The Essential Race for Readiness - Strengthening NATO's Military Mobility

 

For NATO, the task of aligning logistical capabilities with strategic objectives is like trying to harmonize the intricate notes of a symphony, ensuring each movement of forces resonates with the overarching melody of collective defense.

As the frost of a long Cold War slowly thaws, the geopolitical landscape of Europe undergoes yet another seismic shift, demanding a vigilant and swift response from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The recent onset of "Steadfast Defender 24," NATO's largest exercise since the Cold War, which began in January 24th and spanning until the end of May, underscores the pivotal necessity of rapid force mobilization in deterring the resurgent threats from Russia. This colossal exercise, involving approximately 90,000 personnel from 31 NATO allies and the new member Sweden, is more than a mere display of military might; it is a testament to NATO's commitment to safeguarding peace through readiness and resilience.

In the aftermath of the 2022 Vilnius summit, NATO has ardently pursued the ambitious objective of maintaining 300,000 troops in a heightened state of readiness. The sprawling geographical expanse of NATO's responsibility, significantly broader than during the Cold War era, necessitates an efficient mechanism for swift and seamless movement of forces across diverse national territories, confronting a potential crisis from any quarter. The exercise, "Steadfast Defender 24," aims to critically assess and identify the requisite enhancements in cross-border military mobility.

The stark reality, however, paints a more challenging picture. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the European landscape has become a labyrinth of national regulations and customs formalities, significantly impeding the swift movement of military forces. Moreover, the physical infrastructure, including rail systems and bridges, essential for the transportation of heavy military equipment like tanks, has suffered from prolonged neglect.

Recognizing the gravity of these impediments, NATO, alongside the European Union (EU), has endeavored to prioritize improving military mobility since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. This commitment was further cemented in the EU-NATO joint declaration of 2016, subsequently leading to the EU's formulation of the "Military Schengen" action plan. This plan, bolstered by the Permanent Structured Co-operation (PESCO) initiative, led by the Netherlands, aimed to actualize this vision of unencumbered military movement.

Yet, PESCO's progress has been less than satisfactory. As noted by Ben Hodges, former commander of American forces in Europe and current NATO logistics advisor, PESCO's effectiveness has been hamstrung by inadequate funding. The EU's initial proposal of €6.5 billion for supporting military mobility was drastically reduced to a mere €1.69 billion following negotiations, a fraction of what is necessary for the envisioned overhaul.

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022 served as a stark reminder of the urgency of this issue, prompting the EU to announce a renewed plan encompassing multimodal corridors, regulatory reform, resilience and preparedness of transport systems, and enhanced EU-NATO cooperation. An additional €807 million was allocated for 38 projects aimed at bolstering troop and equipment transport.

Collaborative efforts are further evidenced by the recent announcement of a military corridor development plan by the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland. This plan addresses critical logistical challenges such as transport bottlenecks and complex cross-border munitions transport regulations, emphasizing the prioritization of military over civilian rail traffic. General Hodges underscores the imperative of being able to move forces rapidly, for instance, from Rotterdam to the Polish border within 90 hours, to effectively deter Russian advancements.

Despite these strides, challenges remain daunting. The scarcity of rail cars for transporting heavy military equipment, as highlighted in discussions with Deutsche Bahn, points to a significant logistical shortfall. Additionally, NATO's concerns extend to the shortage of military bridging equipment and insufficient host nation support for incoming forces. General Hodges advocates for more extensive forward warehousing of parts and munitions and stresses the need to secure assembly points and logistics hubs from potential attacks.

Reflecting on the experiences of Ukrainian forces, NATO officials have gained critical insights into the modern battlefield, particularly underscoring the essential need for enhanced air and missile defense capabilities. The conflict in Ukraine has served as a stark demonstration of the devastating impact of aerial and missile assaults in contemporary warfare. This has led to a significant paradigm shift in NATO's strategic focus. Now, there's an acute awareness within the alliance of the necessity to bolster air and missile defenses. This realization is not merely a reaction to the current situation but is seen as a vital preparation for the next decade, anticipating the evolving nature of threats and the increasing sophistication of missile technology. Enhancing these capabilities is no longer optional but a fundamental requirement for NATO's collective defense strategy.

In simpler terms, NATO's commitment to improving military mobility across Europe is unmistakable and earnest, yet the journey towards achieving this goal is laden with complexities and challenges. The alliance faces a dual task: first, to navigate through a web of national regulations and infrastructural limitations that currently hinder rapid force movement; and second, to align these logistical efforts with the overarching strategic objectives of the alliance. This balancing act between ambitious plans and their realistic execution is of paramount importance. For NATO, the capability to move forces quickly and efficiently across the European landscape transcends mere logistical planning. It is a strategic imperative, crucial not just for responding to immediate threats but for maintaining long-term peace and stability in a region that is witnessing increasing geopolitical volatility. The alliance's efforts in this direction are therefore not just about overcoming present hurdles but are an investment in the future security and stability of the NATO member nations and their allies.