Germany has begun modernising infrastructure for the movement of troops and heavy equipment, but its supply system is still not ready for a large-scale conflict.
A €1.35 billion project has begun at the port of Bremerhaven. The facility is to be upgraded to handle the transport of heavy military equipment, including Leopard tanks. The modernisation is part of Berlin’s broader preparations for a possible war.
The military hopes to draw the private sector into logistics, but the process is being slowed by bureaucracy and a lack of transparency. Companies face limited access to information and cumbersome procurement procedures.
One of the main weak points remains infrastructure. Around 5,000 bridges in Germany are in need of repair, limiting the ability to move troops and equipment quickly.
The problem is compounded by the historically rigid divide between military and civilian structures. The authorities are now trying to reshape that approach, but the system is still not suited to large-scale co-operation.
The operational defence plan envisages the participation of private companies in supplying the army, but the document itself is classified. That prevents businesses from preparing in advance for possible tasks.
Despite rising defence spending and greater urgency since 2022, Germany is still in the middle of a restructuring process. Logistics remains one of the key bottlenecks in preparations for a possible conflict.