Company

When data lines must function reliably under extreme conditions, armed forces and critical infrastructure operators are increasingly turning to steel-armored fiber-optic cables from the Dresden — based brand PANZERKABEL®. Manufacturer Bildkraft reports a significant surge in demand from the military, industry, and critical infrastructure sectors for these ultra-rugged, interference-resistant specialty cables. A new addition to the product range is a waterproof, tactical fiber-optic cable meeting the IP67 standard, designed for use in field conditions and critical infrastructure applications.

In the summer of 2026, Bildkraft supplied cables for the military IT infrastructure supporting NATO’s REPMUS exercise off the Portuguese coast. REPMUS is one of NATO’s largest exercises focused on unmanned maritime systems and communication infrastructure under operational conditions. Bildkraft supplied various fiber-optic cables through an international procurement company. Prior to this, Bildkraft had equipped several hydroelectric power plant control centers in Austria with PANZERKABEL® products to enhance operational reliability against electromagnetic interference and mechanical damage.

The Bundeswehr is also among the customers. This places Bildkraft within a particularly demanding procurement environment. As one of Germany’s largest public-sector clients, the Bundeswehr imposes stringent requirements regarding technology, information security, and reliability. Consequently, securing a contract in this environment carries significance that extends far beyond the mere monetary value of the order.

This positioning was further confirmed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which granted Bildkraft an NCAGE code and NATO Tier 2 status.

PANZERKABEL® represent the high-end solution for safety-critical scenarios involving long signal runs. While entailing only a modest cost premium over standard cables, they offer significantly enhanced operational reliability — a factor that is increasingly proving decisive in defense and critical infrastructure (KRITIS) applications. This segment is growing by approximately 30 percent annually at Bildkraft, driven by a sharply rising share of industrial and security applications.

Technically, these are so-called AOCs (Active Optical Cables): optical transceivers are housed in the connectors at both ends, with a fiber-optic link running between them. This significantly reduces signal attenuation compared to conventional copper cables and makes the connection largely immune to electromagnetic interference — an advantage, for instance, in the vicinity of transmitters, jammers, or other electronic warfare equipment.

PANZERKABEL® features multi-stage mechanical protection consisting of aramid or Kevlar fibers, a steel sheath, and an outer jacket made of silicone or TPU. Each cable is supplied with an individual test report.

Thanks to its own warehouse in Germany, Bildkraft can also deliver large quantities within a few days.

In addition to the military and critical infrastructure sectors, the company also supplies broadcasters — such as Deutsche Welle, NDR, and MMC Studios — as well as the broadcast and event technology industry under the PANZERKABEL® brand.

Alongside its armored fiber-optic cables, the company markets — under the PANZERKABEL® brand — its own proprietary mounting, transport, and installation solutions for large displays. All feature a five-pin mount that is compatible with widely used Audipack and SmartMetals systems.