EU Plans €17 Billion Military Mobility Overhaul Amid Russian Aggression Fears
The European Commission is planning a €17 billion overhaul of key infrastructure to boost military mobility across Europe. This comes as anxiety grows over potential Russian aggression, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warning of a strike on a NATO member state by 2030.
The Commission's proposal aims to address structural weaknesses and outdated border procedures that could hamper a swift NATO response to threats on the EU's eastern frontier. Most of Europe's transport network was not designed with military logistics in mind, making many bridges unsuitable for rapid armoured deployments. Officials fear tanks and troop carriers could be stranded or delayed by bureaucratic procedures at internal EU borders in an emergency.
The initiative will focus on around 500 priority projects across four military corridors, in cooperation with NATO. However, the specific locations of these projects are not yet detailed. The Commission estimates the final allocation for military mobility could be reduced due to competing priorities among member states during budget discussions.
The EU is pursuing this infrastructure initiative alongside a wider rearmament programme estimated to cost up to €800 billion. The goal is to reduce dependence on the United States for security and respond more swiftly to emerging threats. However, much of Europe's infrastructure remains unfit for heavy military vehicles, posing a serious risk to European security.
