– It is absolutely necessary to bring military mobility back into the consciousness of Europeans, and for this we need practice – emphasized Bertrand Toujouse, who is responsible for the newly created French Army Land Command in Europe. The portal points out that if Russia attacked a NATO country, European and American soldiers would have to reach the alliance’s eastern flank as quickly as possible.
French General Points to Railways: “That’s Where We Must Concentrate”
“Current obstacles to rapid movement are mainly due to administrative processes. This involves transporting military equipment across borders. Secondly, it is not only bureaucracy that is problematic, but also inadequate infrastructure – including bridges and tunnels – for moving armoured vehicles. Thirdly, the lack of transport capacity, such as railway wagons, is also a problem,” we read.
The French army learned the hard way in the spring of 2022 how difficult it is to cross Europe when it sent a battalion to Romania in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “We were held back by bureaucracy. There’s a war going on in Ukraine, and customs officials are explaining that you don’t have enough tonnage per axle and that your tanks can’t cross Germany,” Toujouse recalled.
The French general stressed that the railways were by far the most practical way to move tanks and “that’s what we have to focus on”. He proposed reducing the fee for access to trains and explained that the French military had to pay 30 million euros a year to guarantee 24-hour access to intercontinental trains. He also assessed that France needed to improve its transport infrastructure.
Europe strengthens cooperation. It’s about transport and military mobility
In July 2024, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania signed a letter of intent on cross-border cooperation on military mobility. A month earlier, France announced it would join an agreement signed by Poland, Germany and the Netherlands to create a military transit corridor. And in May, European Union foreign ministers called on capitals to implement the bloc’s so-called Military Mobility Commitment, which includes a commitment to invest in infrastructure and provide priority access to roads, rail and other modes of transport for armed forces.
Source: Gazeta
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