UNIFE: Military Mobility Plan Can Boost Both Defence and Civilian Rail

UNIFE has welcomed the European Commission’s new Military Mobility Package, calling it a crucial step toward a more interoperable and resilient EU transport system. The association says the measures will strengthen defence readiness while improving the speed and safety of civilian rail services across Europe.

UNIFE, the European Rail Supply Industry Association, strongly welcomes the European Commission’s newly unveiled Military Mobility Package, a milestone initiative to reinforce the European Union’s defence readiness through more interoperable, resilient, and responsive transport systems. The package aims at addressing long-standing bottlenecks and ensuring that improvements made for military mobility will directly enhance the speed, efficiency and safety of civilian passenger and freight rail services across the EU.

In response to the European Commission’s Military Mobility Package presented on 19 November, please find the European Rail Supply Industry Association’s reaction in full:

UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe, on behalf of the European Rail Supply Industry, said: "The European Rail Supply Industry welcomes the European Commission's communication on military mobility, as it effectively highlights the current challenges and the critical lack of interoperability that hinders effective military mobility today. It is now time for urgent action to be taken, with immediate implementation of measures that can enhance military mobility without delay. This is a crucial step towards strengthening the European defense infrastructure and ensuring the seamless deployment of forces across borders in times of need."

On the European Rail Supply Industry Readiness

"As a strategic partner, the European Rail Supply Industry is committed to working closely with EU institutions, Member States, infrastructure managers and operators to ensure that the Military Mobility Package delivers its full potential. Military Mobility can only be delivered with the collaboration of industry, as such UNIFE offers its support in an advisory role to the newly proposed Military Mobility Transport Group."

On Enhancing Interoperability and “Dual-Use by Design”

"The proposed Regulation notably strengthens the role of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) by making the preparedness of the Union rail system for military mobility a core part of this remit. UNIFE is committed to supporting ERA in streamlining the vehicle authorisation and registration processes to speed up the deployment of interoperable rolling stock and enhancing the resilience of the railway system."

"In addition, UNIFE stands ready to work together with the European Commission, ERA and European Standardisation Organisations (CEN, CENELEC, ETSI) to review the current technical specifications and standards to meet military requirements and deliver ‘dual-use by design’."

"Further joint Research and Innovation to support enhanced military mobility capabilities should be secured under the current and next Horizon Europe Framework Programme. We must ensure a successor for Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking to coordinate the development and deployment of these innovations, facilitating military mobility."

On Infrastructure and Rolling Stock Investment

"In preparing for the worst, European can build for the best. The investments made under this package, notably to address the 500 cross-border infrastructure hotspots, will undoubtably benefit the European railways system and civilian use as a whole. Creating an efficient, resilience, high capacity and truly interoperable dual-use railway system, building on the TEN-T network together with the full deployment of ERTMS®, is not only an enabler for military mobility but for Europe’s economy and society."

"UNIFE further welcomes the plans for improved governance and coordination, including the establishment of National Coordinators for Cross-Border Military Transport, a new Military Mobility Transport Group, and an enhanced TEN-T Committee. These structures will provide clearer responsibilities and ensure more efficient cross-border cooperation."

"The Regulation provides the basis to acquire transport assets with the support of the upcoming European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). This is an opportunity to invest in dual-use interoperable cross-border rolling stock which could then become part of the Solidarity Pool foreseen in the Regulation. Those investments need to abide the European preference principle while excluding high-risk third country suppliers."

Source: UNIFE Press Release