Military Mobility: Eight European Countries Unite to Improve Rapid Troop Movement

Eight European countries have agreed to work together to improve the rapid movement of troops across the region.

Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense announced this.

Lithuania, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia signed a protocol of intent to enhance military mobility in Central, Northern, and Eastern Europe.

The initiative involves establishing the Central-North European Military Mobility Area (CNE MMA).

The agreement aims to unify border-crossing rules, improve joint control and coordination of transport, ensure efficient information sharing, and promote the synchronized development of infrastructure.

Relying on the existing Netherlands–Germany–Poland model corridor, an expansion of the network is planned: to the west through Belgium and Luxembourg, and to the east through Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. This will form a single Central–Northern European military mobility region.

“Uninterrupted military mobility is a national priority for Lithuania. It is ensured through the continuous development of infrastructure and the coordination of movements, which allows allied forces to move quickly, safely, and without interruption,” said Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas.

The project aims to strengthen infrastructure interoperability on NATO’s eastern flank through close cooperation among the countries of the region. According to the minister, various sources of funding – both national and EU development funds – are being used to achieve this strategic goal.

To further strengthen regional security and ensure strategic continuity of movement, Lithuania, together with the other Baltic states, plans to establish a Tri-Baltic military mobility zone.

This initiative will create a continuous space for the unobstructed movement of troops, which is crucial for effectively deterring possible aggression from Russia and for regional security in general.

The EU is also preparing plans for the rapid deployment of troops and weapons in the event of a war with Russia.

Military mobility refers to the ability to move troops, equipment, weapons, ammunition, and other resources efficiently, quickly, and safely by land, rail, air, and sea transport. This requires coordination and the uninterrupted functioning of infrastructure, transport assets, legal regulations, and logistics.