The EU has announced plans to beef up European defence by pooling resources, upgrading infrastructure and developing new technology in light of what it sees as growing threats to European security.
It comes as a Russian spy ship has been spotted close to Scotland.
“This is a vessel used for gathering intelligence and mapping undersea cables, dragging sensors behind it”, the British Ministry of Defence said in a statement on social media.
Europe has got used to peacetime on much of the continent. The war in Ukraine has been a wake up call. And it has revealed how under-prepared the European Union is for possible attacks.
According to the European Commission, a recent NATO exercise got bogged down after one key infrastructure link became blocked.
An investigation uncovered 500 key transport links that urgently need to be upgraded. The European Commission has now estimated that to do so will cost €100 billion.
Under plans announced by the European Commission today, ports and airports as well as road and rail links will be upgraded to ensure military convoys can be moved quickly from one side of the continent to the other in case of an attack.
Ireland has a policy of military neutrality, but still takes part in EU military missions and is actively involved with EU defence plans.
The Irish government is also in the process of increasing funding to the Irish Defence Forces.
The EU’s transport commissioner, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, says it is about preparing the European Union for anything.
“The time to prepare is not when the crisis hits. It is now.
Solid logistics networks can make the difference between winning and losing wars.
They allow fast and seamless transport of troops and military equipment, across Europe’s bridges, tunnels, across our roads and railroads, and through our ports and airports.
Because when you want to defend a continent, you must be able move across it and quickly.”