The Netherlands is looking into converting old trains into mobile emergency hospitals for wounded troops as countries across Europe look to ramp up their defences amid mounting tensions with Russia.
At least 24 trains are believed to be under consideration for the conversion by 2026. It is said the trains earmarked for the possible overhaul are being phased out for newer models and were originally expected to be sold abroad. NATO allies have agreed to a new 5% defence and security target, while the bloc’s Secretary General Mark Rutte has warned Moscow could be ready to attack an alliance member within five years.
A Dutch railway spokesperson confirmed to POLITICO that Amsterdam’s defence ministry had begun initial talks over the idea with the national railway company, Nederlandse Spoorweg.
“The process is still in an early stage,” Erik Kroeze told the outlet.
A senior Dutch military officer told Rotterdam-based newspaper Algemeen Dagblad that the idea is one of many needed to enable large-scale operations.
It is said the Netherlands’ defence ministry believes this is not possible without support from wider society.
The ministry described the discussions over the trains as “advanced negotiations”, Algemeen Dagblad also reported.
The plans are said to be part of a wider move that could also see Dutch train drivers moving military supplies in Eastern Europe.
It comes a week after Dutch airliner KLM signed an agreement with the Netherlands government to allow its pilots to serve as reserve F-35 fighter jet pilots.
Other countries, including Germany per reports, have been looking into how the civilian sector could support military logistics.
A similar idea to the train conversion is also being considered as part of a new EU Commission military mobility package, according to POLITICO.
Last week, the port of Rotterdam — Europe’s largest — shared how it is preparing for a potential conflict involving Russia.
It said it is reserving space for ships carrying military equipment and also planning where to divert cargo in the event of war.
The port’s chief executive, Boudewijn Siemons, told the Financial Times: “If large volumes of military goods would have to be shipped, we’d look to Antwerp or other ports to take over some capacity and the other way around.
“We see each other less and less as competitors. And, of course, we compete where we have to, but we work together where we can.”