On Wednesday, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Etienne Schneider, together with the Minister of Sustainable Development and Infrastructures, François Bausch, inaugurated the new logistics hall near the Grand Duke Jean military barracks at "Haerebierg" in Diekirch.
The project has been part of the vast infrastructure programme concerning the rehabilitation of the Grand Duke Jean military barracks.
Built in 1955, the barracks was not originally intended to become an autonomous garrison. Accordingly, the logistics infrastructure put in place was limited and depots and workshops were minimised. As a result, structures designed for housing had been transformed over time for storage of equipment and spare parts. Additionally, given the amount of equipment acquired over the latest years, the storage area had become insufficient and no longer met current safety requirements.
Given the current number of tactical military vehicles, maintenance workshops in the past did not correspond to the current requirements of their dimensions and technical developments.
During his speech, Deputy Prime Minister Schneider said "At a time when military missions become increasingly numerous and complex, and require the use of highly sophisticated technological equipment, efficient and effective logistics management is an absolute necessity. This new infrastructure is an important step towards a modern army."
Divided into three main units, the new complex is in an independent secure enclosure with easier access to military barracks. To limit the construction site requirements, the concept of a single building has been retained, housing the workshops, storage rooms and offices together.
During his speech, Minister Bausch confirmed the project cost €46 million and was achieved well below the budget initially voted by the Chamber of Deputies. "I want to highlight the excellent collaboration with the officials of the army, especially in terms of choice of finishes, the recovery of most of the facilities and cooperation to achieve economies in general. Added to this is that the prices obtained during the various submissions were very supportive which led us to this extraordinary result, namely a saving of €15 million."
Photos by MDDI (top, L-R): Elisabeth Cardoso, directeur adjoint en charge des affaires internationale ; général Romain Mancinelli, chef d'état-major de l'armée; Étienne Schneider, Vice-Premier ministre, ministre de la Défense ; François Bausch, ministre du Développement durable et des Infrastructures ; Jean Leyder, directeur de l'Administration des bâtiments publics ; colonel Yves Kalmes, commandant du Centre militaire
