CZ/SK verze

The EU has awarded EUR 160 million to develop rail infrastructure for military purposes

The EU has awarded EUR 160 million to develop rail infrastructure for military purposes
photo: CEPA press materials/The EU has awarded EUR 160 million to develop rail infrastructure for military purposes
19 / 04 / 2022

The EU has awarded grants to 22 projects under the Military Mobility Fund to improve infrastructure for military and civilian purposes. A total of 339 million euros was awarded, 160 million of which will go to railroads in Germany, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belgium, Italy, France, Portugal, Slovenia, and Hungary.

"Against the background of Russian aggression, it is very clear how important it was to decide on a separate measure for military mobility projects, and I hope that all Member States will use it as effectively as possible to increase European capabilities," said Henrik Hololei, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport.

The largest sum, EUR 50 million, will be used by the German Transport Ministry to modernize the North Sea-Baltic Corridor to receive freight trains up to 740 meters long. The Belgian railway company Infrabel will get around 5 million, the Italian company RFI will get around 4 million, and the Portuguese port of Aveiro will get around 7.5 million. The Slovenian port of Koper will get EUR 20 million, Hungary will receive 3 million, and French railway company SNCF Réseau will get 5.5 million.

The Baltic states will not be spared from the funding. The Estonian Defence Investment Centre will receive 31 million, Lithuania's LTG Infra will get about 13 million, and Latvia's Transport Ministry will get about 5 million.

The funding is allocated so that the European rail infrastructure can function not only for ordinary transportation but also for the movement of heavy military equipment.

CEF's Military Mobility call ended in January this year, with the EU approving the first 22 projects later in April. Formal funding decisions will be made in the coming weeks. Grant agreements with project implementers are currently being prepared. The next Military Mobility tender will be announced in May 2022.

Tags