The experience of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is pushing the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance to revise the rules regarding logistics and supply provision. This was stated in an interview with The Times by the Head of the NATO command of the Joint Support and Enabling Command (JSEC), Lieutenant General Alexander Zolfranc.
NATO leaders are worried about the possible expansion of the conflict in Europe and are discussing measures that would allow them to secure the alliance in case of involvement in a direct clash. NATO considers supply of the army to be one of the top priorities in this regard. Zolfranc added that the key lesson that the organization's leadership learned from the Russian-Ukrainian conflict was that routes of supply and reinforcement should be flexible to minimize the consequences of strikes on them. Also, the position of the NATO military leadership regarding deterring the conflict states that this is not only a matter of military power, but also the ability to send it to where it should be in a short time, as well as the ability to do this throughout the conflict, which may last for months or even years.
The fact that Europe eliminated a large number of military equipment and infrastructure facilities after the end of the cold war is mentioned as a problem for European security in case of a military clash. Thus, the countries of the alliance need to increase investments in strengthening the capabilities for storing ammunition, moving units and creating command posts.
However, in addition to infrastructure, the European allies have another problem – bureaucratic barriers, according to Brigadier General Frank Schmitz, head of planning at the German military’s Joint Support and Enabling Service. In his opinion, these restrictions, existing not only between the member states of the alliance, but also at the regional level of certain countries, in particular Germany, seriously weaken the alliance's rapid response capabilities in a military crisis.
Thus, the military command of the NATO countries is once again returning to discussing the military equivalent of the Schengen Area, which would greatly simplify the movement of the military personnel of the alliance countries between the participating states. To date, it is known that negotiations are underway to create a number of "military corridors" throughout Europe and their results may be presented at the July NATO summit in Washington.
Source - The Times
