Security & Defence Industry
Specialist translations for suppliers in Europe's new security era
Quality and compliance: ISO 17100 · ISO 18587 · NDA-proven · data protection aligned with ISO 27001 standards
The security policy turning point (Zeitenwende) is fundamentally reshaping the German and European industrial landscape. With a budget of €108 billion for the Bundeswehr, the special fund for the Bundeswehr, and EU programmes such as ReArm Europe and SAFE, new value chains are emerging. This creates additional demand for classic defence companies, as well as for suppliers and dual-use manufacturers from the mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automotive and IT sectors. One in three German industrial companies views the defence industry as a business opportunity. As companies enter this market, the need for precise, multilingual documentation grows. This includes requirement and technical specifications, training materials and cybersecurity documentation, which are usually required in multiple NATO languages and under strict confidentiality and compliance requirements. Since 2007, COMLOGOS has translated for manufacturers in industries that are now entering the security and defence sector. We have the experience, discretion and first-hand industry terminology expertise to support your business.
Who we work for in the security and defence industry
Dual-use SMEs
Manufacturers whose civilian products also have military applications, such as sensor technology, drone technology, robotics, communication systems or speciality materials. We translate both the civilian product documentation and the additional documentation required for military applications, ensuring consistent terminology and compliance with the requirements of the Dual-Use Regulation.
Newcomers from civilian industry
Mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and automotive suppliers who are applying their expertise in precision manufacturing, quality assurance and series production to defence contracts for the first time. We are familiar with the terminology of your existing industry from 18 years of project work, and we can translate the additional requirements, technical specifications and compliance documents demanded by the new market.
DefenceTech Startups
Young technology companies specialising in AI, autonomous systems, drones, robotics and cybersecurity, which are scaling up rapidly to enter the European defence market. We deliver the international documentation required for tenders, EU funding programmes (EDIP, SAFE) and pilot projects with NATO partners quickly and confidentially, using first-hand industry terminology.
Established tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers
Classic defence suppliers with growing documentation volumes driven by the Bundeswehr special fund and EU programmes. We can support your internal documentation departments during peak periods, providing the scalability, speed and reliability required in a market governed by Bundeswehr and NATO delivery deadlines.
Request a project & receive expert advice
Do you have technical documents that need translating? Send us 1–2 sample files. You will receive a specific recommendation and a quote within 24 hours.
From the civilian market to the security and defence industry
For many clients, specialised translations for the defence industry often begin with building a bridge from traditional industrial sectors. The overview below shows the typical connections between the originating industry and the corresponding field of application in the security and defence industry.
| Classic industry | Connection in the security and defence industry |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | Vehicle and weapon system technology, military systems, special vehicle construction |
| Electrical engineering | Sensor technology, radio technology, military control and communication technology |
| Automotive | Military vehicles, armoured vehicles, logistics and medical vehicles |
| IT / AI / software | Cybersecurity, autonomous systems, reconnaissance, AI-assisted situational analysis |
| Aerospace | Aerospace and defence, drones, satellite technology, military avionics |
Our translation services for the defence sector
From initial tenders to international marketing: we translate business-critical documents for the security and defence industry We draw on industry-specific terminology and almost 20 years' experience in technical translation for the defence industry For many clients, specialised translations for the defence industry and related industries.
Requirement specifications, functional specifications
Requirement specifications, functional specifications and BAAINBw documents form the basis of every defence contract. We translate these documents precisely and in accordance with industry standards, ensuring that your specifications are legally sound even in another language.
Technical documentation
Operating instructions, service manuals and maintenance documentation for military systems. We work with common content management systems and can deliver according to ASD-STE100 or S1000D upon request. Our work is suited to users, service technicians and operating personnel in the field.
Training materials
Training presentations, e-learning content and trainer guides for users, service technicians and operating personnel. The materials use comprehensible language and consistent terminology, paying attention to cultural specifics so that knowledge is transferred reliably, even in NATO partner countries.
Cybersecurity documentation
Security concepts, risk analyses and compliance documents in accordance with IEC 62443 and relevant NATO STANAGs for IT security. These are translated by specialist translators who have a strong grasp of both the technical depth and regulatory language of cybersecurity.
Approval and export documentation
Dual-Use Regulation matters, AWG (Foreign Trade Act) applications, end-use certificates and export control documents. Every word is carefully considered to ensure that your approval processes are not hindered by linguistic imprecision.
Marketing and sales
Data sheets, product brochures and trade show communications for defence trade fairs such as ILA, AUSA or Eurosatory. We convert technically grounded content into audience-appropriate language that is factual and precise with an understanding of the international defence market.
Formats, standards and tools
The security and defence industry has strict standards regarding language, structure and data formats. We are familiar with these standards from our daily work and can provide you with translations that integrate seamlessly into your existing editorial and engineering workflows.
ASD-STE100 (Simplified Technical English)
Mandatory standard for military and aerospace documentation, featuring controlled English with a restricted vocabulary and clear sentence structure. We can translate and check for compliance with this standard, and provide tool-supported validation on request.
S1000D
International standard for military and civilian technical documentation, modular and XML-based. We work within S1000D data modules and deliver translations that can be fed directly back into your publication database.
MIL-STD standards
US military standards relevant for export projects to the US or cooperation with US clients. We are familiar with the formal requirements and can translate specifications that have been checked against MIL-STD.
NATO STANAGs
NATO standardisation agreements that govern terms, procedures and interfaces between alliance partners. We translate STANAG-compliant documents using official NATO terminology in all relevant alliance languages.
CAD/CAE formats
EPLAN, AutoCAD and CATIA are standard in engineering and design departments. We extract translatable content from drawings, parts lists and circuit diagrams, and reintegrate it cleanly after translation.
Content management systems
Schema ST4, COSIMA and TIM-RS are well-established in technical writing. We process XML exports directly within the translation workflow and deliver re-imports that flow back into your system without the need for further work.
Translation and terminology tools
Trados Studio with MultiTerm forms the backbone of our workflows. This is how we ensure consistent terminology across all projects and languages. This is a critical factor for sensitive defence documentation.
Trust, discretion, experience: Our defence expertise
Defence projects demand more than linguistic precision. They also require confidentiality, clear processes and translators who understand the industry. These are the four foundational pillars on which our work for the security and defence industry rests.
Experience with industries in transition
We have been translating for mechanical and electrical engineering and the automotive industry since 2007, which are the very industries that are now moving into the security and defence industry. We are familiar with the terminology on both sides and can guide you confidently through the transition.
Discretion and NDA practice
Strict non-disclosure agreements are standard practice for us. Every translator we deploy signs a project-based confidentiality agreement. On request, we will sign an NDA with you even before we make initial contact.
Data processing in line with ISO 27001 standards
Our internal processes for data handling, access rights and information security align with ISO 27001 requirements, though we are not certified. This ensures the structured and traceable handling of sensitive project data.
Native specialised translators with industrial knowledge
Our translators are native speakers with technical training in the exact industries relevant to defence. On request, we work under the four-eyes principle as defined in ISO 17100, involving an additional review by a second specialist translator.
Related expertise from COMLOGOS
Mechanical Engineering
Building bridges from the core discipline: Mechanical Engineering companies with dual-use potential will find the terminology of their civilian documentation here, combined with defence experience.
Learn more
Plant Engineering
EPC-proven documentation packages and multi-supplier terminology, ideal for defence plant projects with interconnected subsystems.
Learn more
Electrical Engineering & Digital Industry
Sensor technology, radio engineering and cybersecurity documentation are key topics for entering the security and defence industry.
Learn moreISO 9001, ISO 17100, ISO 18587, tekom member, LICS certified, independently audited quality for your defence industry translations.
In the security and defence industry, audit and compliance requirements are everyday business. This is why we consistently work in line with certified processes,which means traceable quality, documented procedures and qualified resources for every project.
- • Qualified translators: native speakers with a technical background in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automotive engineering, IT and aerospace — the industries of defence transition
- • Documented project management: traceable workflows and transparent communication in every project phase, even under strict NDA conditions
- • Four-eyes principle: revision by a second qualified translator in accordance with ISO 17100, particularly recommended for requirement specifications, cybersecurity documentation and approval documents
The right services and technologies
FAQ Frequently asked questions about translations in security and defence
Got a question about translating for the security and defence industry? Here you’ll find answers to the most common questions we’re asked by clients, covering topics such as data security, NDA practice, NATO languages, ASD-STE100 and dual-use export control. If you have questions specific to your defence project, please get in touch directly. We will respond within 24 hours.
Our internal data handling, access rights and information security processes are aligned with ISO 27001 requirements. Project data is processed exclusively on secure systems in Germany, with access restricted to the relevant project team only. very translator we deploy signs a project-specific confidentiality agreement before the project begins. We can also enter into an individual non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with you before we even make first contact, if you wish.
We translate into all relevant NATO and alliance languages, including English, French, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian and Turkish. We also cover the languages of all major export markets, including Eastern European languages and non-European target markets. For every language combination, we work with specialised translators who are native speakers and have a technical background in the relevant industries.
ASD-STE100 (Simplified Technical English) is an internationally recognised standard for controlled English in military and aerospace documentation. It defines a restricted vocabulary and clear sentence rules to avoid ambiguity in safety-critical texts. We can translate and check for STE compliance and provide tool-supported validation of your English-language source texts or translations on request.
Defence tenders often have tight deadlines. We align our processes accordingly. After receiving your enquiry, you will receive a concrete recommendation and a binding quote within 24 hours. For urgent projects, we quickly assemble dedicated teams of multiple translators who work in parallel on your order. This approach ensures consistency is maintained, even under high load, thanks to central terminology control. Get in touch if your deadline is approaching.
We have many years of experience translating for manufacturers in mechanical and electrical engineering and the automotive industry, where dual-use questions have long been routine. This includes applications under the EU Dual-Use Regulation, documentation in accordance with the German Foreign Trade Act (AWG), end-use certificates and approval documents for the Federal Office of Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). We are familiar with the formal language of export control and ensure that your documents remain compliant with the relevant authorities and are legally sound. However, we do not provide export control legal advice ourselves. This comes from your legal specialists or compliance officers.
We are not a traditional defence translation agency with security clearance authorisation. Rather, we are a partner for companies entering the security and defence industry from the civilian market. Our strength lies in translating dual-use documentation, requirement specifications, technical specifications, training materials and cybersecurity documentation for manufacturers who are opening up their civilian products for defence applications. We supplement industry terminology from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and the automotive sector with the defence vocabulary needed for the transition.
Your defence project in trustworthy hands
On request, we sign a confidentiality agreement before every first contact.
Send us one or two sample files or outline your project. Within 24 hours you will receive a concrete recommendation and a binding quote. Confidential, non-binding, with first-hand industry expertise.
Response typically within 24 hours · Confidential handling of your files · Free and non-binding
