Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė and Minister of Transport and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis visited Palemonas to observe the procedure of loading military equipment of the outgoing NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group rotation on a train. The visit highlights the importance of further strengthening military purpose infrastructure and increase capacity of the loading yard in Palemonas to align it with NATO standards and ensure effective logistical support for the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
“The dual-use Palemonas loading yard with the new gauge leading to the Rūdininkai Training Area dedicated for the German Brigade are the two key objects for military mobility in our country. We are looking with the colleagues from the Ministry of Transport and Communications for ways to secure financing for these projects and their implementation at the earliest date possible. Proper and timely implementation of infrastructure projects is critical for strong national defence,” says Minister Dovilė Šakalienė.
The guests were familiarized with modernization and development of the dual use Palemonas loading yard project which includes two of the four European military mobility corridors (North and South), the so-called military Schengen space. Implementation of the project will increase the yard capacity for civilian and military cargo. The need for a corresponding spending to implement the infrastructure development project in a timely and smooth manner.
“I am glad to see Lithuanian communications and transportation companies contributing to host nation support and thus strengthening our national security. The success of loading the German army cargo demonstrates that our logistical infrastructure has the capacity to effectively meet the needs of civilian and military shipment alike,” said Minister of Transportation and Communications Eugenijus Sabutis.
According to LTG Group CEO Egidijus Lazauskas, the country’s military mobility had to be improved to be able to move military cargo smoothly nationally and internationally.
“Investment in military purpose infrastructure, such as the Palemonas loading yard, is critical in order to increase its capacity, improve technical conditions and make sure that our Allies have effective logistics at their disposal, in line with their needs and NATO standards,’ noted E. Lazauskas.
Upgrading the railway infrastructure to improve military mobility is one of the priorities of the Lithuanian Railways. In full understanding that effective and swift movement of Lithuanian and Allied forces is critical to national and regional security, the LTG Group has started a series of initiatives, such as increasing the moved military volumes, desynchronization with the Russian railways, readiness for mobilization, cooperation with the Armed Forces and other institutions, design of a unified military mobility system, etc.
The LTG Group is the largest railway group in the Baltic states which develops business in three main directions: freight and passenger transportation by railway, management, upkeep and development of the public railway system. The LTG Group comprises LTG Infra, LTG Cargo, LTG Link and GTC.
Info credits: LTG Group
Photo credit: Sgt Spc K. Kavolėlis/MoD
