Find out how our work on a strategic military complex is helping to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank and support rapid deployment in the region.
Since 2014, growing instability on NATO’s eastern flank has driven the need for a stronger, more efficient allied military presence in Eastern Europe.
To help address this, we were appointed to provide architectural and engineering services for the design of a Long-Term Equipment Storage & Maintenance Complex (LTESM-C) and Munitions Storage Area (MSA) in Poland.
Together, these support NATO’s wider goal of improving military readiness by enabling faster deployment of vehicles, equipment and supplies across the region.
With just 12 months to complete the design for the LTESM-C, this was a fast-paced, large-scale programme. As the largest NATO and US-funded military infrastructure project in over 30 years, it demanded tight coordination and timely delivery.
By combining global defence expertise with local knowledge, we delivered a fully integrated design that met complex operational, technical and environmental requirements.
Infrastructure for rapid response
In a region where geopolitical tensions are heightened, the ability to rapidly deploy fully equipped forces is critical. That means having the right infrastructure in place, ready when it’s needed.
The LTESM-C is a key part of this capability. The complex provides long-term storage and maintenance for thousands of vehicles and pieces of equipment – including tanks, armoured personnel carriers, artillery and recovery vehicles – all kept in mission-ready condition for rapid deployment.
The LTESM-C comprises multiple facilities, including:
- Controlled-humidity warehouse for vehicle care and storage
- Vehicle maintenance and storage shed and wash rack
- Fuel storage tanks, guard booth and search canopy
- Storage for hazardous waste
- Supporting civil infrastructure, including utilities, drainage, access roads and security features
Adjacent to this, the MSA includes:
- Igloos (Earth-Covered Magazines)
- Ammunition surveillance and maintenance shops
- Administration building
- Extensive site services and perimeter controls
What is AECOM’s role in the LTESM-C project?
Our involvement began during the design phase, where we carried out site visits, environmental checks, stakeholder consultation and early-stage environmental due diligence to ensure the designs met all technical, regulatory and operational requirements.
We also facilitated a design charrette (a collaborative planning session involving all stakeholders) early in the process to align priorities and accelerate decision-making, followed by focused design review sessions.
When coronavirus travel restrictions meant the US team couldn’t be on site, our locally based experts stepped in, ensuring the project stayed on schedule and aligned with the original design intent. Close coordination between our local specialists and US colleagues was key to maintaining momentum and quality throughout the project lifecycle.
With the LTESM-C now complete and operational, we continue to support the wider programme – including the ongoing development of the MSA.
Offsetting environmental impact by designating a new Natura 2000 site
Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas covering Europe’s most valuable and threatened species and habitats.
Given the project’s significant potential impact on one of these sites, the development was subject to a full environmental impact assessment (EIA). Our environmental team carried out extensive ecological studies to assess how construction could affect local wildlife, including protected species and habitats.
In agreement with the Polish authorities, it was determined that these impacts would need to be offset. Therefore, we proposed the designation of Dziki Ostrów – a 75-hectare area of wetland and woodland habitat with similar ecological value – as a new protected site to compensate for the anticipated impact.
Our team led the development of the compensation plan and prepared all required inventories and documentation for Dziki Ostrów’s inclusion in the Natura 2000 network.
The site was officially accepted into the network by the European Commission in 2021 – marking a significant environmental milestone for the project and playing a key role in securing permitting approval.