Moving Towards the Speed of Relevance? Assessing Military Mobility in the Netherlands, Germany and Poland

Authors:

  • Calle Håkansson
  • Emelie Moregård
  • Anna Savolainen

Publish date: 2026-04-21

Report number: FOI-R--5870--SE

Pages: 46

Written in: English

Keywords:

  • deterrence
  • EU
  • Germany
  • military logistics
  • military mobility
  • NATO
  • the Netherlands
  • Poland

Abstract

Logistics is critical for deterrence and defence. Rediscovering this insight, NATO and the EU have endeavoured since 2014 to accelerate the efficient movement of military personnel and assets across Europe to safeguard the eastern flank, an undertaking further underscored by Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Military mobility depends on four key factors: infrastructure, (lift) capabilities, authorities and legislation, and command and control. Within each of these dimensions, Europe struggles to meet military needs. T his report maps and analyses the state of play in European military mobility through a case study of the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland. Besides constituting a region of key geostrategic importance, the three countries have taken on leading roles in military mobility, by developing the first European Military Mobility Area (MMA). The MMA aims to harmonise cross-border movement and serves as a model for similar efforts across the continent, with the ultimate goal of establishing a "Military Schengen." Although much work remains, the report finds progress in the field. The MMA provides an important framework for developing and coordinating efforts, but its implementation phase will present a moment of truth for its usefulness in a wider European context.