Published on: May 8, 2025 / update from: May 8, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
The “Military Mobility” concept and REARM Europe: Strategies to strengthen European defense-creative image: Xpert.digital
Europe's strategic autonomy: Military Mobility and REARM Europe in focus
European security policy: two groundbreaking initiatives
In the face of growing geopolitical challenges, the European Union has developed two significant initiatives: the “Military Mobility” concept and the REAR European plan. Both programs are decisive building blocks for improving European defense ability and reflecting on the security policy orientation of the EU. These initiatives have become more important since the Russian attack war against Ukraine and aim to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy.
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Military Mobility: Basics and Development
Military Mobility describes the goal of ensuring the rapid and seamless movement of military personnel, material and military means inside and outside the EU. This concept includes the simplification, standardization and acceleration of procedures as well as the modernization of transport infrastructure in order to be able to lay troops and material across borders faster.
The EU initiative was started as one of the first projects as part of the constant structured cooperation (PESCO). The project, which is under the coordination of the Netherlands, supports the commitment of the member states to simplify and standardize cross -border military transport proceedings.
Action plans and implementation
Following a first EU campaign plan for military mobility in 2018, the Commission and the High Representative and Vice President published a second Action Plan on Military Mobility (Action Plan 2.0) on November 10, 2022, which extends to the period 2022-2026. The action plan 2.0 builds on the success of the first action plan and contains 38 measures: 29 measures at EU level and nine that are directed to the Member States.
Military mobility received special importance in view of the War of Russia against Ukraine and the problems with which the forces are confronted in the EU. The strategic compass for security and defense, which the European Council approved in March 2022, included the goal of the Member States to “agree an ambitious revised action plan” in order to take “new obligations” into account “with the aim of significantly improving military mobility and considerably investing in them”.
Participants and cooperation
Almost all EU member states as well as Canada, Norway and the United States participate in the military mobility project. The participants include Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary and Cyprus.
The project is also an example of the importance of EU Nato cooperation that is already working well here. Cooperation between the two organizations is an essential aspect of the initiative.
Concrete measures and projects
The European Commission supports military mobility projects with considerable financial means. With the three tenders in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the amount of 1.69 billion euros intended for Military Mobility as part of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) 2021-2027 was exhausted. A total of 95 projects in 21 member states of the European Union are supported with 1.74 billion euros.
A concrete example is the latest financing of 38 additional military mobility projects with a budget of 807 million euros. These projects are intended to upgrade important transport infrastructures in the EU so that they enable double use - both for civil and defense transport.
Germany, the Netherlands and Poland have also announced the establishment of a cross -border model corridor for military traffic from west to the east. Germany is also involved in the PESCO project “Network of Loghubs”, which aims to set up a European logistics network to store equipment, material and ammunition and prepare for transport.
Challenges in implementation
The transport of military personnel and materials across borders also requires approval process within the European Union and the Schengen area. Due to the applicable legal situation and differently regulated responsibilities, cross -border transports are complex and time -consuming. The practical implementation of the project requires the answer to a whole range of complex, often legal questions, and its harmonization between the participating states.
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REARM Europe: Europe's answer to changed security requirements
Development and strategic orientation
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the EU heads of state and government before the extraordinary meeting of the European Council in March 2025, outlining the “Rearm Europe” plan. From the Leyen the urgency of the situation emphasized: "We live in the most significant and dangerous time. I don't have to discuss how serious the threats we face."
The REARM Europe-Plan represents an ambitious initiative to strengthen European defense ability and reduce strategic dependencies in the long term. The aim is to close structural gaps and strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy in order to reduce the dependence on external security guarantees.
Financial mechanisms and instruments
With “REARM Europe”, the EU Commission President presented an initiative to mobilize up to 800 billion euros for the expansion and modernization of European defense. This sum is made up of different components:
1. The activation of the alternative clause in the stability and growth pact allows EU member states to accept debts without being exposed to deficit procedures. In the long term, at least 1.5% of GDP should flow into the defense sector, which could mean up to 650 billion euros in additional funds within four years.
2. A central element is a new, earmarked financial instrument called “Security Action for Europe” (Safe), which is to be equipped with up to 150 billion euros. Safe will support the European defense industry with joint procurement in which at least two countries must be involved.
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The White Paper for European Defense
The European Commission published the “White Paper for European Defense- Readiness 2030” on March 19, 2025 in cooperation with the high representative of foreign and security policy. The White Paper forms the framework for the REARM Europe Initiative and outlines the necessary measures for the reworking of Europe and to build up a strong and competitive defense industrial grain.
The White Paper identifies seven critical ability gaps in the armed forces of the Member States: (i) Air and rocket defense; (ii) artillery; (iii) ammunition; (IV) drones and anti-drone systems; (v) Infrastructure to support military mobility; (VI) Artificial intelligence and electronic warfare; and (VII) “strategic capable” such as strategic air transport and tanker.
Connection between Military Mobility and REARM Europe
The infrastructure to support military mobility is explicitly identified in the White Paper as one of the critical gaps in ability to conclude by the REAR Europe plan. This underlines the close connection between the two initiatives and shows that Military Mobility is considered an integral part of the more comprehensive European defense strategy.
The White Paper suggests solutions to improve military mobility, supply and border security, especially along the eastern limits of the EU. It also emphasizes the need for deeper integration with the Ukraine defense sector and underlines Europe's commitment to long -term security support.
Connection and synergies of both initiatives
The close connection between Military Mobility and Reaear Europe is shown in several aspects. Both initiatives aim to strengthen European defense ability and to promote strategic autonomy. Military Mobility focuses on the operational aspects of the troop movement and logistics, while Reamb pursues a more comprehensive approach to strengthening the European defense industry and capacities.
The infrastructure projects carried out as part of Military Mobility could receive additional support from the financial mechanisms of the Rearm Europe Plan. This would further reinforce the synergies between the two initiatives.
Common strategic goals
Both initiatives reflect the increasing awareness of the need for stronger European responsibility in the field of defense. They are an expression of the EU endeavor to strengthen their strategic autonomy and at the same time deepen cooperation with NATO.
Military mobility and the REARM Europe Plan are complementary elements of a more comprehensive strategy to strengthen European security architecture. While Military Mobility creates the surgical foundations for quick and efficient troop movements, REAR Europe provides financial and industrial means to close the identified skill gaps.
Between challenge and chance: the EU on the way to strategic independence
The Military Mobility Concept and the REAR Europe plan represent significant steps in the development of a more coherent and more powerful European defense policy. Both initiatives are an expression of the growing consciousness for the need to strengthen the EU's defense skills and to take more responsibility for one's own security.
The successful implementation of both initiatives will significantly depend on the extent to which the EU member states are willing to overcome their national interests in favor of a common European approach in defense policy. The coordination between the various actors, the harmonization of the legal framework and the provision of sufficient financial resources will be decisive factors.
In view of the current geopolitical challenges, in particular the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, these initiatives have gained a special urgency. Your successful implementation could make a significant contribution to security and stability in Europe and strengthen the strategic autonomy of the EU.
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