The previous months have made it clear that the European Union (EU) has changed the way it perceives defense and security policy and organizes defense investment her, which is also marked by the new perennial budget (2028 – 2034), almost 2 trillion height. euro.
For the first time, based on official legal documents that accompany the EU budget, defense acquires an autonomous financial part and is integrated as a central strategic choice for geopolitical protection, economic autonomy and the strengthening of European industry, prompting the defensive and defensive section.
Specifically, through the European Competitiveness Fund, which raises more than € 410 billion, at least 131 billion in defense is expected to be made available for a multiple amount compared to the previous period 2021 – 2027. This investment is not only for military equipment but also the enhancement of cross -border mobilitylogistics, innovation and defense technology production.
This new approach, as explicitly stated, links defense to the broader vision of EU strategic autonomy: “Strategic investment in defense capabilities and mobility are vital to Europe’s geopolitical attitude and its ability to act autonomously where needed.”
An important incision is the upgrade of Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)for the financing of dual -use projects, that is, infrastructures that will serve both military and civil mobility, as Article 48 of the Regulation on the Trans -European Transport Network (TEN – T) binds Member States to ensure that their transport infrastructure meets criteria appropriate to military use from the cargo.
What is CEF
The CEF mechanism is the EU’s main funding tool for investment in transport, energy and digital interconnection infrastructure. In the context of the new multi -year budget 2028 – 2034, the CEF is reinforced and acquires a dual role: funding of political and military infrastructure.
The new CEF provides for a total funding of more than 50 billion euros, of which about € 17.6 billion directly relate to military mobility (from 1.7 billion in the previous period).
The mechanism is divided into three areas:
- Transport: For rails, ports, highways and logistics hubs
- Energy: For energy networks, RES and storage infrastructure
- Digital: For broadband infrastructures, 5g and supercomputing
In the context of the defense strategy, the CEF now emphasizes projects that can serve both political and military purposes at the same time. Such works should:
- to fall into the specified military corridors,
- meet technical specifications for moving military equipment (height, durability, geometry),
- to be connected to the Ten-T networks
“Actions eligible for funding include upgrading existing transport infrastructure to meet military requirements: weight, height liberation, beam and seat belts,” the documents said.
CEF’s financial support may cover:
- up to 50% of the costs of studies,
- up to 30% for construction projects,
- up to 50% for double -use projects with a military component.
Some projects (especially at cross -border points) can reach 85% through special cohesion funds.
It is also noted that the final definition of military priority military mobility will guide the distribution of financial support within the CEF for the period 2028–2034. The EU has already approved four corridors of “military mobility priority”. These corridors, incorporated into the CEF and the national plans of the states, define the routes through which they will immediately move forces and equipment in the event of a crisis.
In terms of geographical location, Greece is in two of these four corridors: the central -southern corridor and the eastern corridor, which run through the Balkans and connecting Southeast Europe with the rest of the Union network.
At the same time, according to the Think Tank Cepa report (which is advisory in both the Commission and NATO) on military mobility, Greece is actively involved in two military forces moving scenarios (scenario 3 – Focșani Gate, and scenario 4 – Western Balkans) and from the Western Balkans to the Mediterranean.
Greece’s position gives it the opportunity to submit to approval projects along these military corridors and will include ports, roads and rail networks, as well as logistics hubs, absorbing resources for infrastructure with added geopolitical value for Europe itself, such as upgrades.
It is worth noting that the financial staff and generally the Greek side attach particular importance to these forecasts. After all, the CEF issue has also been involved in the Greek Commissioner for Transport, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, who also participates in the TEN-T committee with the Member States, with the aim of accelerating the EU’s political-military mobility.