ESTA has said it strongly supports the EU’s newly published Military Mobility Package that aims to make it easier for troops, equipment and military assets to move quickly and smoothly across Europe.
The package contains measures to streamline and coordinate national regulations, boost investment in essential infrastructure and drive change through the creation of new pan-European bodies such as the Military Mobility Transport Group.
It also backs the development of pan-European heavy transport corridors to support both Europe’s armed forces and industry.
The measures contained in the package will complement the planned revisions to the Weights and Dimensions Directive governing heavy duty vehicles that are currently under discussion.
Great improvements
Taken together, ESTA believes that the two packages of regulatory reform could lead to dramatic improvements in the speed and efficiency of heavy and abnormal transports throughout Europe – with massive benefits to both Europe’s military operations and industries.
ESTA Director Ton Klijn said:
“The Military Mobility Package contains measures that ESTA has been campaigning on for many years – notably infrastructure investment in specific transport corridors that can be used for both military and industrial purposes.”
“We are also optimistic that some of the permitting and regulatory changes that the package contains will lead to improved harmonized standards and technological improvements – such as agreements on common digital permitting systems.”
Most important measures
The measures in the 115-page military mobility document include:
- establishment of a Military Mobility Transport Group involving the Commission, Member States, the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the EU’s diplomatic service (EEAS)
- investment in four “hotspot” priority mobility corridors containing more than 500 projects for both military and industrial use
- additional spending of 17 billion euros for infrastructure projects with more planned
- creation of a new European Military Mobility Enhanced Response System (EMERS) for fast-track permit procedures and priority access to infrastructure
- streamlined customs and transport formalities
- measures to protect strategic infrastructure with improved cybersecurity and energy security
The EU’s Trans-European Transport Network will oversee delivery of the infrastructure projects, while the new military mobility transport group will coordinate regulatory work. Each country will also appoint a national coordinator for military transport.
Decisive step
At the Package’s launch, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Europe’s Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism said:
“Today’s military mobility package marks a decisive step in strengthening Europe’s ability to respond to any security crisis or threat. We are building on Europe’s biggest transport strength, the Trans-European Transport Network, which is the foundation of military mobility for fast and seamless transport of troops and military equipment.”
He said:
“You cannot defend a continent if you cannot move across it. We are not talking about constructing entirely new infrastructure but adapting existing infrastructure for dual use — both military and civilian.”
Next steps
The planned new regulations contained in the package will next be presented to the Council and the European Parliament for adoption.
Read more
Webpage European Commission – Military Mobility Package
Press release European Commission on Military Mobility Package