American General Ben Hodges was observing a military exercise in Europe when an unexpected incident occurred at a railway station in Poland. As dozens of Bradley infantry vehicles rumbled through the station, some of them were severely damaged as their weapon turrets were torn off by the roof of the platform.
"No one was injured," said Hodges, who at the time was commander of US forces in Europe and has since retired. "But that was thousands of dollars worth of damage. And 10 vehicles that would not be ready for battle for some time."
Obstacles that remain
Ten years later, damaged bridges, mismatched railway gauges, and labyrinthine bureaucracy remain serious obstacles to the movement of military forces in Europe, according to an investigation by the Financial Times.
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, France was unable to send tanks to Romania via the shortest road route through Germany and was forced to transport them via the Mediterranean.
These examples are a stark reminder that Europe's race to rearm is not limited solely to the supply of weapons or the development of large armies. It must also be possible to rapidly transport troops, equipment, and ammunition from the West—where the majority of NATO forces are located—to the eastern flank of the alliance.
The need for military mobility in Europe
According to estimates by EU officials, it would currently take approximately 45 days to move a military force from strategic ports in the West to countries bordering Russia or Ukraine. The goal is to reduce this time to 5 or even 3 days, the same officials said.
German Lieutenant General Alexander Sollfrank, who is responsible for preparing Germany for its key participation in such operations, stated that all elements must function "like a Swiss watch." He noted that the goal is to send a strong message of deterrence to Moscow: "We know what you plan to do and we are ready. Look, we are here."
Political recognition and decisions amidst crisis
Before any movement of NATO troops in Europe, the first problem that would need to be overcome is the political recognition of an impending crisis, according to military officials. When Russia was massing troops and weapons on the border with Ukraine in the months before the 2022 invasion, some Western leaders doubted that President Vladimir Putin would give the order to invade.
"How quickly can we figure out what they plan to do?" Hodges wondered. "Then, it's a matter of speed of decision. Decision-makers need to say we have to mobilize, get ammunition out of warehouses. Time is ticking and we want to do something before the Russians attack."
Challenges in transport infrastructure and strategic upgrades
The rail network is crucial for the rapid movement of troops. In Rotterdam, Europe's largest port, only 9% of the quays can load cargo onto trains. Military convoys simultaneously face bureaucratic obstacles as they move across borders. Commanders must secure enough flatbed railcars to transport armored vehicles of different sizes and shapes.
Many of the roads and bridges in Europe are no longer robust enough to carry tanks. EU member states have identified approximately 2,800 transport infrastructure "hot spots" that need urgent upgrades, and this has been further reduced to 500 priorities.
In the Baltic region, railways still operate on the wider Russian track standard, which means that troops and equipment would have to be unloaded and reloaded onto separate trains to continue their journey.
The Rail Baltica project and relations with Russia
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are in full swing with the Rail Baltica project, budgeted at €24 billion, to integrate their railways with the European rail network, a project designed with military needs in mind.
The recognition of the railway gauge as strategically important for troop movement is also crucial for security, as stated by the CEO of the Rail Baltica project, Marko Kivila. Loading and unloading troops creates "chokepoints" and makes them more vulnerable to attacks.
Necessary cooperation with the private sector
Europe is turning to the private sector to accelerate the necessary upgrades. The German government signed a €260 million contract this year with Rheinmetall to support military convoys passing through the country, while the German federal railway company Deutsche Bahn is also collaborating with the armed forces.
Strategic preparations for a potential military mobility in Europe are still at the beginning, but, as officials note, they are critical for ensuring deterrence and immediate response to a possible military crisis.
www.bankingnews.g
Σχόλια αναγνωστών