Germany’s ongoing railway system struggles are not only causing frustration for travelers but could also pose a serious challenge to Europe’s defense readiness.
In the event of a conflict with Russia, Germany would serve as the primary logistics hub for NATO troop movements, including the transfer of heavy military equipment from the U.S. and the UK. However, the current reliability of its transportation infrastructure is increasingly questionable.
One crucial component in these military logistics is DB Cargo, a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, responsible for much of the heavy lifting.
“Planning and executing transport [in the event of military conflict] is 100% the responsibility of DB Cargo,” a Bundeswehr officer, who spoke anonymously, told Handelsblatt.
The issue is that DB Cargo itself is facing a crisis: in 2024, it reported losses of 350 million euros and is planning to lay off around 5,000 employees.
DB Cargo’s CEO, Sigrid Nikutta, underscored the importance of the railway system’s role in defense during her address at the Munich Security Conference, stating, “Railway logistics is not just business; it is a matter of defense.” She urged the creation of a separate European network dedicated to military logistics.
“Logistics doesn’t win wars, but without it, wars are certainly lost,” she emphasized.
Former U.S. Army General Ben Hodges also expressed concerns, noting that “DB Cargo’s capacity is less than a quarter of what’s necessary for the simultaneous transfer of tank brigades.”
