In battle tested, Christiane Mudra traces the history of disruptive weapons development—from the beginnings of industrialized warfare to its most recent expansion: the digital battlefield.

Munich has become the top investment destination for Europe’s defense-tech elite. By 2030, one in every three euros from the federal budget is expected to go toward defense spending. The label “battle tested” has long since ceased to be merely a selling point at arms fairs.

Four actresses and a dancer guide the audience through a journey through time, taking on different roles: They show off, negotiate, provoke, weigh their options, manipulate, de-escalate—and dismantle the staging of wars and heroes. The play explores the fascination with technology, wars as testing grounds, and the deadly consequences of human ingenuity—as well as geopolitical interests, arms exports, profit, propaganda, ethical dilemmas, and international law. And it focuses on those most severely affected: the civilian population.

battle tested is based on online and archival research as well as interviews with experts and those affected in conflict regions.
The focus is on autonomous weapon systems: decision-making processes regarding their use are highly unpredictable, and the legal framework remains inadequately defined. Yet the digital arms race has long since begun.

Who takes responsibility for the risks?
What do humans learn from past wars?

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