HCSS Fuel Security for Defence series | Fuel is no longer just an energy issue. It’s a security issue
Fuel security is fundamental to European defence readiness. Recent tensions in the Middle East and renewed concerns over the Strait of Hormuz have underscored how geopolitical shocks can threaten military fuel supplies and expose Europe's dependence on vulnerable global energy markets. Through the HCSS Energy Security Initiative, our research examines how declining refining capacity, import dependence and the energy transition are reshaping military fuel resilience. From strengthening existing fuel supply chains to scaling up alternative fuels, HCSS explores how Europe can ensure its armed forces remain operational in times of crisis.
Expert Analysis | From Sanctions to Drone Warfare: The Slow Erosion of Russia’s Oil Sector
Russia’s oil sector remains resilient, but its strategic foundations are weakening, HCSS energy specialists Jilles van den Beukel and Lucia van Geuns write in a new Expert Analysis. Sanctions have not stopped exports, yet they have increased costs, reduced efficiency and constrained access to technology and investment. Ukraine’s sustained strikes on refineries add direct pressure on the infrastructure converting crude into higher-value products. Maintaining effective sanctions enforcement, limiting access to critical technologies and sustaining pressure on Russia’s energy infrastructure can gradually reduce the profitability and fiscal capacity underpinning the war effort, the authors conclude.
Fuel Security for Defence
Fuel Security is a critical enabler of European defence readiness. As geopolitical tensions rise and energy markets transform, Europe’s military fuel supply chains face growing vulnerabilities. HCSS research explores how declining refining capacity, import dependencies and the energy transition are reshaping fuel resilience across air, land and maritime domains. Ensuring reliable access to military-grade fuels requires a strategic approach that combines stronger supply chains, alternative fuel production and closer civil-military coordination. Building fuel resilience today is essential to sustaining military operations and European security tomorrow.
