PRESS RELEASE
IAV founds DFNZ for the industrial scaling of modern defense technologies
- Rapid operational readiness: As an IAV subsidiary, DFNZ GmbH closes the gap between civilian innovation speed 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 decades of military experience with IAV's decades of modern engineering DNA.
- International debut: From 15 to 19 June 2026, DFNZ will present itself for the first time at the leading global trade fair Eurosatory in Paris (Hall 6, Stand H379) for exclusive background briefings.
Berlin / Gifhorn, 1 June 2026 – As Europe faces the biggest shift in defense policy in decades, demand for rapidly available, scalable, and technologically leading 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 by announcing the official founding of its wholly owned subsidiary DFNZ GmbH. The new company, based in Berlin, is starting with 50 founding employees and is pursuing a clear growth path: by 2029, the workforce is to grow to more than 300 defense specialists, achieving a profitable annual revenue of 60 million euros.
DFNZ will celebrate its international debut at Eurosatory, the leading defense and security trade fair, taking place in Paris from 15 to 19 June 2026.
Industrial Velocity: Software-Defined Defense at Series Scale
While IAV has spent over 40 years developing highly complex systems in extremely short cycles for large-scale global series production, DFNZ transfers this industrial cadence directly to the defense sector. Its target audience includes armed forces, defense contractors (prime contractors), and ministries of defense 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, fault-free systems. Now we are directing this capability toward a market that needs European supply security more urgently than ever before. This is not merely a business decision – it is a technological responsibility that we are taking on."
DFNZ's portfolio focuses on the interfaces where automotive expertise translates directly into military superiority:
- Unmanned systems: AI-powered autonomous mission software, sensor fusion architectures, and control systems for unmanned aerial and ground vehicles (UAVs/UGVs).
- 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 this: a system on paper protects no one in the field. Armed forces need field-proven technology – and they need it quickly and in relevant quantities. From day one, DFNZ is positioned to treat the market's regulatory requirements not as a hurdle, but as a competitive advantage. Anyone who masters compliance and classified information protection without compromise builds the trust NATO procurers need from day one."
Trade Show Presence in Paris
DFNZ will make its first major international appearance at Eurosatory from 15 to 19 June 2026 in Paris. The management and engineering team led by Eric Voß will present DFNZ's operating model there in Hall 6 at Stand H379.
Note for editors: Journalists and trade media have the opportunity at Eurosatory for exclusive background briefings with the management of DFNZ GmbH (Eric Voß). Please direct appointment requests to the press contact below.
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 within NATO. DFNZ combines the automotive industry's decades of large-scale series production, software, and systems expertise with the uncompromising requirements of modern defense technology.
Press contact:
press@dfnz.com
www.dfnz.com
