We need to think differently: infrastructure, logistics and societal defense – Image: Xpert.Digital
What is the purpose of societal defense today?
What does societal defense mean in the context of Europe, and why is a change in thinking necessary?
The terms "societal" or "comprehensive defense" describe an approach that does not exclusively involve the military in a country's or alliance's defense strategy. Rather, civil society, businesses, government, infrastructure operators, and municipalities are also meant to collaborate when threats such as military attacks, hybrid operations, or systemic crises arise. The increasing security policy uncertainties, such as those triggered by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, make it clear: defense is not the responsibility of a single sector, but requires the efforts of everyone. The days when crises or threats could be delegated "to the specialists" are over. Infrastructure, logistics, and the economy not only secure prosperity, but also freedom and security. The need for a change in thinking stems from the experience that infrastructure has been viewed and optimized purely from an economic perspective for years. However, the ability to enable defense through rapid deployment, security of supply, and resilient structures has become a fundamental state responsibility.
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What role does industry play in overall societal defense?
Industrial companies assume numerous functions that extend beyond traditional civil defense. They provide products and services for both military and civilian needs, such as energy supply, IT services, vehicle maintenance, and food production. Critical infrastructure, production chains, and transport logistics are closely intertwined with industrial actors. Within the framework of overall societal defense, industry is expected to react flexibly in crises, adapt production capacities, and cooperate with authorities—for example, to maintain supply chains, rapidly repair infrastructure, or provide specialized vehicles for military transport. At the same time, industry benefits from government support, investments in resilience, and clear legal frameworks. All of this requires a security and cooperation culture in which industrial partners are involved early on, regular exercises are conducted, and interfaces with government crisis management are clearly defined.
Why do we need to think outside the box when it comes to infrastructure projects?
For a long time, infrastructure projects – such as road construction, bridge renovation, or public buildings – were primarily planned and implemented according to civilian, economic, and urban planning criteria. Security policy considerations receded into the background after the end of the Cold War. Today, it is clear that it is necessary to upgrade and maintain infrastructure not only for everyday use but also for extreme situations.
Any bridge designed only for cars and lighter trucks represents a bottleneck for military movements in a crisis – especially for heavy battle tanks and modern military transport vehicles, which typically weigh significantly more than current standards allow. This also applies to tunnels, railway lines, loading facilities, and container terminals. A shift in thinking is needed: infrastructure should be designed to be usable for military purposes without compromising its civilian function. This means higher load-bearing capacity, more flexible use, and appropriate provisions (such as retractable bridge abutments or special ramps).
Another change in thinking involves reintegrating security policy aspects into tenders and construction planning: ships, trains, ports, even new public buildings can be designed to offer rapid protection in an emergency or to be converted ad hoc (e.g. as shelters, command posts, distribution centers).
What is the "Military Schengen" and why is it so important?
The concept of "Military Schengen" refers to the Europe-wide freedom of movement for military transports, based on the model of the civilian Schengen Agreement. The goal is to enable the unimpeded movement of military vehicles, troops, and equipment across Europe at any time, similar to the free movement of goods and people. Currently, national regulations, bureaucratic hurdles, and a lack of harmonization often result in military transports being stopped at national borders. Lengthy approval processes, customs formalities, and technical restrictions delay transit and significantly hinder defense operations.
A "Military Schengen" would significantly simplify border crossings for military transport through common standards, pre-approved corridors, and digitized processes. This would allow troops and equipment to be moved more quickly and efficiently to where they are needed in an emergency. Especially in times of heightened threat, such as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the urgent need to shorten response times and enable predictable planning becomes apparent.
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What progress has been made in the area of military mobility in Europe?
Since 2018, 26 EU member states have been pursuing the major project "Military Mobility" within the framework of the "Permanent Structured Cooperation" (PESCO). The aim is to drastically improve the freedom of movement of military forces within the EU. Common rules and procedures, the harmonization of traffic and customs regulations, and the modernization of infrastructure are addressed in several work packages. Switzerland also joined the project in 2025.
Key objectives are to be achieved by the end of 2025, including the establishment of corridors for military transport, central clearinghouses for permits, and the introduction of a digital registration system. Many permit procedures have already been simplified or standardized; initial trials along selected corridors are planned for 2025. However, in the long term, complete harmonization and upgrading of the infrastructure remains a major challenge.
Germany, as a geographical hub of Europe, plays a key role, as the majority of all east-west transport must cross the country. The NATO Joint Support and Enabling Command and the German Armed Forces' Multinational Command for Operational Leadership are stationed in Ulm – they coordinate the preparation and monitoring of the corridors, support communication and transport structures, and strive for seamless international cooperation.
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What is still needed to achieve military mobility?
What obstacles still exist regarding cross-border military mobility?
Although legal frameworks and standardized documents for military transport have been created, many practical obstacles still need to be overcome in Europe:
- Infrastructure deficiencies: Numerous bridges, railway lines, and roads are not designed for heavy tanks and oversized transports. Some are dilapidated or simply not strong enough. As a result, transports often have to take long detours.
- Different technical regulations, especially regarding rail loading and vehicle dimensions, lead to problems.
- Bureaucratic processes, which still require many permits and accompanying documents, cause delays.
- Communication and cooperation between the participating nations can be improved – especially regarding confidentiality issues or short-term ad-hoc situations.
To upgrade all corridors as planned, considerable investment in infrastructure is needed. In Germany alone, at least €30 billion in special funds are proposed to implement urgently needed repairs to roads, bridges, and railway lines. Initial trials are intended to demonstrate the practical suitability of the newly created corridors and identify areas where further improvements are required.
Hub for Security and Defense - Advice and Information
Hub for Security and Defense - Image: Xpert.Digital
The Security and Defence Hub offers expert advice and up-to-date information to effectively support companies and organizations in strengthening their role in European security and defence policy. Working closely with the SME Connect Defence Working Group, it particularly promotes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that wish to further develop their innovative capacity and competitiveness in the defence sector. As a central point of contact, the Hub thus creates a crucial bridge between SMEs and European defence strategy.
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Infrastructure as a key to defense: Rethinking cooperation between municipalities, the federal government and the military
Why are historical concepts like fortification troops becoming relevant again?
Wallmeister troops were units within the German Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) responsible during the Cold War for constructing and maintaining barriers, field fortifications, and specially prepared infrastructure. Their tasks included marking bridges and roads for their load-bearing capacity, installing demolition chambers in bridges, establishing exclusion zones, and providing materials for the rapid repurposing or destruction of infrastructure in the event of an attack. These markings enabled troops to use transport routes safely, prevented overloading, and indicated potential precautionary measures.
With the end of the Cold War and adjustments to defense doctrine, the city's bridge maintenance structures were significantly scaled back or dissolved. Today, however, it is becoming clear that certain elements of this approach are once again in demand: information on the load-bearing capacity of bridges is often lacking, specialized equipment for military use is rare, and the ability to repurpose infrastructure when necessary is scattered across various departments. Expert groups propose consolidating key technical expertise – for example, through specialized teams for militarily relevant infrastructure tasks. This would increase the ability to keep roads and bridges usable for heavy transport, to quickly erect temporary barriers or replacement structures, and to implement specific emergency measures.
What role do inland ports like Neuss play in logistics?
Why are inland ports and their facilities so important for military mobility?
Inland ports like the one in Neuss are essential hubs for the rapid transshipment of goods and vehicles on inland waterways. In peacetime, they are primarily known for the export and import of industrial goods and for automobile transport. In times of crisis or defense, however, they can play a crucial role, provided the existing infrastructure is also designed to accommodate heavy military vehicles.
Today, many ports have ramps and cranes for trucks and cars, but often lack the equipment for loading battle tanks or armored vehicles. Military loading facilities, reinforced slipways, or heavy-duty cranes are far from standard everywhere. Therefore, it is necessary to upgrade existing facilities for military use: for example, extendable ramps, mobile bridges, or additional lifting equipment could be kept on hand to ensure the rapid and safe transfer of even the heaviest equipment to ships or rail. The inland port of Neuss already has efficient terminals and extensive storage areas, but their suitability for military handling must be regularly reviewed and, if necessary, supplemented.
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What needs to be considered regarding the interplay between logistics, national operational plans and municipalities?
Experience in recent years shows that a country's resilience and competitiveness also depend on cooperation at all levels of government. Municipalities are not merely passive recipients of higher-level directives, but rather key players: they plan infrastructure projects, award construction contracts, operate ports, organize disaster relief, and ensure local supplies in times of crisis.
Coordination between the federal government, states and municipalities requires a rethink in several areas:
- Early integration of security policy requirements into the local planning of new buildings, for example by adjusting bridge loads or integrating shelters into public buildings.
- Expansion of information and cooperation initiatives: Municipal decision-makers are regularly trained, emergency plans are coordinated, and feedback loops regarding infrastructure deficiencies are introduced.
- Raising awareness of so-called "dual-use infrastructure": facilities that are used for civilian purposes in everyday life, but should be upgraded for military purposes in case of emergency.
The town hall in Neuss can serve as an example: a protective facility was planned right from the start under the new building – an indication that civil building planning is increasingly taking security policy dimensions into account.
What do current national and European defense guidelines say?
Both current German defense policy guidelines and European-level coordination by the European Defence Agency stipulate that all structures and processes must be geared towards robustness and the capability of national and collective defense. Infrastructure investments are considered essential for security policy, and regular risk analyses and reports on infrastructure availability are required. The federal government plans to provide an overview of the status of military priority lines at least every two years, and significant financial resources are earmarked for renovation and expansion.
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What challenges lie ahead in the coming years?
What remains for politics, administration and society to do to strengthen overall societal defense?
The challenges affect numerous levels:
- Rapid renovation and expansion of transport routes: In particular, bridges, road sections and railway lines must be reinforced for heavy loads and bottlenecks must be eliminated.
- Harmonisation of regulations in Europe: From approvals to permits, customs processes and safety requirements – bureaucracy reduction is needed everywhere.
- Strengthening research and response capabilities: Existing deficiencies must not only be identified but also quickly rectified. This requires efficient reporting channels and clear responsibilities.
- Sustainable investments: The financing of duplicate structures, reserve capacities and intelligent concepts must be recognized as a security investment.
- Revival of historical skills: The know-how of fortification troops, pioneer service groups and other technical support units is an essential component of a flexible, robust and ready-to-deploy society.
Ultimately, effective societal defense can only succeed if everyone participates: politicians, administrators, businesses, technical experts, volunteer organizations, and the public itself. Proven structures and new approaches must be combined and continuously developed.
The defense of Europe and Germany is no longer solely the responsibility of the armed forces. When roads, bridges, railways, digital networks, inland ports, and production chains function properly, they bolster our ability to act in crises and simultaneously safeguard peace in everyday life. In the face of new threats and long-standing weaknesses, the comprehensive involvement of all sectors of society is becoming a core task of the present and future. Historical experience provides guidance, while modern technologies and close cooperation open up new perspectives.
One thing is clear: defense begins on the street, on the platform, in the workplace, and on the ground. Only through joint thinking, planning, and action can Europe remain capable of defending itself – today and tomorrow.
Consulting - Planning - Implementation
Markus Becker
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Head of Business Development
Chairman SME Connect Defense Working Group
Consulting - Planning - Implementation
Konrad Wolfenstein
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You can contact me at wolfenstein∂xpert.digital or
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