NATO Moves to Expand Fuel Pipeline with Türkiye: "Connecting 10,000 km Across 12 Countries"
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is moving to expand its military fuel supply network in collaboration with Türkiye. This initiative is seen as an effort to strengthen the system for securing fuel required for military operations, amid growing concerns over energy supply instability caused by the Iran war and the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to Bloomberg News on June 8 (local time), NATO and Türkiye are pursuing an underground pipeline expansion project to enhance fuel security. The core of this project is to connect the pipeline near Çorlu in the East Thrace region of northwestern Türkiye with the pipeline near the southern province of Mersin.
Near Mersin lies the Incirlik Air Base, which is reportedly home to U.S. tactical nuclear weapons. The existing pipeline was established during the Cold War to supply fuel to NATO forces in the event of military conflict.
Bloomberg reported that, with mounting concerns over energy supply disruptions due to the wars involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, as well as the Russia-Ukraine war, NATO is accelerating efforts to strengthen its fuel logistics network. Türkiye holds significant geopolitical importance, as it shares a border with Iran and faces Ukraine across the Black Sea.
NATO may finalize some aspects of the pipeline expansion and related projects at the NATO summit, which is scheduled to be held in Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, from July 7 to 8.
A NATO official told Bloomberg, "Discussions are underway to strengthen NATO's fuel supply network, including the pipeline system," and added, "NATO continues its efforts to secure the fuel necessary to maintain operational readiness."
The project will be funded by approximately $28 billion from NATO's joint budget allocated for pipeline expansion. Countries where the infrastructure is built will share maintenance costs.
NATO's overall pipeline expansion project covers a total length of about 10,000 kilometers across 12 countries. The aim is to connect military bases, civilian airports, and supply depots to meet the increasing demand for fuel in military operations such as air transport and aerial refueling.
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The Turkish Ministry of National Defense previously announced on May 20 that it had proposed a $1.2 billion military pipeline project to NATO, which would connect Türkiye and Romania. This project has been presented as an alternative to reducing dependence on maritime fuel transport through the Strait of Hormuz.
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