Europe prepares for worst - How Netherlands plans to rescue troops in case of war
Photo: wounded soldiers (Getty Images)
The Netherlands plans to convert old trains into mobile hospitals to evacuate wounded soldiers. The initiative is part of a broader EU strategy to enhance military mobility amid the growing threat from Russia, according to the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
Amid growing concerns over a potential large-scale conflict with Russia, European countries are increasingly exploring ways to repurpose civilian infrastructure for defense purposes.
In the Netherlands, the Ministry of Defense is considering a plan to convert old train carriages into mobile hospitals for evacuating wounded soldiers. Officials emphasize that large-scale military operations cannot be conducted without involving civilian resources. The plan may also include sending Dutch train operators to Eastern Europe to support military transport efforts.
According to Erik Kroeze, a spokesperson for the national railway company Nederlandse Spoorwegen, the Defense Ministry has already submitted a request, and preliminary talks are underway. He noted that the process is still in its early stages.
At least 24 trains are expected to be converted by 2026, with the number potentially increasing later. These carriages were originally slated for sale abroad as part of a broader fleet modernization program.
This initiative is part of a wider EU strategy to enhance military mobility. The European Commission is preparing a new package, set to be unveiled this fall, that explores the dual use of transport infrastructure, such as vans, medical wagons, specialized ships, trucks, and aircraft during crises.
As part of this preparation, the EU Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) has distributed a questionnaire to transport sector stakeholders in EU countries to assess the readiness of civilian assets for emergency deployment and to gauge interest in establishing a shared reserve of such resources among member states.
The European Commission is also weighing the creation of a solidarity mechanism to ensure equal access across the EU to key resources, including medical trains and other specialized transport units.
The Dutch mobile hospital train project is becoming a key element of this broader EU initiative aimed at strengthening military readiness and mobility in the face of potential threats.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump previously announced an agreement with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on a new weapons supply framework for Ukraine.
