The transformation of Germany’s defense posture marks one of the most significant strategic reorientations in postwar Europe. Long constrained by a political culture shaped by pacifism and dependence on U.S. security guarantees, Germany is now redefining its role as both a military power and a driver of industrial innovation. At the intersection of this change lies the emergence of a new generation of defense startups, supported by a government willing to rewrite procurement rules and rethink its relationship with technology. The evolving German approach raises fundamental questions: can Europe build a defense innovation ecosystem capable of competing with the U.S. and China? And can Germany lead that process while preserving European cohesion?