NATO members approve 27-billion-euro fuel network overhaul

NATO countries have approved a 27-billion-euro plan to overhaul the alliance's fuel network for supplying forces in Europe in coming decades.

Ambassadors from NATO's 32 member states signed off on the project at a meeting in Brussels on Wednesday. NATO said the investment, worth about $31 billion, would modernise existing fuel storage and distribution infrastructure.

The alliance said the project would support new facilities, including pipelines, in the eastern and southeastern parts of NATO territory. It said the aim was to ensure NATO forces have the energy supplies needed for war-fighting readiness.

Romanian President Nicusor Dan said the project was essential to strengthen security on NATO's eastern flank in response to the threat from Russia. The source said Romania has dealt with drone incursions from the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Officials said the project would take about 25 years to complete.

NATO's Central European Pipeline System was created in the late 1950s to supply fuel to alliance forces in Europe during the Cold War. The current 5,300-kilometre, or 3,300-mile, network crosses Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands and supplies fuel to 29 alliance depots.