Karlsruhe has established the Innovations- und Transferzentrum für Drohnen und Drohnenabwehr (IZEDD), a cooperation platform linking research, industry, public authorities and operational users across the unmanned-systems sector. Operated by Fraunhofer IOSB, Fraunhofer ICT and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology’s wbk Institute of Production Science, the centre aims to accelerate the transfer of drone and counter-drone technologies into deployable systems and marketable products.
The Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs approved approximately €300,000 for IZEDD’s initial conceptualisation phase, which runs through the end of 2026. A kick-off workshop in Karlsruhe brought together representatives from science, companies, authorities and organisations with security responsibilities.
IZEDD is intended to cover the full value chain and lifecycle of unmanned systems, from development and production to deployment and counter-UAS capabilities. Its remit includes building cooperation between the three Karlsruhe research institutions and external partners, rather than treating drone development and drone defence as separate fields.
Initial work will focus on establishing organisational structures and connecting relevant contact points. No specific products, contracts, procurement decisions, permanent facility, staffing levels or operational systems have been announced. The initiative is also expected to support dual-use development, supply-chain sovereignty, industrial production capability and the movement of research results into operational applications.