring and, in the eventuality of war, fending off Russian aggression cannot be considered solely in military terms, but requires the systematic inclusion of the whole economy. The contribution which companies can make can be divided into four areas: releasing staff for military and civil defence exercises, safe guarding production and supply chains in the event of a crisis, defence against hybrid attacks involving both virtual and physical infrastructure, and integration into defence-related value chains. Our analysis of a representative survey of companies conducted by the German Economic Institute’s IW Future Panel makes clear that, in Germany, protection against threats from the internet and the immediate risk of cyberattacks is already well developed. However, there are serious shortcomings in planning for emergencies, dealing with personnel and material shortages, communication with the security authorities, and in preparing for supply chain bottlenecks. So far, only a minority of companies grant leave to reservists, though this could increase significantly with the growing importance of voluntary military service. Since the nation’s deterrence and defence capabilities remain incomplete without a resilient and well-prepared business sector, there is an urgent need for better communication, a clear legal and regulatory framework and a timely involvement of companies in overall defence policy.