This paper examines how the German defense industry responds to influences from the political environment and how these shape sourcing decisions. Findings from interviews and literature review highlight the importance of explaining supply chain challenges to political decision-makers, but also show that changes in political coalitions can reverse previous developments. Stability is crucial for long-term supplier planning, yet inter-European competition hampers defense industry integration. Such integration is needed to generate large order volumes that would encourage suppliers to remain in the defense sector. The paper concludes that political factors, both domestic and foreign, heavily influence sourcing decisions in the German defense industry. As a result, political considerations often lead to the selection of less optimal industrial sourcing partners to satisfy political decision-makers.