Rail Baltica, which the BBC reported was originally a "grand project" and with a civilian transport focus has become a strategic necessity to enhance military mobility which, according to one senior NATO officer, will connect Tallinn to allied nations as far afield as the Netherlands.

Rail Baltica's focus has largely been on civilian transport, the shifting security landscape underscores its military importance for moving heavy equipment, including main battle tanks.

Anvar Salomets, CEO of Rail Baltica Estonia, noted the under-construction northern terminus in the Ülemiste district of Tallinn will proceed south to a total of 870 kilometers network across the Baltic states, significantly reducing travel time from Tallinn to Vilnius to under four hours and promising substantial economic and environmental benefits.

The project has however been dogged by delays and problems; Estonia and Latvia have faced criticism for prioritizing rail terminals over the rail line itself, the BBC reported.

The Covid pandemic, soaring inflation, Russia's invasion of Ukraine being joined by regulatory differences between the three Baltic states as factors which have slowed up the project, 85 percent subsidized by the EU (to a total of over €15 billion), with another €1.1 billion just announced.

The Rail Baltica network once finished is set to replace the Baltics' Soviet-era Russian track gauge with the standard European width, creating a seamless rail link across the Baltics to Poland and the rest of the EU, proponents say.

During the pandemic, French forces being deployed to Estonia brought equipment by rail, but had to switch around rolling stock due to the gauge differences.

Originally slated for completion by 2026, the latest estimate for Rail Baltica to be fully functional is 2030-2031.

EDF chief: Rail Baltica is no 'magic wand'

By contrast, Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) commander Maj. Gen. Andrus Merilo has been cautious on the military utility of Rail Baltica once it is up and running, telling Postimees: "It is no magic wand. From the perspective of a simple soldier, the project's cost is so high that the funds could instead be used to acquire the military capabilities we intend to transport via the railway."

Since a rail line would be far easier to put out of action during a combat situation than would be the case for the entire road network, Rail Baltica will only be useful for as long as that has not happened, Merilo added.

The EDF chief also criticized the project's cost, at least from a military perspective, though noted it should bring some economic benefits once working.

Editor's note: This article was updated to include comments from Maj. Gen. Andrus Merilo.

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