Defence sector as an additional line of business?
Are you considering becoming a supplier and want to understand what this means for your business? We assess your organisational and quality-related prerequisites and estimate the potential adaptation effort for a target supply segment.
A practical basis for your next steps
Your company is exploring additional markets. The defence sector is an option, but the requirements and preparation effort are still unclear. At this stage, the first step is to define a possible entry scenario and understand your current position.
The entry assessment is intended for industrial companies from different sectors, including automotive suppliers, plant engineering and component manufacturing. Previous knowledge of AQAP or sector-specific quality requirements is not necessary.
Entering the defence sector – explained clearly
Classifying ISO 9001, EN 9100 and AQAP clearly. Running time about 20 minutes; use the chapters to jump straight to the section that interests you. The video is in German.
The video plays directly from this page.
What we clarify together
The assessment relates to a defined target scenario, allowing existing capabilities to be compared with potential additional requirements.
Define the target scenario
We review your products, manufacturing capabilities or services and the intended customer group. We define a supply segment and possible supply route as the basis for the assessment.
Assess prerequisites
We examine your quality and organisational structures, relevant processes and available evidence. Publicly available or already known requirements of potential customers provide the comparison basis.
Estimate the effort
We prioritise the gaps and identify required roles, possible measures and an initial effort range. Assumptions and issues requiring further clarification are explicitly documented.
An assessment with specific action points
You receive a documented overview of existing prerequisites and areas that appear to need additions. A prioritised action plan supports your decision on further preparation.
- Defined target segment and current position
- Assessment of the processes and evidence examined
- Main gaps and unresolved requirements
- Initial time and staffing estimate with stated assumptions
- Cost-range orientation where measures and resources can be estimated reliably
An appropriate scope
Before work starts, we agree on the site, target segment, focus areas and required documents. Effort and fees depend on that agreed scope.
This gives management, quality management and operational teams a shared basis for further planning.
Where do AQAP and existing quality systems fit?
NATO quality assurance requirements are known as Allied Quality Assurance Publications, or AQAP. Their relevance depends on the product, intended customer and subsequent contractual requirements. An existing ISO 9001 or EN 9100 structure can provide an important starting point for comparison.
The entry assessment first identifies the topics that need further investigation for your target segment. Once the requirement profile is sufficiently specific, a detailed AQAP gap check can assess the additional processes and evidence needed.
The initial questions on two pages
Orientation for industrial companies considering the defence sector as an additional line of business, with key assessment topics and questions for an initial discussion.
What to know before starting
Do we already need a customer order?
The assessment takes place before a specific contract award. A defined target segment and information about potential customers help make the initial assessment useful.
Do we need prior knowledge of AQAP or EN 9100?
No. We first review your existing structures and explain possible additional requirements in the context of the supply segment. Existing certification does not automatically mean that every prerequisite is met.
Does this replace qualification by a customer?
Customer qualification and contract decisions remain the responsibility of the respective customer. The assessment supports your preparation. Certification, government quality assurance and contract brokerage are outside its scope.
Which topics may require additional specialists?
Depending on the target segment, technical approvals, information security, protection of classified information or export controls may need separate review. We document such needs. A complete legal review or market and sales study is outside the entry assessment.
Where does your company stand today?
For an initial discussion, describe your existing services, intended supply segment and current quality-management basis. Together, we define the appropriate assessment scope.