German Society for Defence Technology

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wehrtechnik e. V. (DWT) is a German non-profit voluntary association and lobbying organisation focused on defence technology, defence economics and security policy. It was established in 1957 as the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Wehrtechnik (AWT) on the initiative of the armaments department of the Federal Ministry of Defence, and was renamed to its current title in 1967. Its seat is in Bonn. The association describes itself as a neutral dialogue and information platform operating in the complex environment of the Bundeswehr, research, industry, politics and society, and it promotes education on defence technology, the defence economy, alliance capability and security policy through balanced and competent information. The DWT positions itself as part of the security-policy community of the Federal Republic of Germany, the European Union and NATO. It pursues the goal of advancing knowledge about central themes of security and defence policy as well as defence and security technology and the defence economy. Its activities include working groups (Arbeitskreise), expert talks, annual conferences, member assemblies, industry days and awards such as the DWT-Zukunftspreis. The association reports roughly 250 supporting members and about 930 individual members. Governance is provided by a president, vice-president and board chairman. Since 31 December 2019 the president has been the manager Claus Günther, who previously led the defence company Diehl Defence for 13 years. The vice-president is Gisela Manderla, and the board chairman is retired General Rainer Schuwirth. The DWT cooperates with domestic and foreign societies of comparable purpose, with special cooperation agreements with the Gesellschaft für Wehr- und Sicherheitspolitik, the Carl-Cranz-Gesellschaft, the Deutscher Bundeswehrverband and the Verband der Reservisten der Deutschen Bundeswehr. The organisation has been criticised for its proximity to the armaments industry. In 2009 some members of the Bundestag Defence Committee did not disclose that they simultaneously sat on the DWT presidium, and Der Spiegel reported on the issue again in October 2015. The DWT remains an active forum for dialogue between military, industry, politics and research in Germany.

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wehrtechnik e. V. (DWT) traces its origins to 1957, when the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Wehrtechnik (AWT) was founded on the initiative of the armaments department of the Federal Ministry of Defence. The AWT later cooperated with the Arbeitskreis für Wehrforschung (AfW), which had previously been founded by former Wehrmacht generals around Franz Halder who, after the Second World War, were employed in the Operational History (German) Section of the Historical Division of the United States Army. In 1967 the AWT was renamed to its current title, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wehrtechnik. Its first chairman was the former Wehrmacht general Erich Schneider. The association established itself in Bonn as a non-profit registered voluntary association (eingetragener Verein). Over the decades it developed into a forum bringing together the Bundeswehr, defence industry, research, politics and society. It describes itself as a neutral dialogue and information platform and as part of the security-policy community of the Federal Republic of Germany, the European Union and NATO. Its stated purpose is to promote knowledge about central themes of security and defence policy as well as defence and security technology and the defence economy. Institutional cooperation has been a hallmark of the DWT. It works with domestic and foreign societies of comparable purpose, and has special cooperation agreements with the Gesellschaft für Wehr- und Sicherheitspolitik, the Carl-Cranz-Gesellschaft, the Deutscher Bundeswehrverband and the Verband der Reservisten der Deutschen Bundeswehr. Its activities include working groups (Arbeitskreise), expert talks, annual conferences, member assemblies, industry days and the DWT-Zukunftspreis. Leadership has included figures from both the military and industry. Since 31 December 2019 the president has been Claus Günther, a manager who previously led the defence company Diehl Defence for 13 years. The vice-president is Gisela Manderla, and the board chairman is retired General Rainer Schuwirth. The DWT has also attracted criticism for its proximity to the armaments industry. In 2009 some members of the Bundestag Defence Committee did not disclose that they simultaneously sat on the DWT presidium; those concerned were Elke Hoff (FDP), Rainer Arnold and Jörn Thießen (both SPD). The Bundestag's rules of conduct require members to notify the President of the Bundestag in writing of activities as a member of a board or other leading or advisory body of an association of more than local significance, so that they can be published. Claudia Roth, then federal chairwoman of Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, called it a scandal that 'these lobbyists in parliament can repeatedly exert determining influence'. Der Spiegel also reported on the issue in October 2015. The DWT continues to operate as an active association with roughly 250 supporting members and about 930 individual members.

• 2026

  Sixth BWI Industry Days in early September; Dialog mit Militärattachés at Schloss Diedersdorf; member assembly and annual conference in June; expert talks on 31 March.

• 2025

  DWT-Zukunftspreis awarded at BiZBw Mannheim; AKM elects new leadership on 25 November; Koblenz section holds theme day on military vehicle procurement on 4 November.

• 2019

  Claus Günther becomes president on 31 December.

• 2015

  Der Spiegel reports on the DWT's proximity to the armaments industry.

• 2009

  Criticism over Bundestag Defence Committee members not disclosing their DWT presidium roles.

• 1967

  AWT renamed Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wehrtechnik (DWT).

• 1957

  Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Wehrtechnik (AWT) founded on the initiative of the armaments department of the Federal Ministry of Defence.

Neutral dialogue and information platform for defence technology, defence economics and security policy, serving the security-policy community of Germany, the EU and NATO.

• Membership and dialogue platform

• Working groups (Arbeitskreise)

• Expert talks and conferences

• Industry days

• DWT-Zukunftspreis

1. 1dwt-sgw.de | Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wehrtechnik e.Vdwt-sgw.de
2. 2Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wehrtechnik – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wehrtechnik – Wikidatawikidata.org