News item | 13-10-2025 | 12:00
Our railway is vulnerable and cannot handle growing military transport without a major impact on civilian transport. Additional measures are therefore necessary, also because of our NATO obligations. This is evident from an impact analysis by Christophe van der Maat, chairman of the Consultative Body for the Physical Environment (OFL) and the Resilience Table, commissioned by State Secretary Thierry Aartsen (Public Transport and Environment). Substantial investments are needed to resolve bottlenecks in the physical infrastructure. To start with, it is recommended to invest at least 600 million euros in the physical infrastructure and improving security systems and business processes.
Increasing geopolitical tensions and growing cyber threats are putting pressure on the security of our vital infrastructure. Recent incidents in Europe show that the threats are real. The Netherlands must quickly strengthen its resilience to prevent social and economic damage. A strong, well-connected and protected track is essential. That is why State Secretary Aartsen, together with ProRail, asked OFL to make an analysis of the vulnerability of our rail system. It was the first research from the Resilience Table established this year.
In the advisory report – ‘Time to act’ – Van der Maat mainly concludes that the rail system has been designed for efficiency and punctuality for years, but is insufficiently prepared for sabotage and cyber attacks. The current policy assumes incidental, non-intentional disruptions due to bad weather, for example. However, that principle is a thing of the past. Today’s reality requires a new starting point: a rail system that is not only efficient and punctual, but above all robust and resilient to hybrid threats.
The Netherlands is also unable to sufficiently fulfill its NATO obligations for military transport. One very wide military train, which requires the adjacent track to remain clear, can halt regular traffic on a given track for up to three hours. With several military trains per day, civilian rail transport comes to a virtual standstill, with major consequences for the economy and society. The current capacity is too limited to accommodate the expected growth in military transport.
Act now
According to Van der Maat, action now is necessary. Delay increases our vulnerability. Strengthening security and defense also offers the opportunity to structurally strengthen the railway. Additional investments are unavoidable for this. Van der Maat recommends a starter package of at least €600 million for three types of measures:
- Increasing security: better access management, smart detection systems, monitoring of digital systems and additional anti-drone measures at critical locations.
- Strengthening continuity: mobile emergency systems for rapid resumption of train traffic, more spare parts, sufficient recovery capacity and scenarios for large-scale incidents.
- Increasing military capacity: more shunting space in port areas, longer tracks for trains of 740 meters, removal of obstacles along the track and more efficient border crossings.
Christophe van der Maat, chairman OFL: “The hybrid threats that Europe is facing are not going to disappear anytime soon. It is not an if, but when we will have to deal with sabotage to our vital infrastructure. Threats are only becoming more complex and more impactful. So waiting is not an option. That is why our call is crystal clear: invest now in the resilience and military mobility of the railway. Because a A society that stops in its tracks also puts its safety and freedom at risk.”
Strong track essential for safety
State Secretary Aartsen endorses the advisory report: “The world around us is changing rapidly, and that requires action. A strong, well-connected and safe railway is essential for our national and international security. This requires investments in security, recovery capacity and the capacity for military transport. Both the sector and the government must now work together and take steps. This may mean that travelers sometimes spend a little longer on the road, but in the current geopolitical climate, we have no time to lose. With a strong and resilient track we increase our safety, availability and reliability. Resilience is not just a task for Defense, it is a joint responsibility of all of us.”
Many measures not only strengthen military capabilities, but also our society and economy. This way the knife cuts both ways. Investments in longer trains, more shunting capacity and greater reliability also benefit regular freight and passenger transport.
John Voppen (CEO ProRail): “The railway is extremely important strategically. That is why we must focus on increasing its resilience. Especially now that there is a threat and we need to be able to respond quickly. This includes transport, but also security and the rapid repair of damage. And a robust railway is also immediately relevant for passenger and freight trains.”
Priority for defense on the railway
Aartsen writes in his letter to the House that, despite the outgoing status of the cabinet, he will immediately address many of the OFL’s recommendations, together with ProRail and transporters. For example, he wants to ensure that defense is prioritized on the railways, and that trains do not stop at the border due to paperwork. His ministry will also work with Defense and ProRail to simulate military transports in order to find and improve bottlenecks. Furthermore, a joint resilience strategy is being developed together with ProRail, which will make the railway more resilient to hybrid threats.
It is up to the next cabinet to make final choices about the starting budget of 600 million euros. Early next year, the House will be informed about how the recommendations have been followed up.