07/04/2025 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 4 April, the European Commission adopted new legislation facilitating the authorisation of personnel-carrying wagons that can be integrated into freight trains. In military transport, personnel will be able to travel with their equipment and ammunition on all the main European rail networks. These specifications constitute the first set of uniform railway design standards for dual-use, defence and security capabilities, as called for in the ‘White Paper on European Defence’ and the ‘EU Defence Preparedness Strategy’ (see EUROPE 13615/4). They will ensure that the wagons are interoperable with the rail infrastructure, while offering a high degree of flexibility for the interior layout. This authorisation for “all-purpose” vehicles will be granted by the European Railway Agency (ERA), rather than by the administrations of the Member States. To read the regulation, go to https://aeur.eu/f/gb0 (AD)