Germany enlists help from major civilian companies to prepare for potential NATO deployment to Eastern Europe
(MENAFN) Germany is enlisting help from major civilian companies to prepare for a potential NATO deployment to Eastern Europe in the event of a Russian military threat, according to a report by Handelsblatt on Tuesday.
As fears grow among some NATO members—particularly in the Baltic region—about a possible Russian invasion, the German military (Bundeswehr) has begun holding confidential talks with key logistics and defense companies. These include Deutsche Bahn, Lufthansa, and arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, the report says.
The German Defense Ministry has reportedly asked Deutsche Bahn to assess how it could assist with rail transport of troops and equipment during a crisis. Meanwhile, Lufthansa may contribute to fighter pilot training through its flight school. Rheinmetall, already involved in military logistics through a €260 million ($300 million) contract, is in discussions to expand its role further.
This initiative reflects Germany’s new strategic responsibility as NATO’s central logistics hub under the alliance’s updated defense posture. Berlin has committed to being able to deploy thousands of soldiers, aircraft, and ships within 30 days in case of an emergency.
Officials told Handelsblatt that the Bundeswehr lacks the capacity to carry out such large-scale mobilizations independently and must therefore rely on the private sector. The aim is to build a "strategic deployment corridor" across Germany using commercial transport infrastructure.
The Bundeswehr’s Operational Command noted that civilian firms already handle nearly all logistics for military movements outside active conflict zones. For transporting oversized equipment by sea and air, this reliance reaches 100%.
This push comes amid broader efforts to rebuild Germany’s military capabilities after years of underfunding. A €100 billion ($115 billion) special defense fund, announced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz following the escalation of the Ukraine war, aims to modernize the armed forces. General Carsten Breuer, Germany’s defense chief, recently emphasized that the military must be ready for combat with Russia by 2029.
In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly denied claims that Moscow poses a threat to NATO, dismissing such allegations as scare tactics used to justify rising Western defense spending.
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