“We can already expect INTERSCHUTZ to be a record-breaking event,” said Dr. Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Board of Deutsche Messe AG, at a trade press conference ahead of the event. “Anyone who isn't there will be missing out,” said Köckler. Köckler cited civil-military cooperation (CMC) as an important focus at INTERSCHUTZ. This will make the trade fair “more than ever a political trade fair.”

To illustrate the current situation, Colonel Armin Schaus from the German Armed Forces Operational Command quoted Chancellor Friedrich Merz: “Germany is not at war, but it is no longer at peace either.” The “carefree days of the 1990s” are long gone, said Schaus. Schaus pointed to “hybrid threats” to which Germany is exposed on a daily basis and whose origins are often unknown. He cited disinformation and “fake news,” cyberattacks, espionage and sabotage attempts as examples. He described the nature of such attacks as “highly creative.”

“We have to do something about these hybrid threats,” said Schaus. “We cannot assume that we are so resilient that nothing will happen.” At the same time, however, we must ensure that we do not fall into paralysis or economic insolvency at the slightest sign of crisis. “We must become resilient in our state, economy, and society,” said the colonel.

Security must be understood as a shared responsibility. Defense should not be seen solely as military defense.

INTERSCHUTZ 2026 provides the right framework at the right time. This is because it addresses the entire spectrum of civil protection. “With the motto ‘Safeguarding tomorrow,’ it hits the nail on the head when it comes to the current challenges,” emphasized the Bundeswehr officer.

A complete mobile hospital from the German Red Cross makes a significant contribution to civil protection and international disaster relief. It will be on display for the first time in June as one of the many highlights at INTERSCHUTZ and will be located in Hall 23.

According to DRK Vice President Jürgen Christmann, the “hospital in a box” can be deployed to a disaster area within 72 hours. Thanks to its modular design, it can be flexibly adapted to local conditions. Whether in the desert, in the mountains, or in the ruins of a city, the mobile hospital can be adapted to the requirements of the disaster area.

During INTERSCHUTZ, the mobile hospital will be on display in an area covering 5,000 square meters with 20 tents. Employees will be there to demonstrate everyday life in the facility. In addition to an operating room, this also includes X-ray, laboratory, and bed stations. Among other things, the hospital was already in use in 2010 after the severe earthquake in Haiti and previously in China.

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