• Rapid Deployment Capability: As an IAV subsidiary, DFNZ GmbH bridges the gap between the pace of civilian innovation and military necessity.
  • Software-Defined Defense: Technological focus on AI-powered autonomous mission software, sensor fusion, cybersecurity for embedded systems, and highly integrated E/E architectures.
  • Military and industrial DNA: At the helm is Eric Voß, who combines his decades of military experience with IAV’s decades of modern engineering expertise.
  • International debut: From June 15 to 19, 2026, DFNZ will make its first appearance at the world’s leading trade fair, Eurosatory in Paris (Hall 6, Booth H379), for exclusive background discussions.

Berlin / Gifhorn, June 1, 2026 – As Europe faces the biggest shift in defense policy in decades, the demand for rapidly deployable, scalable, and technologically advanced defense systems is growing rapidly. IAV GmbH, one of the world’s leading engineering partners to the automotive industry, is responding to this industrial challenge and announces the official founding of its wholly owned subsidiary, DFNZ GmbH. The new company, headquartered in Berlin, is launching with 50 founding employees and is pursuing a clear growth path: By 2029, the workforce is to be expanded to over 300 defense specialists, and a profitable annual revenue of 60 million euros is to be achieved.
DFNZ will celebrate its international debut at Eurosatory, the leading defense and security trade fair, which will take place in Paris from June 15 to 19, 2026.

Industrial Velocity: Software-Defined Defense in Series Production

While IAV has been developing highly complex systems for global mass production in extremely short cycles for over 40 years, DFNZ is transferring this industrial pace directly to the defense sector. The target audience includes armed forces, defense contractors (prime contractors), and defense ministries within NATO.

“DFNZ is the logical next step for the IAV Group,” explains Jörg Astalosch, CEO of IAV GmbH. “For decades, we have proven that we can industrially scale highly complex, error-free systems. Now we are directing this capability toward a market that needs European security of supply more urgently than ever before. This is not just a business decision—it is a technological responsibility that we are embracing.”

DFNZ’s portfolio focuses on the interfaces where automotive expertise is directly translated into military superiority:

  1. Unmanned Systems: AI-powered autonomous mission software, sensor fusion architectures, and control systems for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles (UAVs/UGVs).
  2. Ground combat systems: Next-generation armored combat vehicles with a focus on robust E/E architectures, embedded software, and cyber hardening of subsystems.

Eric Voß, Managing Director of DFNZ GmbH, brings decades of his own military experience to the company and emphasizes: “From my time in the military, I know that a system on paper protects no one in the field. Armed forces need battle-proven technology—and they need it quickly and in sufficient quantities. From the very beginning, DFNZ has been structured in such a way that we do not treat the market’s regulatory requirements as an obstacle, but rather as a competitive advantage. Those who master compliance and security without compromise establish the necessary foundation of trust with NATO procurers from day one.”

Trade Show Appearance in Paris

DFNZ will make its first major international appearance at Eurosatory in Paris from June 15 to 19, 2026. The management and engineering team led by Eric Voß will present DFNZ’s operational model at Booth H379 in Hall 6.

Note to Editors: Journalists and trade media will have the opportunity at Eurosatory to conduct exclusive background interviews with the management of DFNZ GmbH (Eric Voß). Please contact the press contact listed below to schedule an appointment.

About DFNZ DFNZ GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of IAV GmbH. Under the slogan “Design. Deliver. Defend,” the company develops scalable end-to-end technologies for the defense industry and ministries in the NATO region. DFNZ combines decades of expertise in large-scale production, software, and systems from the automotive industry with the uncompromising requirements of modern defense technology.

Press contact
Nikolas Thorke
Communications & Marketing
Phone: +49 (0)152 225 268 15
Mail: presse@iav.de

More information:
www.dfnz.com
press@dfnz.com