Military mobility

Key points

The EESC:

• stresses that military mobility is vital for EU deterrence and defence, particularly for frontline and transit Member States on the EU’s eastern flank and calls for:
  • rapid reinforcement of these regions as a top priority in implementing the Regulation;
  • simplification and harmonisation of logistics, customs, and transport rules without      undermining workers’ rights, working conditions and safety;
• highlights the critical role of civilian resources and personnel in military mobility, demanding:
  • clear legal frameworks to define their involvement in both peacetime and crises, transparency and justification for any emergency derogations under EMERS, that when activated, should remain justified, proportionate and limited in duration, while taking due account of driver wellbeing;
  • fair compensation, robust protections (e.g., insurance); 
  • investments in the transport workforce in order to improve employment and working conditions and training of worker; 
• calls for prioritised EU funding for dual-use infrastructure and technologies, including:
  • railways, roads, data networks, satellite communications, drones, and innovative propulsion systems to boost competitiveness, internal market cohesion, and resilience;
  • a substantial increase in the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport budget, with a dedicated, ring-fenced allocation for military mobility;
  • exploration of a long-term EU investment vehicle to fund large-scale military mobility projects;
• requires strict criteria for subcontracting military transport to civilian operators, particularly in road and maritime sectors, ensuring:
  • transparency, legitimacy, and compliance records of all subcontractors;
  • enforcement that includes checks of licences, vehicle records, and derogation compliance;
• emphasises the need for structured dialogue with civil society and social partners from the earliest stages of planning, training, and exercises to:
  • ensure public acceptance and operational efficiency;
  • embed anti-corruption safeguards, including beneficial ownership disclosure and auditability in procurement and subcontracting.

The EU Youth Test at the EESC was applied to this opinion. ESDN Youth Network was chosen by a group of interested youth organisations to represent all of them during the opinion-making process.