Our team keeps an eye on military mobility

That's right, it is the 4th European Defence and Security Conference. Surprised to see us there? Don't be. We're just getting started by focusing on military mobility under the European Defence Union.

Our message?

Years ago, the EU introduced the free movement of people, goods, services and capitals under the Single market. It works really well and we all benefit from it. We now need to introduce the free movement of troops, equipment, military investment and military services under a European Defence Union.

When it comes to moving troops and military assets, the EU has not one but two Achilles’ heels - material infrastructure and cross-border procedures:

1. In the period 2021-2027, the EU allocated €1.69 billion for military mobility through the Connecting Europe Facility. However, there is 5x oversubscription as Member States have too many projects in response to the calls for EU funding. Demand says that we need at least €8 billion to pull it off.
2. Current customs forms and necessary national permissions are incompatible with short-notice large-scale movements in a rapid response scenario. Troops and equipment will wondering what to wait for at the internal border crossing points - the permits or the enemy. A military Schengen is a must-have. ???

Once operational, the next European Commission will deliver a White Paper on the Future of the European Defence in its first 100 days. Military mobility should be a separate chapter. Also, the Military Mobility Action Plan 2.0 (2022-2026) must be extended to 2027 and we should have a version 3.0 under the 2028-2035 MFF.

We are thankful to the European Defence Agency for this year's edition - plenty of pragmatism, straightforward solutions and case studies.