At the end of 2020, the multifunctional transport and storage center in the Polish city of Kutno reached its initial operational readiness. This object is part of the form in Europe Network of logistics hubs in Europe and support to operations (netloghubs).
As part of testing certain functions of the Polish logistics center last summer, the German armed forces moved 60 containers, 35 vehicles and other equipment there. After short-term storage and reloading, the transport was sent to Lithuania to provide the NATO forces stationed there with an "enhanced forward presence".
The next practical test of the logistics center in Poland took place in the fall of 2020, when it provided logistical support to the NATO mission to protect the airspace of the Baltic states.
The Polish Ministry of Defense emphasizes that the current capacity of the transport and storage hub, declared for use in the framework of the European project, meets all the requirements for achieving full operational readiness, so there are no plans to expand its infrastructure. The logistics center in Kutno will reach full operational readiness by the end of 2021.
At the moment, the network of military logistics hubs in Europe includes 13 centers. The netloghubs network as a whole will be ready for operation in 2024 and will take over part of the logistics of exercises and operations of the EU, NATO or the UN.
Recall that the project "Network of Logistics Hubs in Europe and Operations Support" is being developed within the framework of the European Union's integrated program of "Permanent Structured Cooperation" (PESCO).
In addition to the above netloghubs another program is included in the conditionally allocated logistics group "Military Mobility", which is designed to standardize and simplify border crossing procedures for the armed forces of EU member states, speed up the transfer of military contingents and weapons across Europe.
The direction of this transfer is not officially specified, but the European media call the main goal of the border with Belarus and Russia, the latter of which is perceived as one of the main threats to European security.
The EU's military programs echo the plans of NATO, so it is obvious that they have a dual purpose. Thus, the network of military logistics hubs (transport and storage hubs) and the so-called "military Schengen" created in Europe should ensure joint operations of both the EU and NATO.
The fact that PESCO programs are being implemented to strengthen the capabilities of NATO and the United States once again confirms the EU's plans to allow third countries to participate in joint European projects, primarily in America. This step will open Washington's access to EU defense projects, namely PESCO.
It is obvious that NATO sees the United States as the sole guarantor of security, and Russia as one of the threats to the Euro-Atlantic community. At the same time, the European Union is now becoming the main conductor of the policy of the North Atlantic Alliance and the United States in the European region.
Nikolai Astrovsky
