EU: The Continental Military Network is Born to Respond to the Russian Threat

In recent months, Russian incursions into NATO and European Union airspace have made it clear how vulnerable the continent is. The perception of risk is now shared: "the threats on Europe's eastern flank must be addressed as a priority," the leaders of the Twenty-Seven reiterated during the last European Council.

In Brussels, the Commission is working on a plan to enable the rapid movement of troops and military equipment across the continent in the event of war. The goal is to create an integrated logistics network – land corridors, ports, and airports – capable of ensuring the unhindered transport of equipment and military personnel, in coordination with NATO.

The EU's “military mobility plan”

According to the Financial Times, the project includes shared rules and procedures among member states, as well as targeted infrastructure interventions: alignment of railway gauges, adaptation of bridges and roads to the weight of convoys, and simplification of customs procedures.
The package of proposals is expected to be presented by November, with the aim of establishing a European military mobility space by 2027.

The inspiration comes from the shared firefighting resources system among member states, but the scale is incomparably more complex: European armies largely depend on private transport operators. The Commission could therefore ask EU countries to register available vehicles and infrastructure to contribute to continental mobilization.

Germany, due to its strategic position, is destined to become the main logistics hub. It has already signed agreements with Deutsche Bahn Cargo, which in case of crisis will be responsible for the rail transport of tanks and armored vehicles. The German armed forces have also signed agreements with Rheinmetall for convoy support and with Lufthansa, which has expressed its willingness to provide maintenance and fighter pilot training.

The Era of European Rearmament

"We have entered an era of rearmament," declared Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall. In 2025, the EU will spend over 180 billion dollars on military equipment, more than double compared to 2021 and more than US spending. The trend is set to grow: in June, NATO countries agreed to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP within ten years, with an additional 1.5% for infrastructure.

Behind this race is the desire to revitalize the European defense industry, long penalized by underinvestment and dependence on the United States. Between 2022 and 2024, one-third of the weapons purchased in Europe came from American companies. The differences remain vast: Rheinmetall recorded a turnover of 10 billion euros in 2024, compared to 60 billion for the American Lockheed Martin.

Innovation is the crucial point. The conflict in Ukraine has shown how decisive drones and satellites are: two areas in which Europe depends on external actors. According to the Economist, to bridge the gap, the EU would need a new generation of entrepreneurs and investors, like those in the United States supporting companies like Anduril (autonomous technologies) or SpaceX (Starlink network). But European capital markets remain too small and rigid to support such scales of investment.

In September, Rheinmetall acquired the Lürssen shipyard, signaling ongoing industrial consolidation. However, large-scale mergers remain unlikely: national governments are reluctant to relinquish control of companies considered strategic for security.

The Role of NATO: The JSEC Command in Ulm

The integration between NATO and the European Union is crucial to make the project operational. In Germany, in the city of Ulm, is located the Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC), a permanent NATO command subordinate to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).

Created in 2018 and fully operational since 2021, the JSEC coordinates the multinational reinforcement and support logistics for Alliance forces in case of crisis. Its task is to "operationalize" the logistics and information network that allows member countries to move quickly and coherently across the entire European territory.

Today, about 450 military and civilian personnel from over 30 allied countries work there, under the command of German Lieutenant General Kai Rohrschneider. The goal is to build an intergovernmental network of contacts and infrastructure that transcends national borders and ensures the readiness of Euro-Atlantic defense.

A More Autonomous Europe, but Still Under Construction

The Commission's project and the JSEC's activity go in the same direction: strengthening Europe's ability to defend itself in an increasingly hostile environment, reducing dependence on Washington.
But without an innovative private sector and investors willing to take risks, Europe will remain vulnerable. Rearmament, however necessary, cannot be limited to increased spending: a common industrial and technological strategy is needed, capable of making European defense autonomous, credible, and sustainable.