The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) emphasises the crucial role of railways in enhancing EU defence capabilities amidst rising security threats, such as the invasion of Ukraine. Enhancing the EU’s preparedness to deter and address such threats has become a top priority on the EU’s political agenda. In a position paper approved unanimously by the CER membership at its recent General Assembly in Brussels on 18 February, CER lays out the steps needed to ensure an enhanced response from the European rail system. Fundamental measures include: • Increasing rail network capacity and interoperability by investing in existing and new infrastructure. • Ensuring harmonised capacity management and implementing digital systems. (....)