The foundation of modern defense: Whole-of-society defense, infrastructure and logistics – rethinking resilience
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Published on: August 2, 2025 / Updated on: August 2, 2025 – Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
We must think differently: Infrastructure, logistics and societal defense – Image: Xpert.Digital
What is the defense of society as a whole about today?
What does defense of society as a whole mean in the context of Europe and why is a rethink necessary?
The terms "society-wide" or "comprehensive defense" describe an approach that does not exclusively involve the military in the defense strategy of a country or alliance. Rather, civil society, businesses, administration, infrastructure operators, and municipalities should also work together when threats such as military attacks, hybrid operations, or systemic crises arise. The growing security uncertainties, triggered, for example, by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, make it clear: defense is not the responsibility of a specific sector, but requires the efforts of all. The days when crises or threats could be delegated "to the specialists" are over. Infrastructure, logistics, and the economy ensure not only prosperity, but also freedom and security. The need for a rethink arises from the experience that infrastructure was viewed and optimized for purely economic reasons for years. However, the ability to enable defense through rapid deployments, security of supply, and resilient structures has become a fundamental state task.
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What role does industry play in the defense of society as a whole?
Industrial companies assume numerous functions that go beyond traditional civil protection. They provide products and services for both military and civilian needs, such as energy supply, IT services, vehicle maintenance, and food production. Critical infrastructures, production chains, and transport logistics are closely intertwined with industrial actors. As part of the defense of society as a whole, industry is expected to respond flexibly to crises, redirect production capacities, and cooperate with authorities – for example, to maintain supply chains, quickly repair infrastructure, or provide specialized vehicles for military transport. At the same time, industry benefits from government support, investments in resilience, and a clear legal framework. All of this requires a culture of security and cooperation in which industrial partners are involved at an early stage, exercises are conducted regularly, and interfaces with government crisis management are clear.
Why do we need to think about new approaches 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 civil, economic, and urban planning criteria. Security policy considerations faded 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 light trucks represents a bottleneck for military movements in a crisis – especially for heavy battle tanks and modern military transport vehicles, which usually weigh much more than current standards allow. This also applies to tunnels, railway lines, loading facilities, and container terminals. A change in thinking is needed here: Infrastructure should be designed so that it can also be used for military needs without compromising its civilian function. This means higher load limits, more flexible use, and appropriate provisions (such as retractable bridge bases or special ramps).
Another rethinking involves incorporating security policy aspects into tenders and construction planning: ships, trains, ports, even new public buildings can be designed to provide rapid protection in an emergency or to be converted ad hoc (e.g. as shelters, command posts, distribution centers).
What is “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 be able to move military vehicles, troops, and equipment across Europe at any time and as unhindered as possible, analogous to the free movement of goods and people. Today, national regulations, bureaucratic hurdles, and unharmonized rules often lead to military transports being stopped at national borders. Lengthy approval processes, customs formalities, and technical restrictions delay transit and significantly complicate defense operations.
A "Military Schengen" would significantly simplify border crossings for military transport through common standards, pre-approved corridors, and digitalized 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 predictability becomes apparent.
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What progress has been made in the field of military mobility in Europe?
Since 2018, 26 EU member states have been pursuing the major "Military Mobility" project within the framework of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). The goal is to drastically improve the freedom of movement of military forces within the EU. Common rules and procedures, the harmonization of transport 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, centralized clearing points for permits, and the introduction of a digital registration system. Many permitting procedures have already been simplified or standardized; initial trial runs along selected corridors are planned for 2025. In the long term, however, complete harmonization and upgrading of the infrastructure remains a major challenge.
Germany, in particular, plays a key role as Europe's geographical hub, as the majority of all east-west transport must cross the country. NATO's Joint Support and Enabling Command and the Bundeswehr's Multinational Command for Operational Command are stationed in Ulm – They coordinate the preparation and monitoring of the corridors, support communications and transport structures, and strive for seamless international cooperation.
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What is still missing to achieve military mobility?
What hurdles remain to cross-border military mobility?
Although legal bases and uniform 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 large transports. Some are dilapidated or simply not strong enough. Inevitably, transports often have to take long detours.
- Different technical regulations, especially regarding rail loading and vehicle dimensions, lead to problems.
- Bureaucratic processes that still require numerous approvals and accompanying documents cause time losses.
- Communication and cooperation between the nations involved can be improved – especially in matters of secrecy or short-term ad hoc situations.
Significant infrastructure investments are lacking to upgrade all corridors as planned. In Germany alone, at least €30 billion in special funds are proposed to carry out urgently needed rehabilitation work on roads, bridges, and railway lines. The first test runs are intended to demonstrate how practical the newly created corridors already are and where further improvements are needed.
Hub for security and defense – advice and information
Hub for security and defense – Image: Xpert.digital
The hub for security and defense offers well-founded advice and current information in order to effectively support companies and organizations in strengthening their role in European security and defense policy. In close connection to the SME Connect working group, he promotes small and medium -sized companies (SMEs) in particular that want to further expand their innovative strength and competitiveness in the field of defense. As a central point of contact, the hub creates a decisive bridge between SME and European defense 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 wall master troops becoming relevant again?
Wallmeistertruppe (Wallmaster troops) were units within the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) responsible for constructing and maintaining barriers, field fortifications, and specially prepared infrastructure during the Cold War. Their duties included marking bridges and roads to determine their load-bearing capacity, installing blast chambers in bridges, establishing exclusion zones, and providing material for rapid infrastructure conversion or destruction in the event of a defense emergency. Such markings enabled troops to use the transport routes safely, prevented congestion, and provided information on any precautionary measures that might be required.
With the end of the Cold War and adjustments to defense doctrine, the bridge maintenance structures were significantly scaled back or dissolved. Today, however, it is clear that certain elements of this approach are once again in demand: Information on the load-bearing capacity of bridges is often lacking, special devices for military use are rare, and the ability to repurpose infrastructure when needed is spread across a wide variety of departments. Expert groups propose re-bundling central technical competencies – for example, through specialized teams for military-relevant infrastructure tasks. This would increase the ability to keep roads and bridges usable for heavy transport, quickly erect temporary barriers or replacement structures, and implement special 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. However, in times of crisis or defense, they can play a crucial role, provided the existing infrastructure is also designed for heavy military vehicles.
While many ports today have ramps and cranes for trucks and cars, they often lack the equipment for loading battle tanks or armored vehicles. Military loading equipment, reinforced slipways, or heavy-duty cranes are far from standard everywhere. Therefore, it is necessary to upgrade existing facilities for military emergencies: For example, extendable ramps, mobile bridges, or additional lifting equipment could be provided to ensure the rapid and secure 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 expanded if necessary.
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What needs to be considered regarding the interaction between logistics, national operational plans and local authorities?
Experiences of recent years show that a country's resilience and competitiveness also depend on cooperation between all federal levels. Municipalities are not merely passive recipients of higher-level instructions, but important actors: They plan infrastructure projects, award construction contracts, operate ports, organize disaster protection, and ensure local supplies in the event of a crisis.
Coordination between the federal government, states and municipalities requires a rethink in several areas:
- Early integration of safety policy requirements into the local planning of new buildings, for example by adapting bridge loads or integrating shelters in public buildings.
- Expansion of information and cooperation initiatives: Local decision-makers are regularly trained, emergency plans are coordinated, and feedback loops on 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 an emergency.
The town hall in Neuss can serve as an example: a protective structure was planned underneath the new building – an indication that civil building planning is also increasingly taking security policy dimensions into account.
What do current national and European defense guidelines say?
Both the current German Defense Policy Guidelines and the European Defense Agency, coordinated at the European level, stipulate that all structures and processes must be geared toward robustness and enabling national and alliance defense. Infrastructure investments are considered necessary 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 the military priority lines at least every two years, and significant funding is earmarked for renovation and expansion.
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What challenges exist for the coming years?
What remains for politics, administration and society to do to strengthen the defense of society as a whole?
The challenges affect numerous levels:
- Rapid rehabilitation and expansion of transport routes: In particular, bridges, road sections and railway lines must be upgraded to carry heavy loads and bottlenecks must be eliminated.
- Harmonization of regulations in Europe: From approvals to permits, customs processes and security requirements – bureaucracy reduction is necessary everywhere.
- Strengthening research and response capacity: Existing deficiencies must not only be identified but also remedied quickly. This requires efficient reporting channels and accountability.
- Sustainable investments: Financing duplicate structures, reserve capacities and smart concepts must be recognized as a security investment.
- Revitalization of historical skills: The know-how of wall master troops, pioneer service groups, and other technical support organizations is an essential component of a flexible, robust, and operationally ready society.
Ultimately, defense across society will only succeed if everyone participates: politicians, administrators, businesses, technical experts, volunteer organizations, and the population itself. Tried-and-tested structures and new approaches must be combined and continually developed further.
The defense of Europe and Germany is no longer the sole responsibility of the armed forces. When roads, bridges, railway lines, digital networks, inland ports, and production chains function, they support the ability to act in crises while simultaneously ensuring peace in everyday life. In the face of new threats and long-standing weaknesses, the comprehensive integration 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 streets, on the platform, in the workplace, and on the ground. Only with joint thinking, planning, and action will Europe remain capable of defense – today and tomorrow.
Advice – planning – implementation
Markus Becker
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Head of Business Development
Chairman SME Connect Defense Working Group
Advice – planning – implementation
Konrad Wolfenstein
I would be happy to serve as your personal advisor.
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call me under +49 89 674 804 (Munich)
