AI in the German armed forces: an overview of key action areas
Not only due to its geographic location within the European NATO area, Germany serves as a hub for allied troop movements and rear-area operations, making it a potential target. Rapid technological developments also pose new risks to the German population through cyberattacks and hybrid threats—even during peacetime.
On the digitalized battlefield, the Bundeswehr must deploy its capabilities flexibly, purposefully, and across multiple dimensions, continuously expanding them with new digital skills. Achieving information superiority enables rapid and precise “just-in-time effects.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) is used selectively as a tool within processes. It can support the automation of routine tasks, optimize processes, adapt to dynamic environments, and interconnect systems. In doing so, AI enhances situational awareness and provides a stronger basis for decision-making, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of military operations. Ultimately, soldiers benefit from early threat detection, assistance in mitigating damage, and restoring operational capabilities.
To realize the benefits of using various AI tools, four central fields of action must be considered:
Technology
The technology aspect refers to the technical foundations and methods of AI, as well as the programming and design of AI systems. This aspect determines which types of AI applications are possible for the Bundeswehr, how they operate, how they can be controlled, and what risks they carry.
Some challenges include:
- Selecting suitable algorithms for different tasks
- Ensuring the quality, reliability, and robustness of AI systems
- Guaranteeing the security, confidentiality, and integrity of data and code
- Considering ethical, legal, and social implications of AI systems
- Developing interfaces and interaction possibilities between humans and AI systems
Society & law
This field addresses the societal impacts and expectations of AI, as well as the legal frameworks and responsibilities associated with AI. It covers how AI is perceived by the public and how the Bundeswehr cooperates with other stakeholders, ensures accountability, and resolves conflicts.
The Bundeswehr faces the following challenges:
- Building societal consensus on the goals, values, and limits of AI
- Promoting responsible and transparent use of AI
- Complying with national, European, and international standards and regulations
- Clarifying liability and accountability issues in AI applications
- Managing social, political, and economic consequences of AI
Organization & implementation
Introducing and using AI within the Bundeswehr is a challenging but essential task to ensure the optimal functionality of new solutions and systems.
Typical challenges include:
- Ensuring IT infrastructure quality to provide high performance, security, and scalability for AI solutions
- Addressing the shortage of AI specialists and training opportunities to develop or expand the skills of existing staff
- Promoting openness and trust in AI solutions among users and society
- Identifying the best use cases for AI that create clear added value for the Bundeswehr and users, and managing AI-related risks
People & users
This field concerns the psychological, cognitive, and emotional aspects of AI, as well as the needs and behaviors of AI users. It aims to support human thinking, feeling, and acting in collaboration with AI in a trustworthy way, ensuring high user acceptance.
Challenges in this area include:
- Considering the cognitive, emotional, and social capabilities of AI systems
- Adapting AI systems to the individual preferences, skills, and situations of users
- Educating users on AI knowledge, competence, and understanding
- Preserving human autonomy, dignity, and identity in interactions with AI
- Promoting ethical, moral, and critical awareness among users
Use case: sensor data
Modern command and weapon systems of the German Navy (FüWES) play a crucial role in capturing and processing sensor data on contemporary frigates and corvettes.
FüWES collects a wide variety of sensor data from multiple sources. Specialized software modules fuse these data streams into a single “track” that represents the behavior of a target (e.g., a ship or aircraft).
Sensor data fusion evaluates incoming data based on the accuracy of the sensors. Even the smallest anomalies in lower-priority sensors can provide important information about impending changes in the situation. AI can monitor deviations and alert the operator accordingly.
Calculations for threat and countermeasure analyses, including launch timing, are based on so-called “footprints.” These statically calculated hit probabilities for friendly missiles against various target types take into account approach parameters (distance, altitude, and time required for interception).
The wide range of modern and legacy missiles, drones, and combat aircraft poses new challenges for threat and countermeasure analysis. Not every threat can be clearly assigned to a target type, as modern missiles often follow intelligent flight profiles.
A dynamic, AI-assisted threat and countermeasure planning system could calculate individual dynamic footprints for each target and suggest optimal response timings and countermeasures.
The four previously described fields of action have varying relevance for the use of AI within the steps outlined in this use case. In particular, the question of decision-making is central—both for societal acceptance and for the safety of the soldiers operating the technology.
Conclusion
The Bundeswehr values the strategic use of AI and collaborates closely with academic, research, and internal innovation partners. Successful projects are integrated into operations, guided by a clear strategy aligned with objectives, resources, and needs.
A culture of innovation and continuous learning fosters experimentation, feedback, and adaptation, while ethical and legal standards ensure AI solutions are transparent, fair, and responsible. Strengthening the German and European industry, alongside a vibrant start-up ecosystem, provides a solid foundation for deploying cutting-edge technologies effectively.
