The European Union's need for defense preparedness is no longer up for debate. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, attacks on critical infrastructure, geopolitical tensions and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz all point to the same conclusion: military mobility has become Europe's most urgent infrastructure challenge.
To defend the EU, its roads, bridges, railways, ports and air access must be designed to serve both civilian and military purposes. Developing dual-use infrastructure is not only a demonstration of strength; it is an investment in deterrence, connectivity and prosperity. Yet too much of Europe remains out of reach.
As the European Parliament's co-rapporteur on military mobility, I believe Europe must move from awareness to implementation. Our report highlights four urgent issues: improving cross-border mobility, including the efficiency of cross-border permit issuance, closing the funding gap, strengthening infrastructure on the EU's eastern flank and accelerating delivery.
This article is part of The Parliament's special policy report "Infrastructure for a connected Europe."
Building European deterrence
First, dual-use infrastructure must be considered a core element of Europe's strategic security and economic agenda. Connectivity is a prerequisite for economic development. Every euro invested in transport infrastructure generates multiple returns through frictionless trade, lower logistics costs and quicker response in times of crisis.
Improved mobility boosts investment across member states — not only in frontline regions — while strengthening preparedness, deterrence and collective defense. It also reinforces the single market by enabling the swift movement of goods, services and people.
Second, visible progress on infrastructure sends a stronger message to potential adversaries than declarations or summits. Tangible results are themselves a deterrent.
The Rail Baltica project, which will connect Berlin to Helsinki via the Baltic states, offers a powerful example. It brings together companies across the EU to share technology, expertise and best practice. Joint procurement and coordinated planning, key recommendations of our report, can accelerate delivery and maximize impact.
More broadly, the challenge lies in building an integrated, resilient network capable of supporting large-scale operations. Ports play a central role. They are energy and trade hubs and can reduce deployment times. European ports handle 74% of the EU's external trade and provide 1.5 million jobs, including seasonal and part-time roles.
EU policy must reflect this reality. Targeted investment in the eastern flank — for instance in Baltic ports, drawing on best practices from major hubs such as Rotterdam — would strengthen Europe's ability to move both commercial goods and military equipment more rapidly.
Yet an important element is missing. Effective deterrence requires inclusion. Candidate countries and close allies must be fully integrated into Europe's mobility planning.
Despite growing cooperation between the EU and NATO, mobility gaps remain. Europe should expand corridors toward its eastern neighbors and the Western Balkans to boost its capacity to deploy troops, equipment and supplies.
Coordination is key
Infrastructure is Europe's cardiovascular system. For collective security to function, coordination across borders must be seamless. Given that the primary geopolitical threat originates from the east, reinforcing first-line infrastructure — bridges, tunnels and roads capable of carrying military loads — is a priority.
Closing the funding gap must be a central objective of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The Connecting Europe Facility and dedicated military mobility funding — such as Security Action for Europe, the EU Defence Industry Reinforcement Through Common Procurement Act and the European Defence Industry Programme — should be treated as strategic priorities. Progress depends on cooperation between national, regional and European authorities, as well as industry and private investors.
With clear coordination structures and stronger financial commitments, Europe can turn ambition into delivery. Investing in military mobility is not only about defense. It strengthens the economy, enhances integration and ensures Europe is prepared, resilient and ready to act when it matters most.
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