Rail Baltica: A Vital Project for Military and Civil Infrastructure

Rail Baltica is a vital infrastructure project that strengthens security and accelerates transport across the Baltics. It enables NATO to deploy troops faster and more efficiently in this strategic region. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The NATO Force Integration Unit (NFIU) visited the Rail Baltica construction site in Jonava district, observing progress on the European rail line. NFIU Commander Colonel Peter Nielsen of the Danish Armed Forces noted that Rail Baltica, a civilian project with military importance, supports NATO’s rapid deployment capabilities in the Baltic region.

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During the meeting, LTG Infra Head Justas Vyžintas shared updates on Rail Baltica’s progress and upcoming stages, emphasizing other military mobility infrastructure projects in Lithuania. LTG Group’s Chief Resilience Officer Gediminas Šečkus discussed the FREE Rail program, while LTG Cargo shared recent data on rail freight transport. LTG Group and NFIU maintain close working relationships that enhance military mobility across the Baltics.

Rail Baltica and Advancing Military Mobility

NFIU has operated in Lithuania for nearly ten years, serving as a command headquarters that manages NATO forces. This unit’s primary objective is to ensure the swift deployment of NATO forces in the region. Since its establishment in 2015, NFIU has acted as an intermediary to facilitate interoperability between national and allied forces deployed in the Baltic States.

According to LTG Group CEO Egidijus Lazauskas, Rail Baltica plays a critical role in advancing military mobility and enhancing regional security. Since 2019, the number of NATO trains arriving in Lithuania has grown steadily, with a 40% increase in 2023. This infrastructure project benefits both military needs and broader national interests, serving mutual purposes.

Infrastructure Development of Rail Baltica in Lithuania

Colonel Nielsen, who has led NFIU since 2021, emphasized that Lithuania’s security amid threats relies on NATO allies’ rapid deployment. Therefore, prioritizing military mobility should remain a key national security focus, requiring dedicated resources and attention. Military mobility serves as a deterrent and also benefits the nation by improving transport infrastructure for civilian use.

LTG Group has launched the FREE Rail program to integrate broad-gauge railways into the European system, strengthening resilience against external threats. Šečkus explained that this program focuses on infrastructure and train operations, as well as technological and informational integration. The program is modernizing outdated standards, rules, IT systems, and technologies, bringing Lithuania closer to a unified European rail network.

Rail Baltica will also expand LTG Cargo’s capacity, allowing increased freight volumes, including military transport. Its reliable, modern infrastructure will enable more significant freight capacity and variety, boosting the rail system’s value for various industries.

The Rail Baltica line, with the European 1435 mm gauge, complements Lithuania’s existing 1520 mm broad gauge, developed before the Ukraine conflict. In Kaunas (Palemonas district), infrastructure is being constructed for both gauges to effectively support NATO’s transport needs. Military equipment from Kaunas can be delivered directly by road or rail to other Lithuanian regions, Latvia, and Estonia.

Infrastructure development in Palemonas will also ease access to the Rūdininkai training ground, where a German brigade deployment is planned. The European-standard infrastructure will complete the missing link, fully integrating the Baltic States into the EU rail network, enhancing Europe’s capacity to respond to security threats and fortifying vulnerable regions.

Rail Baltica is a strategic project for LTG Group and the EU, representing the largest rail infrastructure initiative in Baltic history. The project will create an electrified European-standard dual-track railway connecting Warsaw, Kaunas, Vilnius, Panevėžys, Riga, Pärnu, and Tallinn. The total length of Rail Baltica in the Baltic States will reach 870 km: 392 km in Lithuania, 265 km in Latvia, and 213 km in Estonia.

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