Billions in synergies for Europe – The end of separation: How “Dual-Use Rapid Deployment” is transforming our infrastructure

The new architecture of mobility: Why safety and efficiency are becoming inseparable.

In an era characterized by geopolitical volatility, fragile supply chains, and the need for rapid response capabilities, European logistics is facing perhaps its greatest paradigm shift. For decades, civilian efficiency and military mobility were considered two separate worlds with differing objectives, budgets, and infrastructures. While companies optimized for just-in-time efficiency and lean cost structures, defense logistics often existed in isolation. However, in light of new threat landscapes and the lessons learned from global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, this strict separation is increasingly proving to be a strategic dead end and a waste of economic resources.

The answer to this challenge is "Dual-Use Rapid Deployment." This concept describes far more than just the military use of civilian roads; it is the design of a fully integrated infrastructure strategy. It involves building transportation routes, digital networks, and transshipment hubs that are designed from the ground up to maximize trade efficiency in peacetime, but can be seamlessly and without delay used for emergency and troop transport in times of crisis.

When a railway line is upgraded for heavy military transport, civilian heavy goods traffic also benefits. When digital platforms offer military-grade tracking precision, the civilian supply chain gains transparency. The vision is an infrastructure that no longer distinguishes between "economy" and "security," but rather strengthens both through intelligent dual-use capabilities and rapid deployment. The following text examines how this transformation is intended to secure Europe's competitiveness, the role digitalization plays in this, and why logistics experts see it not as militarization, but as a necessary business model for the future.

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Overcoming separate thinking: From two logistics worlds to an integrated strategy architecture

European logistics is at a crucial turning point. Decades of strict separation between civilian transport networks and military mobility systems have led to a paradoxical situation: While companies struggle with increasing demands for supply chain resilience and defense agencies must modernize their infrastructure, these two worlds exist virtually independently. This artificial separation, however, is no longer sustainable. It leads to wasted resources, suboptimal investments, and limited capacity to meet critical challenges.

The concept of dual-use rapid deployment represents a paradigmatic break with this historical logic of separation. It treats the issues of civilian logistics efficiency and military operational capability not as competing requirements, but as two facets of a holistic infrastructure strategy that enables mutual reinforcement and the exploitation of synergies. This entails a fundamental rethinking of how capital investment, standardization, and operational excellence can flow into the European transport sector.

Dual Use: The classic understanding and its logistical extension

The traditional understanding of dual-use primarily focuses on goods, technologies, and materials that can be used for both peaceful civilian and military purposes. Microchips, advanced sensors, aerospace components, and specialized software solutions fall into this category. The European Union strictly regulates such goods through the Dual-Use Regulation and a differentiated system of export controls, due to the risk that sensitive technologies could fall into the wrong hands.

However, in logistics, the dual-use concept extends far beyond individual goods. It encompasses the entire infrastructure architecture: railway lines, motorway junctions, ports, transshipment terminals, storage facilities, and digital communication systems. A bridge designed for heavy military transport can simultaneously be used for civilian freight traffic. A port terminal that efficiently handles container ships for logistical purposes can be quickly converted for the relocation of military equipment in crisis situations. A modern, digital logistics network that manages the flow of civilian goods can make its infrastructure and data available for coordinating emergency transports.

The essence of dual-use logistics infrastructure lies in the fact that civilian and military requirements are considered as integrated design criteria from the outset – not as an afterthought, but as a fundamental planning principle. This results in infrastructures that are standardized, modularly expandable, and operationally flexible systems. Such infrastructure primarily fulfills civilian functions during normal operation, thus contributing to economic efficiency. In a crisis or when defense requirements arise, the same infrastructure can be rapidly converted to military use without requiring massive additional investments or lengthy modifications.

Rapid Deployment: From Theory to Operational Reality

In modern military practice, the concept of rapid deployment refers to the ability to move forces, materiel, and equipment to a deployment location within hours or a few days. NATO and the European Union have recognized this as a strategic priority. With its Rapid Deployment Capacity, the European Union has designed a rapid reaction force of up to 5,000 troops, intended to respond quickly to a wide range of crisis scenarios. Similarly, NATO member states have developed the new Force Model, which obligates Germany, for example, to be able to mobilize approximately 30,000 troops and extensive equipment within 30 days and deploy them to its eastern border.

Rapid deployment, however, is not primarily a question of the readiness of soldiers or the availability of equipment. The critical bottleneck lies rather in transport logistics and supporting infrastructure. A soldier who cannot reach the deployment location is useless. Equipment that remains in warehouses due to a lack of transport capacity serves no strategic purpose. Logistics is the crucial enabler of military mobility.

This applies not only to military scenarios. In times of increasing geopolitical volatility, pandemic risks, and natural disasters, the civilian sector is also faced with demands for rapid response capabilities. A flood that displaces thousands of people requires the swift provision of emergency shelters, food, and medical supplies. A pandemic, as COVID-19 demonstrated, requires the rapid redirection of transport capacities to deliver life-saving materials to their critical points of use. When international conflicts threaten the availability of raw materials or intermediate goods, companies need the ability to reorganize their supply chains at short notice and mobilize alternative routes.

From today's perspective, the classic concept of rapid deployment is too narrow. It focuses too heavily on speed in military contexts. A broader understanding of rapid deployment, on the other hand, encompasses the systematic capacity to respond quickly, in a coordinated manner, and efficiently to disruptions or emergencies, even in the civilian sector. Such a capability is both a survival mechanism and a competitive advantage for the European economy.

The perspective of dual-use logistics experts: Synthesis as a business model

Logistics experts specializing in dual-use concepts see the combination of dual use and rapid deployment as the crucial perspective for the future of European transport infrastructure. For these experts, this synthesis is not primarily a matter of defense, but rather a question of efficiency and resilience with immediate economic implications.

The central argument is as follows: Europe's transport infrastructure is outdated, fragmented, and underutilized in many areas. Massive investments are needed to improve quality, increase interoperability between national systems, and advance digital connectivity. These investments are expensive and are often not undertaken by economic actors alone. The state, for its part, traditionally has less capital for infrastructure investments when it comes to purely civilian improvements.

However, priorities shift in times of security challenges and military requirements. When infrastructure is recognized as critical to national defense capabilities, investment funds become available. Germany and the EU have recognized this and are planning massive investments in upgrading transport infrastructure with a view to military mobility. For example, Germany's €500 billion modernization fund allocates 1.5 percent of its funds to dual-use infrastructure.

The key, from the perspective of logistics experts, is to structure these defense-motivated investments in such a way that they simultaneously lead to a massive modernization and increase in the efficiency of civilian logistics. A bridge upgraded to higher military load classes also enables the transport of heavier civilian goods, which in turn reduces the number of transport journeys, improves load utilization, and thus lowers costs. A modern transshipment terminal equipped according to dual-use principles, capable of quickly switching between civilian containerized goods and military equipment, will be operated more efficiently and utilized at a higher capacity than a terminal traditionally used exclusively for civilian purposes.

The synergy effects are considerable. A study on cooperation between civilian and military infrastructure shows that only the shared use of both sectors leads to synergy effects that translate into greater efficiency in service provision and stimulate the further development of technical infrastructure. When military research and development increases production volumes, unit costs decrease, which in turn frees up additional funds for further research. This multiplier effect also applies to infrastructure.

A concrete example illustrates this mechanism: Germany needs a modern military rail network with high capacity, redundancy, and digital integration for NATO's Rapid Deployment Capacity and the new Force Model. The German Armed Forces have already concluded contracts with DB Cargo for this purpose, which include reserved transport capacity and modern technology. But these very same modern rail lines, these digital coordination systems, and these optimized transshipment points are also valuable for civilian freight transport. They reduce logistics costs for German industry, improve supply chain resilience, and strengthen international competitiveness.

From the perspective of logistics experts, this is not a diversion of civilian resources for military purposes, but rather a smart investment model where both sides win. The defense sector gains the necessary capabilities for rapid mobilization. The civilian economy receives a modernized, more resilient, and more efficient infrastructure, which enhances its international competitiveness.

The infrastructural dimension: Multimodal hubs and their transformation

The practical implementation of Dual Use Rapid Deployment focuses on the creation and transformation of multifunctional logistics hubs. These are not specialized military or civilian facilities, but hybrid systems that can flexibly switch between different usage scenarios.

The European Union's TEN-T network, comprising nine trans-European transport corridors, is now being deliberately designed as a multimodal, dual-use network. The European Commission has identified that 93 percent of the transport corridors required for military purposes overlap with those needed for the civilian single market and the transition to sustainability. This is no coincidence, but rather the result of both sides pursuing similar fundamental principles: connecting economic centers, linking production sites, and cross-border networking.

A modern dual-use terminal operates according to the following principles: It features standardized, modularly expandable infrastructure that can be quickly reconfigured for different uses. A container filled with electronic components during civilian operations can transport emergency supplies or military equipment in a crisis. The transshipment systems are designed to efficiently handle both long, specialized military trains with tank transporters and shorter, high-frequency civilian train services.

Digital systems play a central role in this. A unified digital platform that manages real-time data on inventory levels, transit times, capacity utilization, and traffic conditions enables optimal resource allocation in civilian operations. This same platform can switch to crisis mode in emergencies, prioritizing military and humanitarian transport without requiring massive new installations.

A concrete example is the PESCO project Military Mobility and the Network of Logistic Hubs, in which Germany plays a leading role. The aim is to establish a European logistics network for storing equipment, materials, and ammunition and preparing them for transport. However, these hubs are not exclusively military facilities. They are designed as civil-military nodes where civilian and military loading capacities coexist and operational processes are carried out jointly.

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The regulatory and standardization dimension: Creating interoperability

A key obstacle to rapid deployment capability is the fragmentation of standards and regulations across European borders. Each country has different approval processes for rail vehicles, different load-bearing capacity requirements for bridges, and different digital systems for customs clearance and permitting. This fragmentation leads to massive delays when military transports cross national borders.

A striking example illustrates the scale of the problem: Transporting military equipment from major EU ports in the west to NATO's eastern flank currently takes up to 45 days. Much of this delay is not due to technical limitations, but rather to bureaucratic hurdles, permitting processes, and navigating differing national regulations. In countries like Lithuania or Romania, it can take up to 45 days just to obtain approval for a convoy. This is unacceptable for military purposes and also represents a massive cost factor for civilian logistics.

Dual-use logistics experts emphasize that addressing these regulatory inefficiencies is of paramount benefit to all stakeholders. Harmonizing rail transport permits at the EU level—a single European licensing law instead of 27 national processes—would not only enable faster military transport but also significantly accelerate and reduce the cost of civilian rail transport.

The new EU initiatives for creating military corridors, standardized procedures for cross-border transport, digital systems for coordination, and harmonized load class requirements address precisely these problems. The positive aspect from a logistics perspective is that these measures are not esoteric military considerations, but rather follow logical principles of efficiency improvement that directly benefit the civilian economy.

The standardization of transshipment systems in combined transport – the integration of rail, road, and, where applicable, water – is another key issue. Modern swap bodies and standardized transshipment techniques enable cargo to be transferred quickly and without repacking between different modes of transport. This reduces transit times, minimizes the risk of breakage, and significantly lowers costs. This is particularly valuable for military transport, as standardized containers can be combined into predefined configurations, allowing for the rapid establishment of logistics chains.

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The security dimension: From crisis prevention to operational crisis resilience

An often overlooked element of the dual-use logistics perspective is its importance for crisis prevention and resilience stabilization. A modern, rapidly deployable logistics infrastructure with high responsiveness not only contributes to military deterrence by enabling rapid troop movements, but also serves to mitigate civilian risks during disasters and pandemics.

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that insufficient logistics capacity and coordination deficiencies led to critical supply shortages. Countries that were able to quickly mobilize and coordinate their logistics resources fared better in combating the pandemic than those that relied on fragmented, undersized systems. Infrastructure designed from the ground up for rapid response enables the swift transport of supplies to crisis zones in the event of a disaster.

Research projects like AKRIMA (Automatic Adaptive Crisis Monitoring and Management System) demonstrate that integrating AI-supported monitoring with pre-positioned warehouses, flexible transport capacities, and coordinated distribution networks significantly increases crisis management effectiveness. Such systems can precisely calculate which goods, in what volume, need to be transported to which location and implement this with minimal delay.

Economic rationality: Cost efficiency through multiple uses

The central economic rationale behind Dual Use Rapid Deployment is the principle of maximizing utilization while minimizing capital costs. Infrastructure investments are highly capital-intensive. A bridge operating at 60 percent capacity is economically inefficient. A transshipment terminal that is underutilized for half the year generates poor returns.

The dual-use concept addresses precisely this problem. A bridge that utilizes 60 percent of its capacity in civilian operations can increase its utilization by making it available for military or emergency transport. A terminal that normally handles specialized container cargo can make its capacity available for supplies during emergencies. This improves overall utilization and thus increases the profitability of the infrastructure.

At the same time, a hybrid system allows for better risk distribution. A purely military depot incurs opportunity costs in peacetime when it is idle. A purely civilian terminal bears the risk of capacity bottlenecks and outages in crisis situations. A system that integrates both types of use distributes these risks and opportunity costs more effectively.

From an economic perspective, this becomes particularly relevant when considering strategic reserve capacities. Countries like the USA or Singapore deliberately maintain excess capacity in their logistics systems to react quickly to disruptions. This costs money during normal operations, but creates resilience. A dual-use structure makes it possible to utilize this reserve capacity for both civilian and military purposes, thereby reducing the opportunity cost factor.

Modular system architecture: From rigid to adaptive infrastructure

Modern logistics is increasingly oriented towards modular system architectures. Complex systems are not designed as monolithic units, but rather as bundles of standardized modules that can be combined, expanded, or reconfigured.

This offers significant advantages for dual-use rapid deployment. A modular container system that combines office infrastructure, storage capacity, power supply, and communication systems can normally serve as a decentralized logistics center, but in a crisis, it can be reconfigured within hours into a mobile emergency command center or troop accommodation. The investment is the same, but the potential uses are manifold.

Rapidly assembled containers, which can be set up in less than an hour, enable temporary logistics capacity to be made available with minimal delay. A high-bay warehouse system with a modular architecture can be quickly reconfigured between different storage types – from room temperature to specialized refrigerated or frozen storage rooms, such as those required for pharmaceuticals or vaccines.

This flexibility is not only technically interesting but also economically significant. It reduces the need for specialized constructions and custom-made products, resulting in massive cost savings. It also allows investments in logistics infrastructure to be designed for multiple use cases rather than being limited to a single purpose.

The data dimension: Transparency as an enabler for fast decision-making

An often underestimated aspect of rapid deployment is the role of data and digital transparency. Quick decisions are only possible when complete, up-to-date information about the situation is available. A system that doesn't know where resources are available, how long transit times are, or where bottlenecks are causing delays cannot react quickly.

Modern dual-use logistics concepts integrate real-time data collection and analysis throughout the entire process. IoT sensors on vehicles and in warehouses provide continuous data on locations, inventory, and operating conditions. Artificial intelligence systems analyze this data to identify optimization opportunities, predict potential bottlenecks, and suggest automated adjustments. Blockchain-based systems ensure that critical data is immutably documented and accessible to all relevant stakeholders.

This is particularly relevant for military-civilian cooperation. A shared data platform enables the military, civilian authorities, and private logistics companies to operate with the same information. Under normal circumstances, civilian companies can optimize their logistics processes and benefit from military planning data. In a crisis, the military and authorities can access civilian logistics data to mobilize forces and supplies more quickly.

Creating such shared data infrastructures is not trivial and requires standardization, but also a high degree of trust and coordination between public and private actors. Countries like Germany are working on such systems within the framework of initiatives such as Civil Alarm Planning and Civil-Military Cooperation 4.0.

The international coordination dimension: NATO and EU as coordinators

Dual-Use Rapid Deployment is not a single national project, but a European, indeed essentially a transatlantic, undertaking. NATO and the European Union act as coordinators and standard-setters.

NATO has initiated one of the most ambitious logistical modernization programs with its new Force Model and Rapid Deployment Commitment. Germany, as the central hub, is intended to be capable of coordinating and supporting large-scale troop movements. In parallel, the EU has advanced infrastructure coordination with its Action Plan on Military Mobility and the new TEN-T regulations.

Coordination is so important because logistics only works if all links in the chain are consistent. A modern terminal is useless if the connecting rail lines or roads are not built to the same standards. A fast airport is ineffective if the roads leading to the terminal are dilapidated.

European coordination ensures that investments are complementary, standards are harmonized, and resources are used efficiently. This benefits both military mobility and civilian logistics.

Critical success factors and challenges

The practical implementation of dual-use rapid deployment is not without its challenges. Several critical factors determine success or failure:

First, there's the financial prioritization. The necessary investments are substantial. Germany alone is planning billions in investments in dual-use infrastructure. These funds must be made available, coordinated across all levels of government, and consistently allocated over several years. Political continuity is essential, even when governments change.

Secondly, regulatory harmonization. National silos and peculiarities must be broken down. European standards are needed for load classes, digital systems, and approval procedures. This is politically difficult, as countries are often reluctant to relinquish nationally acquired expertise and regulations.

Thirdly, cyber resilience. Modern, digitally networked logistics systems are exposed to potential attack targets. A cyberattack on a central coordination system could paralyze the entire logistics chain. Massive investments in cybersecurity, redundancies, and decentralized backup systems are needed.

Fourthly, public-private partnership. Dual-use infrastructure cannot be built and operated solely by the state. Private logistics companies, railway and port operators, and transport firms must be integrated. This requires long-term partnerships, clear compensation models, and mutual trust.

Scenarios: How Dual Use Rapid Deployment is shaping the future

The concept of Dual Use Rapid Deployment will manifest itself in various scenarios in the coming years:

In the base-case scenario, European infrastructure will be modernized in stages. Bridges will be strengthened, railway lines expanded, and terminals enlarged and digitized. These works will be spread over several years and will run in parallel under the banner of the civilian transport transition and military modernization. Efficiency gains in the civilian sector will be gradual but sustainable. Logistics costs will decrease by 5-10 percent, and supply chain resilience will improve significantly. The military's ability to rapidly deploy troops will be ensured.

In the optimistic scenario, implementation is accelerated, perhaps due to geopolitical tensions that shift investment priorities. Rapid successes are achieved, standards are harmonized at the EU level, and national regulations are standardized. Efficiency gains are substantial, potentially resulting in 15-20 percent cost reductions in logistics. European companies gain a significant competitive advantage over global supply chains. Military-level speed is achievable in 5-7 days instead of the current 15-20 days.

In the pessimistic scenario, delays, conflicts between member states, budgetary constraints, and technical setbacks occur. National aspirations for autonomy block standards, and private investment stagnates due to uncertainty. Progress is minimal, and objectives are not met. Military mobility remains a weak link in European deterrence, and civilian logistics remain inefficient.

The logic of a new infrastructure era

Dual-use rapid deployment is far more than a military-political concept. It is the solution to a fundamental infrastructure problem that weakens Europe's economic performance and limits its defense capabilities. The artificial separation between civilian and military logistics leads to suboptimal investments, inefficient resource utilization, and unnecessarily high costs.

From the perspective of logistics experts, the rationale behind the concept lies in maximizing synergies. Necessary investments are sized and structured to empower both sides – civilian and military. Standards are harmonized, modular systems are established, and digital transparency is created. The result is an infrastructure that operates at a higher capacity, is more cost-effective and efficient under normal circumstances, and can be rapidly mobilized in emergency situations.

This is not a luxury, but a strategic necessity. The European economy needs resilient, rapid logistics to survive in an increasingly volatile and competitive global market. European defense capabilities need rapidly mobilizable infrastructure to maintain strategic credibility. Thinking about and building both together is the core of Dual Use Rapid Deployment.

Implementation will take years and require massive investment. It will face challenges in coordination, regulation, and cybersecurity. But the alternative—continuing with separate, inefficient systems—is economically and politically unsustainable. Europe is at a turning point. The decisions made in the next two to three years will shape the infrastructure architecture for decades to come. Dual-use rapid deployment is the right concept at the right time.

Markus Becker

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Chairman SME Connect Defense Working Group

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Konrad Wolfenstein

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The global economy is currently experiencing a fundamental change, a broken epoch that shakes the cornerstones of global logistics. The era of hyper-globalization, which was characterized by the unshakable striving for maximum efficiency and the “just-in-time” principle, gives way to a new reality. This is characterized by profound structural breaks, geopolitical shifts and progressive economic political fragmentation. The planning of international markets and supply chains, which was once assumed as a matter of course, dissolves and is replaced by a phase of growing uncertainty.

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