Poland Proposes Extending NATO Fuel Network Eastward
The extension of a Cold War-era pipeline network supplying aviation fuel to NATO allies will be discussed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Poland.
The system, spanning around 10,000 km, was originally built to meet the needs of Western air forces in the event of a conflict with the Soviet Union. It now serves both military bases and civilian hubs, including Frankfurt Airport.
Fuel from the network can also be used for ground vehicles, as it is suitable for trucks and tanks after treatment. The system reaches 12 countries but currently ends in western Germany.
Countries on NATO’s eastern flank, including Poland, have long pushed for its expansion. “We will discuss expanding infrastructure, strengthening fuel and military security and ending the two-speed NATO”, Energy Minister Milosz Motyka said.
He warned that Eastern Europe remains more vulnerable, adding that limited mobility would also affect the West.
Supply risks have also been underscored by the war with Iran, which has disrupted routes and driven up fuel prices.