Dual-purpose military engineering: boosting defence and building nations

Maximising civilian use cases from military engineering assets

Governments around the world are under increasing pressure to boost defence spending. From geopolitical tensions with Russia and China to pressure from key allies like the United States, many developed nations are preparing for a more uncertain future. But there's a smart way to increase military budgets that also benefits the economy: by investing in dual-use engineering capabilities within the armed forces.

This article explores how military engineering—especially through army engineering corps—can serve both national defence and civilian infrastructure goals. Instead of creating idle military assets during peacetime, countries can develop versatile engineering units that contribute to nation-building, economic resilience, and emergency response.

By using military engineering to support both security and development, nations can make smarter use of taxpayer money, strengthen their infrastructure, and keep soldiers skilled and mission-ready.

1. Why defence budgets are rising

Across the Western world, a new era of defence spending is taking shape. Nations are being urged to invest more in their militaries to counter perceived threats from state actors like Russia, China, and North Korea. International alliances, such as NATO, are setting minimum targets for military expenditure, and governments are responding.

But while military budgets grow, many countries still face ageing infrastructure, housing shortages, and rising costs for public works. Critics argue that spending billions on tanks and missiles, which may never be used, offers limited value for the taxpayer.

That’s why the idea of dual-purpose military spending is so important. Instead of choosing between guns and roads, governments can fund engineering capabilities that serve both.

2. The long history of military engineers

The idea of military engineers serving civilian needs is not new. Roman legions built roads and aqueducts that lasted centuries. In the 19th and 20th centuries, military engineers played a key role in building lighthouses, hospitals, parks, and monuments.

In the United States, the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is a leading example. While serving military needs, it has also:

• Built flood protection systems like levees and dams

• Managed navigation on major rivers like the Mississippi

• Constructed customs houses, hospitals, and lighthouses

• Developed parks, roads, and public monuments in Washington, D.C.

• Carried out emergency response during floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes

This long tradition shows that military engineering can be more than just a wartime tool—it can be a powerful force for national development.

3. Military engineering roles: military and civilian

Military roles

• Base construction: Building and maintaining airfields, barracks, and operations centres

• Mobility support: Creating roads, bridges, and clearances for troop movement

• Combat engineering: Clearing mines, building fortifications, and setting up defences

• Disaster relief: Helping with rescue, shelter, and repair during emergencies

Civilian applications

• Water management: Building dams, canals, and flood control systems

• Transport infrastructure: Designing and constructing highways, bridges, ports, and airports

• Environmental projects: Cleaning polluted areas, restoring habitats, and managing waste

• Public buildings: Constructing schools, hospitals, and other essential facilities

• Emergency response: Rebuilding communities after natural disasters

These functions show how military engineering capabilities can transition seamlessly between peacetime and wartime roles.

4. Responding to natural disasters

Military engineers have long played a vital role in disaster response, saving lives and rebuilding communities after catastrophes. In the United States, the Corps of Engineers developed a strong reputation for emergency response, beginning with the 1947 explosion of a ship carrying 2,400 tons of ammonium nitrate in Texas City. Two years later, they responded to a major snowstorm in the Great Plains.

By 1950, the Federal Disaster Relief Act formally positioned the Corps as the lead agency for flood response. In 1955, Public Law 84-99 authorised an emergency fund to support flood fighting and infrastructure restoration.

Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the Corps responded to major disasters like the 1964 Alaskan earthquake, Hurricane Camille in 1969, and Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972. Their growing expertise led to the creation of a dedicated emergency management program in the 1980s.

With the 1988 Stafford Disaster Relief Act, the Corps began working even more closely with FEMA to respond to all kinds of disasters—from hurricanes and floods to oil spills and earthquakes. Key deployments have included:

• The Exxon Valdez oil spill (1989)

• Hurricane Hugo and the Loma Prieta Earthquake (1989)

• Mississippi River floods and Hurricane Andrew (1992–1995)

• Northridge Earthquake (1994)

This long record highlights how military engineering capability can be repurposed rapidly to protect civilians, deliver relief, and rebuild after disasters.

5. Developing skills through military engineering

The US Army Corps of Engineers is not only a construction agency—it’s a world-class training organisation. Through its Learning Center, military and civilian staff gain access to cutting-edge education and hands-on experience.

Key initiatives include:

• PROSPECT programme: Offers over 150 technical and professional courses tailored to engineering roles

• Leadership development: Tiered programmes designed to build management capacity and strategic thinking

• Engineer credentialing: Supports military personnel in gaining civilian certifications and licences

• Technical training: Specialised opportunities in geotechnical, transportation, environmental, and water resources engineering

• Advanced facilities: Access to supercomputers, centrifuges, and labs that enhance learning and innovation

• Career progression: Multiple career pathways in engineering, project management, and public service

• Academic partnerships: Collaboration with universities and research institutions to drive innovation

This culture of lifelong learning ensures that engineering corps remain up to date and competitive with civilian industry.

6. A modern strategy for defence and development

To realise the full potential of dual-purpose military engineering, governments should:

• Formalise the role of military engineering units in national infrastructure planning

• Invest in training that meets both military and civilian engineering standards

• Create partnerships between defence forces and public works agencies

• Develop clear protocols for deploying engineering units during peacetime projects

• Track economic benefits and share outcomes with the public

By doing so, countries can reduce waste, boost efficiency, and create a smarter, more flexible defence strategy.

Keep a focus on the economy in times of tension

Rising defence budgets don’t have to come at the expense of civilian needs. By investing in dual-use engineering capacity within the military, countries can create real value for their citizens. Military engineers can build the runways needed in wartime—and the roads, hospitals, and flood defences needed every day.

From the Roman Empire to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, history shows the power of this approach. In a world facing growing threats and shrinking budgets, dual-use military engineering is a win-win strategy for smart nations.

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