Austrian Armed Forces

Interwar In 1918, the Republic of German-Austria established a military known as the ("People's Defence"). Volkswehr forces took part in military confrontations with Royal Yugoslav Army troops which occupied parts of Carinthia that Austria claimed as its own. In 1920, after the Republic of German-Austria transitioned into the First Austrian Republic, the new regime changed the military's name to the ("Federal Army"), which it has been known by ever since. In 1938, officers led by Alfred Jansa developed a military operation plan to defend against a potential invasion by Nazi Germany, which ultimately went unused due to a lack of political willpower when the Germans annexed Austria in the same year during the Anschluss. Under German rule, the was disbanded, and many Austrians served during World War II in the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS (Austrian SS). World War II role of the "Bundesheer": • Elements of Austrian Army became 9th Panzer Division (Wehrmacht) • Elements of Austrian Army became 44th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) • 4th Austrian Division became the 45th Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) • 5th and 7th Austrian Divisions became the 3rd Mountain Division (Wehrmacht) • 6th Austrian Division became the 2nd Mountain Division (Wehrmacht) In 1955, Austria issued its Declaration of Neutrality, meaning that it would never join a military alliance. The Austrian Armed Forces' main purpose since then has been the protection of Austria's neutrality. Its relationship with NATO is limited to the Partnership for Peace programme. With the end of the Cold War, the Austrian military have increasingly assisted the border police in controlling the influx of undocumented migrants through Austrian borders. The war in the neighbouring Balkans resulted in the lifting of the restrictions on the range of weaponry of the Austrian military that had been imposed by the Austrian State Treaty. Bundesarchiv Bild 102-08388, Klagenfurth, Einzug des Bundesheeres.jpg|Troops entering Klagenfurt after a manoeuvre in Carinthia (September, 1929) Bundesarchiv Bild 102-09245, Österreich, Skitruppen beim Manöver.jpg|Austrian Gebirgsjäger in 1930 Bundesarchiv Bild 102-09448, Wien, Parade des Bundesheeres.jpg|Austrian Armed Forces celebrating their 10th anniversary in March 1930 at the Viennese Heldenplatz Bundesarchiv Bild 102-12705, Österreich, Manöver der Gebirgsartillerie.jpg|Austrian mountain artillerymen during a manoeuvre in Tyrol Bundesarchiv Bild 102-12135, Österreich, Fahnenweihe bei der Armee.jpg|New "Standarten" (flags) of Austrian Army units being consecrated by a Catholic priest in Mattersburg, Burgenland Bundesarchiv Bild 102-12181, Österreich, Pioniere beim Brückenbau.jpg|Engineers building a bridge across the Danube during a manoeuvre in 1931 Bundesarchiv Bild 102-00805, Wien, Februarkämpfe, Bundesheer 2.jpg|Soldiers of the Austrian Army in Vienna, during the Austrian Civil War in 1934 File:Ausbildung in der Gruppe (18480913048).jpg|Troops training with M1 Garands during the 1950s Cold War On 1 March 1978, the "Wehrgesetz 1978" became law, which encompassed the "Heeresgliederung 1978" plan to grow the Austrian Armed Forces to 384,000 (84,000 active, 300,000 militia) by the early 1990s to be able to fully employ the Austrian concept. A total of 30 new Landwehrstammregimenter were to be raised. On 6 October 1987, the Austrian government enacted the "Heeresgliederung 1987", which instructed the armed forces to stop the growth of the militia at 200,000. Afterwards only the militia's infantry grew, making 1988-1989 the timeframe Austria's armed forces reached their maximum strength. On 29 May 1990 the "Wehrgesetz 1978" was cancelled and the army began to shrink, which accelerated with the "Gesamte Rechtsvorschrift für Wehrgesetz 1990" ( of 31.12.1992). Raumverteidigung NATO's Central Army Group in Southern Germany was arrayed against attacks from East Germany and Czechoslovakia, with only the German Army's 10th Panzer Division available to cover the army group's Austrian flank. To strengthen the flank NATO would have deployed the French Army's II Corps, which would have required seven days for mobilization and approach. The arrival of Warsaw Pact forces in southern Bavaria within the first six days after the start of hostilities would have prompted NATO to use tactical nuclear weapons to block the enemy approach routes through Upper Austria. To prevent the use of tactical nuclear weapons on Austrian territory the Austrian military developed the Raumverteidigung (Area Defense) concept, which envisioned that Austrian forces would delay, harass and decimate Warsaw Pact forces with determined, sustained and costly resistance along their expected axis of advance. Strategic considerations The Austrian military assumed that Warsaw Pact forces would include Czechoslovak People's Army, Hungarian People's Army, and Soviet Army units. A mixed Czechoslovak-Soviet corps of three divisions was expected to mass in the Břeclav-Brno-Znojmo region and attack through the Weinviertel north of Vienna. The expected crossing of the Danube was expected to occur between Tulln and Krems, from where the enemy forces would have turned West to reach the Sankt Pölten area. In parallel the 5th Hungarian Army, consisting of Hungarian units, Soviet Central Group of Forces and Southern Group of Forces units, and Czechoslovak units based in Slovakia was expected to strike from Sopron through the Wiener Wald towards Sankt Pölten. • 9th Panzergrenadier Brigade, in Götzendorf an der Leitha (based in the Area Security Zone 21) • 311th Jagdkampfbataillon 311, in Allentsteig (Area Security Zone 31, in peacetime part of the 32nd Landwehrstammregiment) • 32nd Landwehrstammregiment, in Korneuburg (Area Security Zone 32) • 33rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Mautern an der Donau (Block Zone 33) • 34th Landwehrstammregiment, in Wöllersdorf (Key Zone 34) • 35th Landwehrstammregiment, in Amstetten (Key Zone 35) • 54th Landwehrstammregiment, in Graz (Key Zone 54) • 55th Landwehrstammregiment, in Sankt Michael (Subzone 55) • 56th Landwehrstammregiment (Subzone 56, formation suspended with the 1987 reform) • Tyrol Military Command - No. 6, in Innsbruck • 6th Jäger Brigade, in Innsbruck • 61st Landwehrstammregiment, in Kitzbühel (Area Security Zone 61) • 62nd Landwehrstammregiment, in Absam (Key Zone 62) • 63rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Landeck (Area Security Zone 63) • 64th Landwehrstammregiment, in Lienz (Area Security Zone 64) • 65th Landwehrstammregiment (Area Security Zone 65, formation suspended with the 1987 reform) • Carinthia Military Command - No. 7, in Klagenfurt • 7th Jäger Brigade, in Klagenfurt • 71st Landwehrstammregiment, in Wolfsberg (Key Zone 71) • 72nd Landwehrstammregiment, in Klagenfurt (Area Security Zone 72) • 73rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Villach (Key Zone 73) • 74th Landwehrstammregiment, in Spittal an der Drau (Area Security Zone 74) • Salzburg Military Command - No. 8, in Salzburg • 8th Jäger Brigade, in Salzburg • 81st Landwehrstammregiment, in Salzburg (Area Security Zone 81) • 82nd Landwehrstammregiment, in St Johann im Pongau (Subzone 82) • 83rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Tamsweg (Subzone 83) • Vorarlberg Military Command - No. 9, in Bregenz • 91st Landwehrstammregiment, in Lochau (Area Security Zone 91) Under the area defence strategy, which determined the army's structure until 1993, the army was divided into three principal elements: the standing alert force () of active units, including the 1st Panzergrenadier Division and the air division; the mobile militia (), organized as eight mechanized reserve brigades to be deployed to key danger spots in the event of mobilization; and the stationary militia () of twenty-six reserve infantry regiments organized for territorial defence. The Austrian soldiers used Leopard 2A4 tanks during the competition. The dress uniform is grey; for formal occasions a white uniform may be worn. == Organization ==

The armed forces consist solely of the army, of which the air force is considered a constituent part. In reality, the Chancellor has the decision-making authority, exercised through the Minister for National Defence. The Chancellor also chairs the National Defence Council, which has as its members a vice-chairman, the minister for national defence, an appointee of this minister, the Chief of the General Staff, and a parliamentary representative. The minister for national defence, acting in co-operation with the minister for interior, coordinates the work of the four major committees under the National Defence Council: the Military Defence Committee; the Civil Defence Committee; the Economic Defence Committee; and the Psychological Defence Committee. The Chief of the General Staff acts as the senior military adviser to the Minister for National Defence, assists the minister in the exercise of his authority, and, as the head of the general staff, is responsible for planning. However, the army commander exercises direct operational control of the Bundesheer in both peacetime and wartime. Article 79 of the constitution, as amended in 1985, states that the Army is entrusted with the military defence of the country. Insofar as the legally constituted civil authority requests its co-operation, the army is further charged with protecting constitutional institutions and their capacity to act, as well as the democratic freedoms of the inhabitants; maintaining order and security in the interior; and rendering aid in disasters and mishaps of extraordinary scope. In administering the armed forces, the Ministry for National Defence is organized into four principal sections and the inspectorate general: Section I deals with legal and legislative matters; Section II handles personnel and recruitment matters, including discipline and grievances; Section III is concerned with troop command, schools, and other facilities, and it also comprises departments G-1 through G-5 as well as a separate department for air operations; and Section IV deals with procurement and supply, quartermaster matters, armaments, and ordnance. The general troop inspectorate is a separate section of the ministry with responsibility for co-ordination and fulfilment of the missions of the armed forces. It encompasses a general staff department, an attaché department, and planning and inspection groups. Mission The main constitutional tasks of today's Austrian military are: • to protect the constitutionally established institutions and the population's democratic freedoms. • to maintain order and security inside the country. • to render assistance in the case of natural catastrophes and disasters of exceptional magnitude. Ranks Of the eight enlisted ranks, only a sergeant (Wachtmeister) or above is considered an NCO. There are two warrant officer ranks—Offiziersstellvertreter and Vizeleutnant. The lowest commissioned rank of officer candidate (Fähnrich)—is held by cadets at the military academy and by reserve officers in training for the rank second lieutenant. To maintain conformity with grade levels in the civil service, there are only two ranks of general in the personnel system—brigadier general (one star) and general lieutenant (three stars). However, the ranks of major general (two stars) and full general (equivalent to four stars) are accorded to officers holding particular military commands. ==Branches==

Unit locations Air Force Austria's air force () has as its missions the defence of Austrian airspace, tactical support of Austrian ground forces, reconnaissance and military transport, and search-and-rescue support when requested by civil authorities. Until 1985, when the first of twenty-four Saab 35 Draken were delivered, the country had remained essentially without the capacity to contest violations of its airspace. The Drakens, reconditioned after having served the Swedish Air Force since the early 1960s, were armed, in accordance with the restrictions on missiles in the State Treaty of 1955, only with a cannon. However, following Austria's revised interpretation of its obligations under the treaty, a decision was made in 1993 to procure AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The first of these missiles were purchased from Swedish air force inventory, while later a higher performance model was acquired directly from the United States, with deliveries commencing in 1995. French Mistral surface-to-air missiles systems were purchased to add ground-based protection against air attack. The first of the systems arrived in Austria in 1993; final deliveries concluded in 1996. The Drakens were retired in 2005 and 12 F-5E Tiger II were leased from Switzerland to avoid a gap in the Austrian air defence capabilities until the first Austrian Eurofighter Typhoon units became operational in 2007. Besides one squadron of 15 Eurofighter Typhoons, the air force had a squadron with 28 Saab 105 trainers, which doubled as reconnaissance and close air support planes. The helicopter fleet includes AB 212 helicopters used as light transport. 24 French Alouette III were in service as search-and-rescue helicopters until 2024. Furthermore, the air force fields OH-58B Kiowa as light scout helicopters. After Austria had to request assistance from the United States Army, Swiss Air Force, French Air Force, and German Bundeswehr to evacuate survivors after the 1999 Galtür Avalanche a decision was taken to equip the Austrian Air Force with medium-sized transport helicopters. Thus in 2002 Austria acquired 9 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. In 2003 the air force received 3 C-130K Hercules transport aircraft to support the armed forces in their UN peacekeeping and humanitarian activities. Special Operations Forces The Jagdkommando (lit. Hunting Command) is the Austrian Armed Forces' Special Operations group. The duties of this elite unit match those of its foreign counterparts, such as the United States Army Special Forces and British Special Air Service being amongst others counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency. Jagdkommando soldiers are highly trained professionals whose thorough and rigorous training enables them to take over when tasks or situations outgrow the capabilities and specialization of conventional units. ==Conscription, training and reserves==

training and M88 Recovery Vehicle of the 14th Tank Battalion Until 1971, Austrian males were obligated to serve nine months in the armed forces, followed by four days of active service every two years for training and inspection. In the early 1990s, about 45,000 conscripts completed their initial military training every year, and 80,000 reservists participated in some form of exercises each year. Since then the army reserve battalions (Miliz) are suffering from a lack of new reservists and are therefore overaging. Under a 1974 law, conscientious objectors can be assigned work as medical orderlies, or other occupations in lieu of military service. All service branches are open for female volunteers. In a public opinion survey in 1988, about 66 percent of those polled approved of opening the military to voluntary service by women; only nine percent favoured obligatory service. ==Equipment==

The Austrian military has a wide variety of equipment. Recently, Austria has spent considerable amounts of money modernizing its military arsenal. Leopard 2 main battle tanks, Ulan and Pandur infantry fighting vehicles, C-130 Hercules transport planes, S-70 Black Hawk utility helicopters, and Eurofighter Typhoon multi-purpose combat aircraft have been purchased, along with new helicopters to replace the inadequate ones used after the 1999 Galtür Avalanche. == International operations ==

-MSU Pandur I near the New Bridge, in Mitrovica, Kosovo. (2011). Currently (2024) there are forces in: • • EUFOR Althea (former SFOR) • 292 personnel • since 2 December 2004 under European Union Command • • KFOR (within the MSU until 2013) • 273 personnel • • UNIFIL • 175 personnel • UNTSO • 4 personnel • • EUMM Georgia • 3 personnel • • UNFICYP • 3 personnel • Mediterranean Sea • EU NAVFOR Med • 6 personnel • • OSCE • 4 personnel • • MINURSO • 4 personnel == Traditions ==

Some of the traditions of the old Austro-Hungarian Army continue to be carried on in . For example, the most famous regiment in the Bundesheer is the "Hoch und Deutschmeister Regiment", now known as Jägerbataillon Wien 1 based in "Maria Theresien Kaserne", named after Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. Also nearly every other regiment of the Bundesheer carries on traditions of the famous Austro-Hungarian regiments like "Kaiserjäger", "Rainer", etc. == See also ==