DSEI Germany appoints military advisory board

Above: DSEI Germany Military Advisory Board IMG1: (from left to right) Lt Gen (ret.) Leidenberger, Vice Admiral (ret.) Frank Lenski, Colonel (ret) Bernd Kögel, Managing Director DSEI Germany and Gen (ret.) Badia.
Courtesy CMS Strategic

DSEI Germany will be the leading exhibition for defence and security in Germany, with dedicated Zones for Air & Space, Land, Naval, Cyber & Information, Joint Support Systems, International & Regional Pavilions and Industrial Solutions. The exhibition will feature defence manufacturers, industrial suppliers and enablers from Germany, Europe and allied nations worldwide. 

An advisory board of respected senior military personnel has been formed to support the event organisers. General (ret.) Chris Badia; Lieutenant General (ret.) Frank Leidenberger; and Vice Admiral (ret.) Frank Lenski stepped down from the Bundeswehr at the end of 2025. Following long and accomplished careers at the forefront of the German Armed Forces, they are now actively driving the discussion on the German defence transformation.

“DSEI Germany is launching at a time when Europe is renewing its military strategy and defence planning. The appointment of Gen. Badia, Lt Gen. Leidenberger, and V Adm. Lenski as advisors brings deep knowledge in land, air, space, naval, cyber and IT but also in defence planning and NATO transformation” said Bernd Kögel, Managing Director DSEI Germany.

“DSEI Germany will be the country’s premier event for the defence sector and industrial base, bringing together the highest levels of Government, the Armed Forces, industry leaders and international partners shaping Europe’s defence posture. The expertise and insight of DSEI Germany’s advisors will help us to ensure that the priorities set out in Germany’s military strategy and those of its allies are reflected throughout the event.” 

Gen (ret.) Badia began his career in the military in the German Air Force in the 1980s, first flying F-4 Phantoms. In the following decades, he commanded, among other units, Fighter Wing 71 in Wittmund, during which time he served in Afghanistan. Later on, he became Commander of the EATC (European Air Transport Command) in Eindhoven (Netherlands) and Head of Planning at the Federal Ministry of Defence, before being promoted to General and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation of NATO in 2022. Before his retirement, Badia was the highest ranking German officer in the Alliance.

Lt Gen (ret.) Leidenberger joined the Bundeswehr in 1977. Among his roles he served as Commander of Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion and was deployed to the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina and, later, to ISAF in Kabul. In 2009-10, Leidenberger served as Commander of the German deployment contingent to Afghanistan, returning in 2015 as Chief of Staff for ISAF’s Resolute Support mission. Leidenberger’s last position was as CEO of BWI GmbH, the IT services provider of the Bundeswehr, which he held until October 2025.

Vice Admiral (ret.) Frank Lenski joined the Bundeswehr in 1981. In the following years he became Commander Technical Group, Naval Air Wing 3 “Graf Zeppelin”, then Head of Division at the Federal Ministry of Defence and Head of planning in the Joint Support Service and later Chief of Staff in the German Navy Headquarters in Rostock. During his last assignment, Lenski held the role of Commander of the German Fleet and Supporting Forces and Vice Chief of the German Navy at Navy Headquarters. 

“I am pleased to join the DSEI Germany team to support the launch of next year’s inaugural event” Gen Badia said. “Germany’s recently launched military strategy stresses the importance of adopting innovative technologies at pace and DSEI Germany offers the opportunity for industry to showcase its solutions on a global stage. As Germany takes a leading role within NATO, I look forward to driving conversations on strengthening the continent’s military capabilities and operational independence.”

DSEI Germany will be held in partnership with the Deutsche Messe AG and will take place 9th-12th March 2027 at the Hannover Exhibition Grounds.