Austrian Armed Forces
Template:Short description Template:Redirect Template:Use Oxford spelling Template:Infobox national military
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The Austrian Armed Forces (Template:Langx) are the combined military forces of Austria.
The military consists of 16,000 active-duty personnel and 125,600 reservists.<ref name=IISS2021/> The military budget is 1.0% of national GDP (including pensions) or €3.317 billion (2023,without pensions).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
HistoryEdit
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InterwarEdit
In 1918, the Republic of German-Austria established a military known as the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ("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 {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ("Federal Army"), which it has been known by ever since. In 1938, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 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 Austria was annexed by the Germans in the same year during the Anschluss. Under German rule, the {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} was disbanded, and many Austrians served during World War II in the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS (Austrian SS).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
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
- Ausbildung in der Gruppe (18480913048).jpg
Troops training with M1 Garands during the 1950s
Cold WarEdit
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 Template:Ill 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<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and the army began to shrink, which accelerated with the "Gesamte Rechtsvorschrift für Wehrgesetz 1990" (Template:Ill of 31.12.1992).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
RaumverteidigungEdit
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.<ref name="Kurier">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref name="Kurier" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Rauchensteiner">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Lampersberger">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Steiger">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Strategic considerationsEdit
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.<ref name="Rauchensteiner" /><ref name="Lampersberger" />
After taking Sankt Pölten the Austrian armed forces expected the combined Warsaw Pact forces to strike West to take possession of the Linz-Steyr-Wels, supported by an advance of two Czechoslovak People's Army divisions through the Mühlviertel to the North of Linz. After taking possession of the Linz basin the Warsaw Pact attack would have continued into Bavaria. The Austrian military also expected an advance by up to three Hungarian People's Army divisions, supported by Romanian People's Army units, into Styria and across the Soboth Pass and Pack Saddle towards Klagenfurt and Villach, from where the Eastern forces could turn South towards the Italian Army's 5th Army Corps or West towards the Italian 4th Alpine Army Corps.<ref name="Lampersberger" />
While it was imagined that NATO troops could likewise use Austria as a stepping stone for invasions of the Warsaw Pact countries, such a scenario was considered highly unlikely, unrealistic and eventually remained theoretical in strategic realization.
Initial dispositionsEdit
In 1978 the Austrian Armed Forces enacted its new concept of Raumverteidigung. The Raumverteidigung divided the entire nation into Key Zones (Schlüsselzonen), Area Security Zones (Raumsicherungszonen), and Subzones (Teilzonen). Key zones were set up in those areas of the national territory, which an aggressor had to take possession of in order to achieve his military goals. Area security zones were set up to deny an aggressor the possibility to bypass key zones and prevent the massing, movement, supply, and maintenance of enemy units. Operationally the aim was to block the direct march lines through layered defenses in the key zones and to prevent an aggressor from freely using the space in the area security zones through mobile warfare. Both types of zones were to be defended by militia formations.<ref name="Rauchensteiner" /><ref name="Lampersberger" /><ref name="Keusch/Halbartschlager">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Steiger" />
The four subzones formed the Central Area in Austria's mountainous interior, which was outside of the anticipated main axis of a Warsaw Pact advance. In the event of an attack and an occupation of most of Austria, one or more the sub zones would form the national territory, which would justify the continuation of Austria as a subject of international law. The central area was therefore of essential importance and had to be defended at its entrances. The Army Command and Austrian government would have retreat to a bunker complex in St Johann im Pongau in the central area.<ref name="Kurier" /> Furthermore, the central area acted as main depot of Austria's war stocks. The capital Vienna would not have been defended and was therefore excluded from defense preparations.<ref name="Rauchensteiner" /><ref name="Lampersberger" /><ref name="Steiger" />
Geographically the country was divided into 34 areas:
- 10 Key zones
- 19 Area security zones
- 1 reinforced key area designated Block Zone 33 (Sperrzone 33)
- 4 Sub zones / Central Area
Each key zone and area security zone, and Block Zone 33 were overseen during peacetime by a Landwehrstammregiment, which were tasked with training the militia forces needed for the defense of their assigned zone.<ref name="Steiger" /> The Landwehrstammregiments consisted of a staff company, training companies, a supply train, and mobilization depots. Some of the Landwehrstammregiment also trained and fielded an active Jäger battalion. In case of war the Landwehrstammregiments would have reformed as Landwehr Regiments with various types of militia battalions and companies, allowing the regiments to fight delaying actions from fortified positions as well has hit and run attacks on enemy formations trying to pass through their zone. The Landwehr regiments formed the area-bound Landwehr and fielded the following types of Landwehr units:<ref name="Rauchensteiner" /><ref name="Lampersberger" />
- Landwehr battalions (Landwehrbataillone) tasked with defending their zone
- Blocking battalions and companies (Sperrbataillone and Sperrkompanien) tasked to man more than 500 bunkers and fortified positions<ref name="Kurier" />
- Jagdkampf battalions and companies (Jagdkampfbataillone and Jagdkampfkompanien) tasked to fight behind enemy lines and disrupt enemy supply lines
- River-blocking companies (Flusssperrkompanien) tasked with blocking river fords
- Guard companies (Wachkompanien) tasked to guard key infrastructure
- Guard-blocking companies (Wachsperrkompanien) tasked to guard and defend key transport infrastructure, and to prevent the enemy from capturing it
- Stationary artillery batteries (Artilleriebatterie ortsfest) with M2 155mm howitzers in bunkers to lay suppressing fire on enemy approach routes
Operationally the country was divided initially into three operational areas (Operationsraum), which were commanded by the Army Command.<ref name="Lampersberger" />
- Operational Area East under Corps Command I, in Graz, encompassing the states of Vienna, Burgenland, Steiermark and Lower Austria, the latter without Key Zone 35
- Operational Area Center under Corps Command II, in Salzburg, encompassing the states of Kärnten, Salzburg and Upper Austria, Key Zone 35, and East Tyrol
- Operational Area West under Military Command Tyrol, in Innsbruck, encompassing the states of Tyrol (without East Tyrol) and Vorarlberg (later merged into Operational Area Center)
The Air Division and army's support troops were under direct Army Command. In wartime the operational commands would command nine brigades, which formed the mobile Landwehr. The mobile Landwehr was the Austrian armed forces reserve, which once the intentions of the opponent were determined, could be used to counterattack enemy formations. The mobile Landwehr consisted of six light Jäger brigades, which would only be fully manned during wartime, and three Panzergrenadier brigades, equipped with main battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, which were fully manned at all times. The staffs of the six Jäger brigades would have been formed upon war by the armed forces military commands, which in peacetime had territorial functions in the states. The three Panzergrenadier brigades were assigned to the 1st Panzergrenadier Division and based along the Danube valley from Vienna to Linz.<ref name="Rauchensteiner" /><ref name="Lampersberger" />
Raumverteidigung OrganizationEdit
Each Austrian military command was numbered from 1 to 9, with all zones and units assigned to the command or part of the command starting with the same number. The only exception was the 9th Panzergrenadier Brigade, which carried the number of the Vorarlberg Military Command in the extreme West of the country, but was based near Vienna in the East of the country and manned by conscripts from Vienna. The Austrian military commands of the Raumverteidigung concept, their assigned number, zones and main units during peacetime were:<ref name="Rauchensteiner" />
- Burgenland Military Command - No. 1, in Eisenstadt
- Vienna Military Command - No. 2, in Vienna
- 2nd Jäger Brigade, in Vienna (in wartime assigned to Lower Austria Military Command)
- 21st Landwehrstammregiment, in Vienna (Area Security Zone 21 in Lower Austria)
- Lower Austria Military Command - No. 3, in Sankt Pölten
- 3rd Panzergrenadier Brigade, in Mautern an der Donau (based in the Area Security Zone 31)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- 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)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Keusch/Halbartschlager" />
- 36th Landwehrstammregiment (Area Security Zone 36, formation suspended with the 1987 reform)
- Upper Austria Military Command - No. 4, in Linz
- 4th Panzergrenadier Brigade, in Linz (covering Block Zone 45)
- 41st Landwehrstammregiment, in Steyr (Block Zone 41)
- 42nd Landwehrstammregiment, in Linz (Area Security Zone 42)
- 43rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Wels (Area Security Zone 43)
- 44th Landwehrstammregiment, in Kirchdorf an der Krems (Area Security Zone 44)
- Styria Military Command - No. 5, in Graz
- 5th Jäger Brigade, in Graz
- 51st Landwehrstammregiment (Area Security Zone 51, formation suspended with the 1987 reform)
- 52nd Landwehrstammregiment, in Feldbach (Area Security Zone 52)
- 53rd Landwehrstammregiment, in Straß (Key Zone 53)<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- 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 ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) of active units, including the 1st Panzergrenadier Division and the air division; the mobile militia ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), organized as eight mechanized reserve brigades to be deployed to key danger spots in the event of mobilization; and the stationary militia ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) of twenty-six reserve infantry regiments organized for territorial defence.<ref name=":0" /> Both the mobile militia and the stationary militia were brought up to strength only in times of mobilization or during periods allotted for refresher training, usually three weeks in June.<ref name=":0" /> Training of conscripts was conducted by twenty-eight training and equipment-holding regiments ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}).<ref name=":0" /> On mobilization, these regiments would disband, with their cadre reassigned to lead reserve units or form replacement regiments and battalions.<ref name=":0" />
At the army level were a headquarters, guard, and special forces battalions and an artillery battalion at cadre strength.<ref name=":0" /> Two corps headquarters, one in the east at Graz and one in the west at Salzburg, would, on mobilization, command the provincially organized units in their respective zones.<ref name=":0" /> Each corps included artillery, antitank, antiaircraft, and engineering battalions, and a logistics regiment, all on a cadre basis.<ref name=":0" />
Each of the nine provincial military commands supervised the training and maintenance activities of their training and equipment-holding regiments.<ref name=":0" /> On mobilization, these nine commands would convert to a divisional headquarters commanding mobile militia, stationary militia, and other independent units.<ref name=":0" />
The only active units immediately available in an emergency were those of the standing alert force of some 15,000 career soldiers supplemented by eight-month conscripts.<ref name=":0" /> The force was organized as a mechanized division consisting of three armored infantry brigades.<ref name=":0" /> Each brigade was composed of one tank battalion, one mechanized infantry battalion, and one self-propelled artillery battalion.<ref name=":0" /> Two of the brigades had antitank battalions equipped with self-propelled weapons.<ref name=":0" /> The divisional headquarters was at Baden bei Wien near Vienna;<ref name=":0" /> the 3rd, 4th, and 9th Brigades were based in separate locations, also in the northeast of the country.Template:Citation needed 3rd Brigade was at Mautern an der Donau, 4th at Linz, and 9th Brigade at Götzendorf an der Leitha.Template:Citation needed
Post-Cold WarEdit
The New Army Structure—the reorganization plan announced in late 1991 and scheduled to be in place sometime in 1995—replaces the previous two-corps structure with one of three corps.<ref name=":0" /> The new corps is headquartered at Baden, with responsibility for the two northeastern provinces of Lower Austria and Upper Austria.<ref name=":0" /> Army headquarters will be eliminated, as will the divisional structure for the three standing brigades.<ref name=":0" /> The three corps—in effect, regional commands—will be directly subordinate to the general troop inspector.<ref name=":0" /> The three mechanized brigades will be placed directly under the new Third Corps at Baden, although in the future one brigade may be assigned to each of the three corps.<ref name=":0" /> The mobile militia will be reduced from eight to six mechanized brigades.<ref name=":0" /> Each of the nine provincial commands will have at least one militia regiment of two to six battalions as well as local defence companies.<ref name=":0" />
Total personnel strength—both standing forces and reserves—is to be materially contracted under the new plan.<ref name=":0" /> The fully mobilized army will decline in strength from 200,000 to 120,000.<ref name=":0" /> The standing alert force will be reduced from 15,000 to 10,000.<ref name=":0" /> Reaction time is to be radically shortened so that part of the standing alert force can be deployed within hours to a crisis zone (for example, one adjacent to the border with Slovenia).<ref name=":0" /> A task force ready for immediate deployment will be maintained by one of the mechanized brigades on a rotational basis.<ref name=":0" /> Separate militia training companies to which all conscripts are assigned will be dismantled; in the future, conscripts will undergo basic training within their mobilization companies.<ref name=":0" /> Conscripts in the final stages of their training could supplement the standing forces by being poised for operational deployment at short notice.<ref name=":0" />
Promotion is not based solely on merit but on position attained, level of education, and seniority.<ref name=":0" /> Officers with advanced degrees (for which study at the National Defence Academy qualifies) can expect to attain grade VIII before reaching the retirement age of sixty to sixty-five.<ref name=":0" /> Those with a baccalaureate degree can expect to reach grade VII (colonel).<ref name=":0" /> Career NCOs form part of the same comprehensive personnel structure.<ref name=":0" /> It is common for NCOs to transfer at some stage in their careers to civilian status at the equivalent grade, either in the Ministry for National Defence or in the police or prison services after further training.<ref name=":0" />
Strong Europe Tank Challenge 2017Edit
Austria took first place in the Strong Europe Tank Challenge 2017 as six nations and partner nations battled it out in Grafenwoehr, Germany. The Austrian tankers defeated teams from France, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and from the United States in the exercise.<ref name="army.mil">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Austrian soldiers used Leopard 2A4 tanks during the competition.<ref name="army.mil" />
2019 Uniform changesEdit
Since 2019 the new service uniform with a six colour camouflage pattern is issued, but the old service uniform in olive is still widespread and will be taken out of service very slowly.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The dress uniform is grey; for formal occasions a white uniform may be worn.<ref name=":0" /> The air force uniform is identical, with the addition of wings worn on the right jacket breast—gold for officers and silver for enlisted personnel.<ref name=":0" /> Branches of service are identified by beret colours: scarlet for the honour Guard; green for infantry; black for armour; cherry for airborne; and dark blue for quartermaster.<ref name=":0" /> Insignia of rank are worn on the jacket lapel of the dress uniform (silver stars on a green or gold shield) and on the epaulets of the field uniform (white, silver or gold stars on an olive drab field).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0" />
OrganizationEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The armed forces consist solely of the army, of which the air force is considered a constituent part.<ref name=":0" /> In 1993, the total active complement of the armed forces was 52,000, of whom 20,000 to 30,000 were conscripts undergoing training of six to eight months.<ref name=":0" /> The army had 46,000 personnel on active duty (including an estimated 19,500 conscripts), and the air force had 6,000 personnel (2,400 conscripts).<ref name=":0" />
GovernanceEdit
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Under the constitution, the President is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> In reality, the Chancellor has the decision-making authority, exercised through the Minister for National Defence.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> However, the army commander exercises direct operational control of the Bundesheer in both peacetime and wartime.<ref name=":0" />
Article 79 of the constitution, as amended in 1985, states that the Army is entrusted with the military defence of the country.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref name=":0" /> It encompasses a general staff department, an attaché department, and planning and inspection groups.<ref name=":0" />
MissionEdit
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.
RanksEdit
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Of the eight enlisted ranks, only a sergeant (Wachtmeister) or above is considered an NCO.<ref name=":0" /> There are two warrant officer ranks—Offiziersstellvertreter and Vizeleutnant.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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).<ref name=":0" /> However, the ranks of major general (two stars) and full general (equivalent to four stars) are accorded to officers holding particular military commands.<ref name=":0" />
BranchesEdit
Unit locationsEdit
Air ForceEdit
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Austria's air force (Template:Langx) 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.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=":0" /> French Mistral surface-to-air missiles systems were purchased to add ground-based protection against air attack.<ref name=":0" /> The first of the systems arrived in Austria in 1993; final deliveries concluded in 1996.<ref name=":0" />
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 has a squadron with 28 Saab 105 trainers, which double as reconnaissance and close air support planes.
The helicopter fleet includes 23 AB 212 helicopters used as light transport. 24 French Alouette III are in service as search-and-rescue helicopters. Furthermore, the air force fields 10 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 ForcesEdit
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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 reservesEdit
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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.<ref name=":0" /> In 1971 the period of initial service was reduced to six months, followed by a total of sixty days of refresher training in the reserves.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="HronikaBelgrade">Template:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name=":0" />
Reducing the mobilization strength of the army to 120,000 under the New Army Structure plan is to be accomplished in part by limiting initial training of recruits to six months, followed by reducing the period allotted for refresher training from twenty years to ten years.<ref name=":0" /> Each reservist is to receive training over a twelve-day period every second year during his first ten years of reserve duty, generally not extending beyond the time he reaches his mid-thirties.<ref name=":0" /> The reduced need for conscripts corresponds to a lower pool of young men because of a declining birth rate.<ref name=":0" /> The availability of about 40,000 fit trainees annually in 1993 was expected to fall to barely 30,000 by 2000 and to 26,000 by 2015.<ref name=":0" />
In 2006 conscription was reduced to six months total. Mandatory reserve training was abolished.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Since then the army reserve battalions (Miliz) are suffering from a lack of new reservists and are therefore overaging.Template:Citation needed
Under a 1974 law, conscientious objectors can be assigned work as medical orderlies, or other occupations in lieu of military service.<ref name=":0" /> Exemptions from service are liberally granted—in 1992 about 12,000 persons were exempted, a great increase over the 1991 total of 4,500.<ref name=":0" /> The increase occurred after a new law, valid only for 1992 and 1993, no longer required young men to present their objections to the military in a credible way.<ref name=":0" /> Previously, that had not been the case.<ref name=":0" /> In 1990, for example, two young men rejected by the alternate service commission on the grounds that they did not present their beliefs in a credible manner were sentenced to prison terms of three months and one month, respectively.<ref name=":0" />
Conscripts may attain the rank of private first class by the completion of initial training.<ref name=":0" /> Those with leadership potential may serve a longer period to obtain noncommissioned officer (NCO) status in the militia.<ref name=":0" /> Those volunteering for the career service can, after three to four years, apply to attend the NCO academy and later a senior NCO course to qualify as warrant officers.<ref name=":0" /> Both regular and militia officer candidates undergo a one-year program of basic training.<ref name=":0" /> After a further three years, regular officer candidates attending the military academy at Wiener Neustadt and militia officer candidates undergoing periodic intensified refresher training qualify as second lieutenants.<ref name=":0" /> The reserve obligation of conscripts generally ends by the time they reach their mid-thirties; NCOs and officers usually end their reserve status at a later age depending on their rank and specialization.<ref name=":0" /> By the early 1990s, some 1.3 million men had completed their initial service and refresher training obligations and had no further active-duty commitment.<ref name=":0" />
The military personnel system is an integral part of a comprehensive civil service system.<ref name=":0" /> The nine officer ranks from officer candidate through general correspond to grades I through IX of the civil service system.<ref name=":0" /> The highest grade, IX, may be occupied by a section chief (undersecretary), a career ambassador, or a three-star general.<ref name=":0" /> A grade VIII position may be held by a departmental counselor, a career minister, or a brigadier general.<ref name=":0" /> Salary levels are the same for both civil and military personnel in the equivalent grades, although various allowances may be added, such as flight pay or hazardous-duty pay.<ref name=":0" />
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The system of promotion in the Austrian military, which offers no incentive for early retirement, means that the military is top-heavy with senior officers.<ref name=":0" /> The New Army Structure, which is intended to result in many fewer active-duty and reserve commands, compounds the difficulty.<ref name=":0" /> Personnel changes can be implemented only gradually, as the surplus of officers shrinks by attrition.<ref name=":0" /> In 1991, the army had four officers of general rank, fifty-nine at the rank of brigadier general (one star), 155 colonels, and 254 lieutenant colonels.<ref name=":0" /> The education of career officers is conducted at the Maria Theresia Military Academy at Wiener Neustadt, forty-five kilometres south of Vienna, which was founded in 1752.<ref name=":0" /> Young men who have completed their university entrance requirements are eligible to compete for places.<ref name=":0" /> The three-year course graduated 212 students in 1990.<ref name=":0" /> At the National Defence Academy in Vienna, which has a curriculum comparable to those of the National Defence University and the Army War College in the United States, operational and troop commanders of field-grade rank study for three years in preparation for general staff and command positions.<ref name=":0" /> The NCO school is located at Enns near Linz.<ref name=":0" /> Troop schools provide continuous specialized courses for officers and NCOs in artillery, air defence, armour, combat engineering, communications, and the like.<ref name=":0" />
In 1998 the Austrian government approved women's membership in the Austrian Armed Forces.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> All service branches are open for female volunteers.Template:Citation needed 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.<ref name=":0" />
EquipmentEdit
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 operationsEdit
Currently (2024) there are {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} forces in:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Template:Flag
- EUFOR Althea (former SFOR)
- 292 personnel
- since 2 December 2004 under European Union Command
- Template:Flag
- Template:Flag
- Template:Flag
- EUMM Georgia
- 3 personnel
- Template:Flag
- UNFICYP
- 3 personnel
- Template:Flag Mediterranean Sea
- EU NAVFOR Med
- 6 personnel
- Template:Flag
- OSCE
- 4 personnel
- Template:Flag
- MINURSO
- 4 personnel
TraditionsEdit
Some of the traditions of the old Austro-Hungarian Army continue to be carried on in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}. 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 alsoEdit
- Austria–NATO relations
- Austrian conscription referendum, 2013
- Austrian Military Police - Kommando Militärstreife & Militärpolizei (Kdo MilStrf&MP)
- Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
- Heeresnachrichtenamt
- Theresian Military Academy
CitationsEdit
ReferencesEdit
- Template:Cite book
- CIA World Factbook, 2005
- Christopher Eger, The Final End of the Austrian Navy, on the site militaryhistory.suite101.com, 2006
External linksEdit
- Template:Official website
- Overview of the Austrian Armed Forces
- Austrian Army reforms spawn hybrid recce and artillery units
- Austrian military ranks at official homepage Template:Webarchive
Template:Austria topics Template:European Union Armed Forces Template:Military of Europe Template:Armies in Europe Template:Authority control