EUMS Logistic Conference, “What’s new in military logistics? Taking stock & a possible way ahead”.

After a three-year gap due to COVID restrictions, the 20^th Edition of the EUMS Logistic Conference (EULOG23) was held on the 10-11 MAY23 at the Royal Military Academy premises in Brussels. Planned as a two-day conference, it included presentations coupled with panel format discussions from selected participating experts on related EU Logistics topics, for this year’s Conference the topic was “What’s new in military logistics? Taking stock & a possible way ahead”.

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This annual event is organized by the EUMS Logistics Directorate, bringing together officials from the global European logistic community with the aim of:

1. Improving the quality and efficiency of the logistic support provided to EU-led military operations and missions (OPS/MIS);
2. Gaining information from other logistics stakeholders already involved in specific topics, in order to create a common understanding with the purpose of discussing current developments and future efficient and effective solutions;
3. Enhancing the networking within the European Union and with external partners for further collaboration on Logistics.

60 participants attended the venue, including representatives from EU Member States (22), EU institutions like the Hellenic and German EU Operation Headquarters, EDA, SECDEFPOL and the CPCC, or partners from International Organisations such as the NATO HQ, SHAPE, JSEC, NSPA, MLCC, EATC, MCCE, USEUCOM and USAFRICOM.

Three panels were developed by subject matter experts from relevant stakeholders, moderated by CAPT (N) Matthias Alfons ALTMEIER: EUMS LOG DIR/ Logistics Policy Branch Chief:

1. EU Logistics Enablers Framework Evolution: From CSDP Training missions abroad to MIS/OPS on European soil.
2. Joining hands: A closer future of EU-partners’ cooperation in Logistics in Europe and beyond.
3. Future concerns: Which logistic means and capabilities, based on most recent lessons identified, should be developed and procured to better cope with future challenges?

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The conference has been a great opportunity to gather members of the logistics community to discuss how logistic support has changed and which new and promising enabling initiatives could lead to a faster and more comprehensive effort to provide more leverage and value to logistics in general and strategic logistics enablers in particular.

The event also helped to identify potential areas of logistics cooperation and realistic options to build and refine logistic capabilities, as it is critical to provide not only an effective, but also an efficient logistic support system for multinational forces.

This has been the last EU Logistic Conference of its type. Next year’s event will bring Logisticians and the Movement & Transportation community together, searching for a more comprehensive logistics framework.