According to the plan, EU countries would gain access to the so-called “solidarity pool”, i.e. a transport resource that could be used in crisis situations. Shared “military mobility assets” — such as ships, planes and trains — would be made available to individual countries to enable the rapid transfer of troops and equipment within the continent if Russia expanded its aggression beyond Ukrainian territory.
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Three EU officials cited by the newspaper confirm that the project is at an early stage, but work on it is gaining momentum. The European Commission is due to present formal proposals in November, focusing on improving transport infrastructure and customs procedures to reduce the time it takes to move troops across borders within the EU.
The idea was created in context growing military threat from Russia and pressure from the United States, which has been calling on European allies for years greater participation in ensuring their own safety.
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A system modeled on the common fight against fires. Germany is a key logistics hub
As revealed by the daily, the project is said to be partly inspired by a mechanism for joint response to forest firesunder which the EU makes equipment and resources available to countries affected by natural disasters. In this case, however, the logistics will be much more complicated – armies often use rolling stock and aircraft belonging to private operatorswhich makes quick cooperation difficult.
According to report of the European Community of Railways (CER)transfer of one light division – approx. 15 thousand soldiers and 7.5 thousand vehicles — would require about 200 trainseach of which would consist of 42 wagons. Including this over 8,400 loaded wagons. CER also notes that wagons must have load capacity of at least 22.5 tons per axleso that they can transport tanks and armored vehicles.
Due to its central location in Europe, Germany is to play a key role in the system. Berlin has already concluded agreements with cargo division of Deutsche Bahnwhich, if necessary, will provide the transport of tanks and heavy vehicles.
Bundeswehr also signed contracts with the concern Rheinmetallwhich is intended to support military convoys passing through the country. In turn, lines Lufthansa they offered to help technical maintenance of military aircraftand even in training of fighter pilots.
Transport resources register
In a first stage, the European Commission may oblige Member States to: disclosure and registration of owned means of transportwhich could be used to mobilize troops. This will create a map of logistics capabilities across the EU – essential in the event of a security threat on the continent.
