| Work Detail |
The Commission and the High Representative have presented a White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 and an ambitious defence package providing financial levers to EU Member States, as part of the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030. The document includes military mobility as a priority for EU security. For military mobility, the armed forces need access to critical transport infrastructure that is fit for a dual-use purpose as well as the availability of all transport modes for which the EU has identified four priority multi-modal corridors (rail, road, sea and air) for military mobility for short-notice and large-scale movements of troops and equipment. The EU has identified 500 hot-spot projects that need to be upgraded urgently including the widening railway tunnels, reinforcing road and railway bridges, expanding port and airport terminals. To effectively address these challenges, the White Paper outlines a number of key lines of action including the enhancement of European readiness for worst-case scenarios, by improving military mobility, stockpiling and strengthening external borders, notably the land border with Russia and Belarus. “The document, which provides a comprehensive reflection on enhancing EU military capabilities, outlines ways to better coordinate national defence spending and strategy, ensuring that collective, coordinated actions provide higher value for money. Under the Security and Action for Europe (SAFE) Regulation, a budget line of EUR 150 billion will be allocated to address common and urgent priorities, including military mobility,” CER says, while welcoming the European Commission’s recognition of the essential role rail will play in EU defence and readiness. While the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030 strengthens pan-European defence capabilities with new financial means, the White Paper frames a new approach to defence and identifies investment needs. “The security architecture that we relied on can no longer be taken for granted. Europe is ready to step up. We must invest in defence, strengthen our capabilities, and take a proactive approach to security,” the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on March 19, 2025, when unveiled the new plan. The White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 presents solutions to close critical capability gaps and build a strong defence industrial base and proposes ways for Member States to massively invest in defence, procure defence systems and build up the readiness of the European defence industry over the long run. |
