One of the questions plaguing defence future planners is, “How will we fight in the future?” Future soldier programmes try to answer this question for the dismounted soldier. As technology advances, improvements in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) allow the dismounted soldier to carry more equipment and, therefore, do more. However, this is at odds with human factors such as physical and cognitive burden and complicated by the changing nature of the battlefield.

In this interview, we talk to Lieutenant Colonel Kai Falk, Capability Development Soldier Systems, Army Concepts and Capabilities Development Centre of the Bundeswehr on Germany’s Future Soldier Programme (Infanterist der Zukunft (IdZ)). We enquire about how recent developments have changed the direction of the IdZ, what is envisioned for the future, and how this vision is informed.