According to Polish radio station RMF24, this project will be one of the main contents in the meeting between President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Donald Tusk in Gdansk on April 20.
Warsaw's goal is to upgrade and extend the aviation fuel pipeline network built since the Cold War. Currently, this system mainly serves Western Europe and ends in West Germany.
Poland wants to bring this fuel source closer to military bases on the eastern flank of NATO, especially the eastern border area of this country. In the context of prolonged tensions with Russia, Warsaw believes that strengthening logistics capabilities is an important factor to ensure rapid response in emergencies.
The NATO pipeline network currently has a total length of more than 10,000 km. Initially, this system was built to serve the Western Air Force in the event of a confrontation with the Soviet Union.
Today, the pipeline not only provides fuel for military bases but also serves many large civil transport centers. One of the typical examples is the airport in Frankfurt, which still uses fuel from this system.
A notable technical feature is that aviation fuel transported through the NATO network can be used for military trucks and tanks if appropriately supplemented with additives. This helps the armed forces reduce dependence on road transport convoys, which are easily interrupted or attacked in wartime.
In addition to military-related content, Mr. Macron's visit also aims to promote civil energy cooperation between the two countries.
France is currently one of the countries invited by Warsaw to participate in the second nuclear power plant construction project in Poland. This is part of the long-term strategy of Mr. Donald Tusk's government to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on traditional sources of supply.
France's deeper involvement in infrastructure and energy projects in Poland shows that relations between Paris and Warsaw are being strengthened in the context of the security environment in Europe continuing to change.
