The geopolitical tensions that have increased with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pose potential threats to NATO’s eastern flank. large-scale deployment of troops and equipment scenarios to the European agconcludea. However, these scenarios revealed that Europe’s existing military logistics infrastructure and bureaucratic processes had serious flaws. Commander of France’s Military Transport and Operations Center (Center for Operations and Transport Support) Major General Fabrice FeolaIn a briefing in Brussels, he declared that in the event of a possible large-scale mobilization, the European land transport network will be infrastructure bottlenecks both between actors “resource competition” He emphasized that it will happen.
According to Defense News, Feola is a military shipment border crossing approvals The European Union (EU) aims to “5 business days” contrary to the duration, “actually dozens of days” These bureaucratic hurdles severely limit the ability to rapidly project power in times of crisis.
From the Atlantic to the East: Resource Competition and the Need for Coordination
Major General Feola highlighted a strategic challenge regarding military mobility in Europe, particularly the potential for large-scale landings on the Atlantic coast. US elementsHe stated that NATO may have to pass through France to reach its position in the East.
Feola declared that this situation has an impact on resources a “competition” at the international level He stated that this would create a tight coordination of logistical resources. The rapid deployment of US heavy equipment could conflict with France’s own logistical requireds, which would international coordination reveals that it is of vital importance. France has strengthened the operational capacity of the center with the lessons learned from its deployments to Romania, but power projection He added that many processes requireded to be overhauled to optimize.
Railway and Infrastructure Compatibility: The Biggest Constraint
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, military equipment transportation increased the importance of the railwayFrance, approximately in 2024 150 international military trains He declared that this number was less than five per year before 2021. Rail stands out as the most suitable option for quick and cost-effective long-distance transportation of heavy loads, especially tanks and ammunition.
However, Feola declared that the control of route feasibility, that is, whether a tunnel or bridge can carry heavy military loads He emphasized that it is still taking a long time to determine the appropriate military vehicles and convoys in the new EU military mobility rules. pre-definition of corridors He stated that (in terms of tunnel, bridge and road capacity) is among France’s priorities.
This initiative, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland It is also supported by the announcement of the intention of countries such as to establish military transport corridors in 2024.
Solution Proposals: Digitalization and Coordination Authority
Major General Feola outlined steps that could be taken in the near term to overcome obstacles to military mobility in Europe:
Accelerating Permit Processes: Customs documents at EU level digitalization and border crossing permits simplification.
Applied Coordination Authority: For the management of military mobility in Europe “a practical coordinating authority” establishment.
Wagon Fleet Preparation: Feola declared that France, as well as Germany and the Netherlands, have military rail wagon fleets, but special wagon and railway preparation He noted that it will play a critical role in future deployments.
In conclusion, Feola’s statements indicate that Europe requireds to adapt to the rapidly modifying security environment by not only increasing its defense spconcludeing but also basic logistics processes and civil-military infrastructure compatibility clearly indicates that it requireds to be reconsidered.
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