Why logistics experts have to solve the vulnerability of German defense logistics
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Published on: July 9, 2025 / update from: July 9, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Why logistics experts have to solve the vulnerability of German defense logistics-Image: Xpert.digital
Higher line damaged, defense endangered: the rendsburg incident as a warning signal
Structural vulnerability: Why a military train paralyzed the German infrastructure
The incident of Rendsburg on July 6, 2025 reveals a fundamental problem of German defense logistics: a single American military train with an open tank hatch damaged the 15,000-volt overhead line and paralyzed the entire rail network in Schleswig-Holstein for hours. This apparently banal incident illustrates the structural vulnerability of the German traffic infrastructure, which has become a critical weak point of NATO logistics.
The rendsburg incident as a symptom of a major problem
On Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m., Owschlag near Rendsburg caused a leader damage caused by the open hatch of an American tank. The consequences were devastating: the regional express RE7 between Flensburg and Neumünster as well as the connections between Kiel and Husum were completely canceled. The traffic could not be resumed until 10:00 a.m., the complete repair was only carried out at 5:30 p.m.
An eyewitness documented the incident and observed how the tank hatch got dangerously close to the 15,000-volt lead. The federal police later confirmed that the open hatch was beaten against the overhead line and caused a drop in voltage. For security reasons, Deutsche Bahn did not comment on the details of the military transport.
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Structural deficits of the German rail infrastructure
Capacity bottlenecks for military transports
The reality of the German military transport capacities is terrifying: According to the former US General Ben Hodges, Germany only has capacities for the transport of one and a half armored brigades, while NATO plans require the simultaneous transport of eight to ten tank brigades. This drastic discrepancy between needs and availability makes Germany a logistical needle in the NATO strategy.
The current framework freight contract between the Bundeswehr and DB Cargo provides for the provision of 343 flat wagons and 300 wagons with locomotives for more than 1,300 military transports a year. With a contract volume of around 200 million euros for two years (2018-2025), it becomes clear what financial dimensions the military rail logistics has achieved.
Ailing infrastructure as a security risk
The German rail infrastructure is in a deplorable state. Only 61 percent of the German rail network are electrified, while dilapidated track systems, outdated soft and dilapidated bridges shape the picture. DB Cargo, the Deutsche Bahn freight daughter, writes deep red figures: a loss of 350 million euros is expected for 2024, and 5,000 jobs are to be mined by 2029.
The lead time for military transports is particularly problematic: While the NATO-Speerspitze (very high readiness Joint Task Force) should be ready for use within three to four days, Deutsche Bahn usually needs 36 days lead time for military transports. This discrepancy between military requirements and civil capacities illustrates the structural inadequacy of the system.
Dual-use logistics as a strategic solution approach
Definition and basic principles
Dual-use logistics describes the strategic use of infrastructures, systems and capacities for both civil and military purposes. In contrast to traditional dual-use goods that affect individual products, dual-use logistics extends to entire supply systems and transport networks. This double use enables synergies between civilian business interests and military defense requirements.
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Modular system architecture
Effective dual-use logistics is based on modular, standardized systems that can be used flexibly for different purposes. The successful demonstration of such skills in multinational exercises such as “Steadfast Defender 24” or “Quadriga” shows the practical potential of these approaches.
Advantages over traditional approaches
The dual-use logistics offers several crucial advantages:
- Economic efficiency: Double use of infrastructures can reduce costs and resources can be optimized. Instead of maintaining separate military and civil logistics systems, synergies are created.
- Increased resilience: the networking of civil and military capacities creates redundancies and increases the resilience against failures. If a system fails, other components can take over the function.
- Technological innovation: The integration of civil innovations into military systems accelerates technological progress. Modern logistics 4.0 concepts such as Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence and big data analytics can revolutionize military supply chains.
Why logistics experts are needed instead of bureaucrats
Complexity of modern military logistics
The military logistics 4.0 requires a fundamental reorientation of reactive to proactive, data -controlled approaches. This transformation can only be done by experts who understand both the technical requirements and the operational challenges.
- Networking and automation: Modern military operations require continuous connectivity and visibility of the supply chain. Dual-us logistics experts can meet these requirements with civilian technologies and standards.
- Multimodal transport concepts: The integration of various modes of transport (rail, street, waterway, air) requires specific specialist knowledge about the interfaces and optimization options.
Overcome bureaucratic obstacles
The current approval processes are a prime example of counterproductive bureaucracy: A transport of heavy military equipment from northern to southern Germany is already considered quickly if it is carried out within 30 days, since each affected state has to approve the transport. These regulations come from a time when military mobility was not time -critical.
- Harmonization of the procedures: The new agreement between the Bundeswehr and Autobahn GmbH from June 2025 creates uniform framework conditions for military transports for the first time. Similar approaches are necessary for the rail.
- Prioritization in an emergency: The framework freight contract with DB Cargo contains an “express surcharge” of 5.9 million euros, which generally grants the Bundeswehr priority over civilian traffic. This prioritization must be systematically expanded.
International perspective and NATO requirements
Germany as a logistical hub
Due to its central geographical location, Germany occupies a key position in NATO logistics. As a turnstile for military transport from the west coast to the eastern flank of Allianz, Germany is particularly responsible for the alliance defense.
- Multinational Railway Transport Services (MRTS): The MRTS project group develops cross-border rail traffic concepts for military purposes. The model corridor between Germany, the Netherlands and Poland shows how international cooperation can work.
- Standardization and interoperability: NATO logistics requires uniform standards and processes. Dual-use experts can harmonize these requirements with civilian industrial standards.
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Germany
Lessons from current conflicts
The Ukraine War has dramatically illustrated the importance of robust logistics infrastructure. Modern educational and active agents enable attacks on logistical high value goals from a long distance. The resilience of the infrastructure thus becomes a decisive factor.
Technological solutions
Digitization of the transport chains
The integration of Industry 4.0 concepts into military logistics enables completely new approaches:
- Predictive maintenance: With continuous monitoring, failures such as in Rendsburg can be avoided. Sensors of critical components warn of impending problems.
- Real -time optimization: Artificial intelligence can dynamically adjust transport routes and automatically activate alternative paths for disorders.
- Blockchain-based documentation: unchangeable log chains increase the transparency and safety of military transports.
Modular infrastructure concepts
Instead of rigid, specialized systems, Germany needs flexible, adaptable infrastructures:
- Standardized interfaces: Uniform loading devices enable the quick change between different transport modes.
- Mobile logistics centers: Layable depots can be set up quickly if necessary and used at different locations.
- Redundant capacities: Intelligent networking can compensate for failures of individual components.
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Financing models for dual-use infrastructure
Special funds for military mobility
The German Society for Foreign Policy (DGAP) calls for a special fund of 30 billion euros to target the targeted renewal of military corridors. This investment would pay for civilian purposes.
- Prioritarian routes: Main corridors between German ports and the eastern border must be upgraded for severe military transports.
- Bridge modernization: Many bridges are not designed for modern military vehicles and have to be reinforced or renewed.
Public-Private-partner-ship models
The funding of the dual-use infrastructure can be carried out by innovative partnerships between public hands and private companies:
- Risk distribution: Private investors take on construction and operation, while the public sector guarantees long -term acceptance contracts.
- Technology transfer: Private companies bring innovative solutions that can be used both militarily and civil.
Resilience and vulnerability of critical infrastructures
Threat analysis
The vulnerability of the German transport infrastructure goes far beyond technical defects:
- Cybersecurity risks: Digitized systems are susceptible to hacker attacks. The sabotage of light conductor cables in Herne and Berlin-Karow 2022 showed how easy critical infrastructures can be paralyzed.
- Climate change: Extreme weather events are increasingly affecting the traffic infrastructure. Heavy rain affects between 5 and 30 percent of federal highways annually.
- Terrorist threats: Critical infrastructures are attractive destinations for attacks.
Preventive measures
- Redundant systems: Dual-use infrastructures create natural redundancies. If military systems fail, civil alternatives can be used.
- Monitoring and early warning: Continuous monitoring enables quick reactions to threats.
- Adaptive capacities: Flexible systems can be converted quickly if necessary.
International Best Practices
Swiss model
Switzerland has set international standards with an electrification of almost 100 percent of the rail network and a systematic dual-use orientation of the infrastructure.
French approaches
France also uses its TGV network for military purposes and recognized early on that high-speed trains offer strategic advantages.
American experiences
The United States has a need to catch up on the railway electrification, but have extensive experience in military rail transport.
Implementation strategies
Short-term measures (0-2 years)
- Optimization of existing contracts: The expiring frame freight contract with DB Cargo must be negotiated and expanded.
- Standardization of procedures: Uniform approval procedures for all federal states are essential.
- Building teams: dual-use logistics specialists must be recruited and trained.
Medium-term goals (2-5 years)
- Infrastructure moderation: Critical sections of the route must be upgraded for military requirements.
- Digital transformation: Intelligent transport management systems must be implemented.
- International networking: Cooperation with European partners must be intensified.
Long-term vision (5-10 years)
- Complete dual-use integration: civil and military logistics systems merge into a uniform, efficient network.
- Technological leadership: Germany becomes a European model for dual-use logistics.
- Strategic autonomy: reduction in dependence on individual providers and systems.
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The way to the resilient defense logistics
The Rendsburg incident on July 6, 2025 was more than just a technical defect-it was a wake-up call for German security policy. The structural vulnerability of the German rail infrastructure endangers not only national defense ability, but also the NATO alliance solidarity.
- Paradigm shift required: Germany must pass from the previous waste of waste to a strategically well thought -out, modular approach. The dual-use logistics offers the key to this transformation.
- Expertise instead of bureaucracy: Only experts with profound understanding of civil and military logistics can solve the complex challenges. Bureaucratic obstacles must be systematically broken down.
- Investment in the future: The required 30 billion euros for infrastructure moderation is not an issue, but an investment in the safety and future viability of Germany.
The time for half -hearted measures is over. Germany needs a new generation of dual-use logistics experts who understand that modern defense cannot be mastered with the way of thinking of the 20th century. Only through the intelligent networking of civil and military capacities can Germany live up to its role as a logistical hub of NATO and at the same time increase its economic performance.
The Rendsburg incident showed how fragile our infrastructure is. Now it is up to us to pull the right teachings and set the course for a resilient future. Dual-use logistics is not just an option-it is a necessity for the security of Germany and Europe.
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Advice - planning - implementation
Konrad Wolfenstein
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