Three projects aimed at improving “military mobility”, facilitating the movement of troops and heavy equipment across Europe, have been selected in Belgium to receive funding through the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027.
One project concerns the extension of the capacity of the Monzen railways junction in the town of Plombières, in Wallonia, the Belga news agency has learned from sources within the military.
Two other projects are located in Flanders and concern investments surrounding the ports of Zeebrugge and Antwerp. These ports are often used by the United States for the deployment of troops onto the European continent as part of its commitments as a member of NATO, the source also said.
In April 2022, the European Commission announced that, in the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it would accelerate its funding of military mobility projects. In total, it set aside a total investment sum of 339 million for 22 projects selected from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).
Thus, 30 million has been earmarked for Belgium, notably to transform a section of the N49 road between Damme and Maldegem (East Flanders) into a motorway. The road links the coastal city of Knokke-Heist to Antwerp. Bridges will be replaced crossing the Leopold and Schipdonk canals. The project was allegedly chosen in consultation with the Belgian Ministry of Defence and NATO.
Another modernisation project will aim to modernise the rail junction north of the port of Antwerp-Bruges. This is an important junction through which equipment can be delivered by boat and transport by train, a military spokesperson said.
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The Montezen railway junction project aims to improve capacity at the site of a former marshalling yard in the province of Liege, close to the border with the Netherlands and Germany. The project aims to bring the facilities up to the 740-metre standard needed for trains loaded with military equipment.
A study concerning additional projects for 2023 is ongoing.
