The German army has approached several major companies to explore their ability to support military logistics in the event of a crisis requiring rapid deployment to NATO’s eastern flank,

Handelsblatt reported on Tuesday.

Given Germany’s central location in Europe, it serves as a vital logistical hub. Under NATO’s new readiness strategy, Germany has committed to mobilizing 35,000 troops and over 200 aircraft and ships within 30 days during a major conflict, particularly in response to threats from Russia.

The Bundeswehr is seeking assistance primarily with the transport of troops, ammunition, and equipment in the event of a Russian attack on NATO territory, the newspaper said.

Companies involved in these discussions include defense contractor Rheinmetall, airline group Lufthansa, and state-owned railway operator Deutsche Bahn. According to Handelsblatt, there are also talks about Lufthansa’s flight school potentially taking over basic training for fighter jet pilots.

The German army relies heavily on commercial logistics services during crises. However, when asked for comment, the Bundeswehr referred inquiries to the Defense Ministry, which has yet to respond. Lufthansa declined to comment, while Deutsche Bahn said it could not disclose details about military logistics. Rheinmetall, which signed a logistics support agreement with the army earlier this year, also did not comment immediately.

Germany’s focus on strengthening its own defense capabilities has intensified since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which raised alarms about security across Europe. In response, Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared a “Zeitenwende” — a historic turning point — and pledged a €100 billion fund to modernize the military.

To fulfill its NATO commitments, Germany’s incoming government plans to increase defense spending and introduce a new, initially voluntary, military service. Still, modernizing the long-underfunded Bundeswehr poses significant challenges. The military was significantly downsized after the Cold War and has largely been oriented toward missions in lower-threat environments, such as Afghanistan. Photo -DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison, Wikimedia commons.