The defence logistics market is becoming significantly more important for German and European logistics companies. At the 1st DVZ Defence Logistics Conference in Berlin, Alexander Nowroth (Lebenswerk Consulting Group) estimated the European market in 2025 at around €28.7 billion – by 2030, it is expected to grow to just under €37 billion, and globally to over €190 billion. The largest segment globally in 2025 will be transport and distribution. For 3PL providers, even small market shares can generate eight-figure revenues in the long term.
From the industry’s perspective, the sectors of service and maintenance, as well as infrastructure and logistics, are in particularly high demand. Nowroth estimates that German defence logistics expenditure amounts to between 3 and 5 billion euros per year (excluding purely civilian aviation logistics).
Jörg Mosolf (Mosolf Group) made it clear just how challenging it is to break into this market: for contracts with the German Armed Forces or NATO, high security standards such as ISO 27001 are crucial – and it takes a lot of patience. Mosolf speaks of lead times spanning several years and a business that is geared towards long-term commitment, capital investment and building expertise.
In the political context, experts framed these developments as a “return of geopolitics”, geo-economic upheavals and the systemic conflict between autocracy and democracy. According to voices from industry and the field, sufficient funding, the reduction of bureaucracy and the consolidation of requirements are crucial for enhancing defence capabilities. Furthermore, companies should not limit their focus to national programmes: international cooperation, for instance with regard to Ukraine, is becoming increasingly relevant – not least to ensure transparency and oversight of funding and aid.
Foto Credit: Dierk Kruse
